Fostering regenerative resilience in Europe’s rural landscapes

Across Europe, rural communities face increasing climate risks from flash floods to droughts that threaten livelihoods and ecosystems. Yet these landscapes hold immense potential for transformation. The NURISH project aims to unlock this potential, supporting regenerative, resilient futures through community-led innovation, nature-based solutions, and digital tools.

A new chapter for rural resilience

Rural regions cover over 80% of Europe’s territory and are home to nearly a third of its population. Beyond producing much of Europe’s food, they safeguard biodiversity, cultural heritage, and essential ecosystem services. But limited financial resources, skills gaps, and the digital divide often make it difficult for these communities to plan and adapt to climate change.

NURISH: NURturing transformative capacities, Innovation in nature-based Solutions, and Harmonious resilience in rural areas

is funded by the European Commission under Horizon Europe and brings together 27 partners from nine countries to empower rural communities to lead climate resilience and sustainable development by combining innovation, nature-based solutions, and digital tools.

Through a combination of human-centered approaches, nature-based solutions, and digital innovation, NURISH builds resilient rural communities that can adapt global challenges to local realities.

Building the foundations of regenerative rural resilience

At its core, NURISH is guided by four interconnected pillars that together form the Regenerative Rural Resilience Framework (RRRF). These pillars emphasise that rural transformation must be as much about people and governance as it is about technology and nature.

Empowering skills & capacities
NURISH helps communities build knowledge and confidence through training, digital tools, and partnerships, ensuring solutions are locally relevant and co-owned.
Co-created systemic change
By bringing together citizens, researchers, businesses, and policymakers, NURISH fosters collaborative strategies that strengthen governance, shared responsibility, and community agency.
Nature-based innovation & green economy
Integrating Nature-based Solutions (NbS) like wetland restoration, regenerative agriculture, and circular waste management, NURISH mitigates climate impacts while creating jobs, social enterprises, and biodiversity benefits.
Digital tools for resilience
Advanced digital technologies, including Digital Twins and Extended Reality, help communities monitor environments, test adaptation measures, and make evidence-based decisions, connecting remote areas to expertise across Europe.

Living Labs: Innovation in real rural contexts

NURISH’s Living Labs demonstrate locally tailored solutions like Greece’s wetland-solar systems, Cyprus’s circular composting, and Finland’s lake restoration while engaging communities in hands-on experimentation. These hubs test scalable approaches that merge environmental, technological, and social innovation.

IHS: Connecting research, practice and people

As the lead of Work Package 2 and in collaboration with the National Technological University of Athens, Imperial College London, Tecnalia and the Institute of Communication and Computer Systems, IHS will develop community profiles, map local capacities, and define digital tool specifications to support nature-based solutions. The IHS project team will also contribute to co-creation and participatory impact assessment, keeping community voices central to climate resilience efforts. Representing IHS are Elena Marie Enseñado, Charmae Pyl Wissink-Nercua, Pamela Durán-Díaz, Qian Ke, Carolina Lunetta, and Abbie Arcena.

The journey begins in Athens

The official kick-off of NURISH will take place in Athens, Greece, from 22–24 October 2025, bringing together all consortium partners to launch a five-year journey toward resilient, regenerative, and digitally empowered rural communities. Over the next five years, NURISH will show how rural Europe can thrive at the intersection of climate resilience, nature restoration, and digital innovation, turning local action into transformative change.