Project Summary

The GRANULAR project - Giving Rural Actors Novel data and re-Useable tools to Lead public Action in Rural areas - aims to acquire new knowledge to characterise rural diversity. Using an interdisciplinary, multi-actor approach, GRANULAR will draw on 16 pilot territories across Europe to gain a better understanding of the complexity of the challenges facing rural areas.

The project is structured around 7 main areas of work. In particular, GRANULAR will contribute to

(i) advancing concepts and knowledge aimed at characterising rural diversity and refining the 'rural proofing' method;
(ii) proposing new data collection methods and developing new indicators for rural areas;
(iii) field testing of tools and indicators by the multi-stakeholder network involved in the project.
Among the tools developed, GRANULAR will create a 'rural compass', adapted to the characteristics of rural areas and taking into account local needs, which will aim to inform political decision-makers and rural stakeholders in the design of rural policies adapted to fair, resilient and inclusive development.