INTERREG-SUDOE Ruralsilverhubs Project: Improving the quality of life in rural areas by boosting the social economy in the Silver Economy

RuralSilverHubS addresses three common challenges in the Southwest region: aging, rural depopulation, and limited access to certain services. The increase in the over-55 population in rural areas creates new needs that require innovative solutions involving this group. Framed within RSO4.1, it seeks to revitalize rural areas by fostering entrepreneurial responses to improve the quality of life for the older population. This group is key to addressing its challenges and driving territorial transformation, decision-making, and the enhancement of resources, heritage, and the local community itself.

The main achievements are the creation of the “Social and Digital Innovation Labs in Depopulated Rural Environments” (RS-Labs) and the Rural Silver Economy Observatory (RSE). RS-Labs and RSE: Through RS-Labs, synergies are created among key stakeholders in the region, promoting entrepreneurial initiatives that address the challenges identified by the silver population. RuralSilverHubS brings the silver economy to rural areas and also responds to the needs of the silver population, generating new jobs that encourage young locals to remain in their communities while attracting new talent to rural villages. This provides an innovative, multi-stakeholder solution to the aging and depopulation of rural areas.