EMPOWERING LOCAL DEVELOPMENT
Online course in PAR approach
The training consists of a series of courses offered by the University Jaume I (UJI), aimed at enhancing skills in social research, participatory tools, and sustainable development strategies.
Training Program Overview
The training program comprises 3 courses:
- Course 1: Social Research Techniques for Local Development
- Course 2: Participatory Tools for Community Development. Registration.
- Course 3: Participatory and Sustainable Local Development Strategies
Materials (videos and slides) are in Valencian, with subtitles/translations in Spanish, Italian, Slovenian, and English. The methodology includes live sessions with translation, self-paced video learning, assignments, and a final interactive session. Local presentations with language support will guide participants through the course. Evaluation is based on supervised practical assignments. A dedicated forum fosters participant interaction and collaboration. These are the link to the courses:
Last 4 local workshops to implement the course in PAR approach
Three events will be held to do a pilot implementation of PAR approach counting on the participation of local educators/specialists and community members to discuss and propose initiatives to address the challenges of climate change.
The three events will be at the 3 local communities (Italy, Spain and Slovenia) and the local event in Slovenia will coincide with the intermediate meeting. To foster community engagement and encourage participation, they will also include interactive activities and breakout sessions, where attendees can share their ideas and experiences.
SECOND LOCAL WORKSHOPS
The project partners held the second 4 local workshops (2 in Italy, 1 in Slovenia and 1 in Spain).These workshops provided a valuable space for dialogue, learning, and co-creation, highlighting that sustainable solutions start with informed and united youth.
They fostered collaboration and shared strategies to empower rural youth for climate resilience. The events brought together researchers, local actors, and university staff to explore methodologies strengthening university-community connections. Through open discussion, participants shared good practices and ongoing projects, analyzing strengths and weaknesses.
Diverse contributions helped build a collective vision to address climate challenges with creativity and collaboration. Ideas, proposals, and positive energy mark our path to a resilient, sustainable future
2nd and final webinar of the Erasmus+ project SURF – Sustainable Rural Future🌍
In the upcoming second webinar of the SURF project, all stakeholders involved so far, including participants from the first webinar, workshops, courses, project partners, rural agents, and the broader community, will come together.
The event will focus on sharing findings and insights gathered throughout the project, promoting collaboration and deepening the understanding of climate change adaptation challenges and solutions in rural areas. More details will be announced as the event approaches.
Over the past two years, partners from Spain, Italy, and Slovenia have worked together to strengthen rural resilience to climate change through participatory research, training, and networking.
In this webinar we:
✅ Shared the key results of the project (courses, workshops, and reports).
✅ Presented the Good Practice Guide and the interactive map showcasing how rural communities are adapting to climate change.
✅ Heard from invited expert Antonio Javier González Rueda, University of Cádiz, on Innovation, Sustainability and Participation in Rural Areas: a perspective from creativity, culture, and heritage.
✅ Introduced the SURF European Rural Network, inviting individuals and organisations to join and collaborate beyond the project.