The InnovationGUIDE consortium hosted a highly successful event as part of Türkiye Innovation Week, which brought together participants from Turkey, Spain, the Netherlands, and Malta. With over 15,000 attendees across the three-day event, our session stood out for its collaborative spirit, insights into rural innovation, and interactive discussions on the future of rural development.

The session began with a keynote presentation by Diana Miceli, EIT Community Officer for Malta. Diana’s talk focused on how individuals and organizations can engage with the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) across Europe. She highlighted the various programs and services EIT offers to entrepreneurs, explaining how they can leverage these tools to drive innovation in rural communities. From mentorship to funding opportunities, Diana emphasized the institution’s role in fostering entrepreneurial growth, particularly in underrepresented regions.

Next, Eva López Barrio, from the University of Santiago de Compostela, addressed the critical issue of gender disparity in entrepreneurship. Eva discussed the challenges women face in the entrepreneurial space and how to bridge this gap through innovation and policy. Her talk provided compelling insights into the Innovatia 8.3 Program, which aims to integrate a gender perspective in university entrepreneurship programs. Eva shared important statistics highlighting the disparities between men and women in entrepreneurship and explained how this program actively supports female entrepreneurs in breaking these barriers, offering mentoring, training, and support services.

Following these insightful presentations, the session continued with a comprehensive review of the InnovationGUIDE project. The partners from all four countries shared the project’s latest developments and successes, showcasing how collaboration across sectors has driven rural development. The project’s work on sustainable agriculture, bioeconomy, and tourism was highlighted, demonstrating the power of cross-border cooperation in tackling rural challenges.

The event concluded with an interactive co-creation workshop where participants from academia, business, and entrepreneurship came together to generate innovative ideas for rural development. The workshop fostered an environment of creativity and collaboration, leading to the exchange of forward-thinking solutions that will shape the future of rural innovation.

This event was a significant milestone for the InnovationGUIDE project. It not only showcased the project’s successes but also opened up opportunities for continued collaboration beyond the project’s scope. The partners are committed to maintaining and strengthening these relationships, pushing forward innovation in rural communities through ongoing efforts.