Rural communities are at the heart of Europe’s identity and at the frontline of climate change. From scorching heatwaves and prolonged droughts to floods and wildfires, the effects of a changing climate are most strongly experienced where resources are often limited. That’s where REHUBS, a new Horizon Europe project, comes in. Its mission: to strengthen the resilience of rural and small-to-medium-sized communities across Europe by providing them with the tools, knowledge, and confidence to adapt to a changing climate.
A Holistic Approach to Climate Resilience
The overall goal of the project is to empower rural and small/medium local communities to enhance their climate resilience, promote their twin green and digital transition, and contribute to the broader goals of climate adaptation in Europe.
REHUBS brings together innovative technology, tailored solutions, and community empowerment into one integrated framework. The project is developing practical, easy-to-use tools that directly address the needs of rural areas, helping communities prepare for and manage climate risks more effectively. Some of these innovations include:
- A Climate Risk Assessment model to identify vulnerabilities and guide planning,
- An Advanced Early Warning System for floods, droughts, and wildfires,
- Smart irrigation systems that optimise water use during dry periods,
- Circular water recovery treatments to reuse valuable resources, and
- A Risk Assessment and Adaptation Platform (RAAP) that recommends cost-effective, nature-based solutions.
- Α Rapid Wildfire Detection System
Four pillars of action
The project’s approach is structured around four key pillars that build on one another:
Understanding local needs: Every community is different. REHUBS starts by analysing regional climate scenarios, risks, and local challenges to ensure that solutions are truly place-based.
Developing tailored adaptation solutions: From early warning systems to biodiversity monitoring, the project designs tools that are scalable, cost-effective, and easy for non-experts to use.
Empowering people: Through participatory activities and an Online Academy, the project helps local stakeholders gain the skills and confidence to manage their climate challenges. The project also introduces innovative financing mechanisms to make adaptation sustainable in the long term.
Demonstrating real impact: REHUBS will test and validate its tools in four Demonstration Cases across Europe (and assess replication in three more regions), ensuring that the solutions are both practical and adaptable to different rural realities.
The concept of Rural Micro Hubs
At the center of REHUBS are the Rural Micro Hubs (RMHs), four local centers established around four Demonstration Cases, for training, collaboration, fostering peer-to-peer exchange and collaboration across the European network of rural communities. Acting as Living Labs for innovation, these hubs will bring together local authorities, farmers, researchers, and citizens to exchange experiences and co-create solutions that fit their specific needs. Let’s explore the Demonstration Cases in more detail.
Demo Cases
REHUBS targets four key regions across Europe, carefully selected to capture diverse climatic, geographic, and socio-economic conditions. In these locations, REHUBS will put its innovative, place-based solutions into action to strengthen rural resilience to climate change. Accordingly, four Demonstration Cases have been established in Greece, Spain, Portugal, and Lithuania, each tackling specific local challenges while showcasing adaptable solutions for a climate-resilient rural future. The Demo Cases are as follows:
Demo Case #1: In Greece, activities focus on the Region of Thessaly (Sofades and Tavropos Municipalities), addressing droughts, floods, and heatwaves through smart irrigation systems, real-time harmonization, reuse of runoff water, and nature-based solutions (NBS).
Demo Case #2: In Spain, the Demo Case in Manlleu, Catalonia, demonstrates early warning systems and flood and drought risk management tools to strengthen local resilience.
Demo Case #3: In Portugal, in the Beira Baixa province, the project tests AI-based wildfire monitoring and response systems to improve climate preparedness and protect ecosystems.
Demo Case #4: In Lithuania, the Šakiai region will showcase advanced biodiversity monitoring using UAVs (drones) and AI to support sustainable land and wildlife management.
The project’s solutions will not only be applied in these four areas but also replicated in three additional regions: Pomurje (Slovenia), South Nicosia–Idalion (Cyprus), and Međimurje (Croatia), ensuring that REHUBS’ innovations can be adapted to different rural contexts across Europe.
It is also important to note that each Demonstration Case brings together a network of partners working hand in hand with local stakeholders. Among them are the Case Study Facilitators (CSFs), who play a central role in coordinating activities on the ground, supporting data collection, and ensuring that the developed solutions meet the specific needs of each region. This participatory approach ensures that rural communities aren’t just recipients of technology, but they’re active partners in designing and testing it. In the map below, you can see the partners that will benefit from the solutions as end users and stakeholders, and the partners that will act as CFSs in the Demo Cases.
From Local Action to European Impact
REHUBS isn’t just about developing new tools; it’s about changing the way we think about climate adaptation. By integrating its solutions into local governance frameworks, the project helps ensure that resilience becomes part of everyday decision-making. Through collaboration with regional partners across Europe, including municipalities, research institutes, and innovation agencies, REHUBS aims to leave a long-term legacy: stronger, better-prepared rural communities capable of facing future climate challenges head-on.
A Sustainable, Climate-Resilient Future
As climate pressures intensify, projects like REHUBS remind us that innovation and collaboration are key to securing a sustainable future. By linking technology with local knowledge and community engagement, REHUBS is paving the way for more resilient rural regions where people and natural environments can thrive together.
By combining science, technology, and local experience, REHUBS aims to transform how rural areas anticipate and respond to climate threats.
Follow us on our journey to develop climate resilient rural communities!
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are, however, those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.