On 20–21 October 2026, the Horizon Europe project REHUBS (Rural Empowerment HUBS for climate resilience) participated in Synergy Days 2026, held in Kilkenny, Ireland. With the participation of consortium partners reframe.food and ITC Cluster, REHUBS joined researchers, innovators, EU-funded projects, and agri-food stakeholders for two days of knowledge exchange and networking, exploring the role of digital innovation in building a more sustainable and climate-resilient rural Europe.
Organised by the SmartAgriHubs community, with the support of the European Partnership Agriculture of Data (AgData), the event brought together Europe’s agri-food innovation community to exchange knowledge, showcase solutions, and foster new collaborations.
Presenting the REHUBS Vision for Rural Climate Resilience
A highlight of REHUBS’ participation was its project pitch on 20 October, delivered by Darja Kukovic, Senior Project Manager at ITC Cluster, during the second round of project presentations. The pitch introduced the project’s vision to empower rural and small-to-medium-sized communities across Europe to better anticipate, prepare for, and adapt to climate-related challenges.
As rural areas face increasingly frequent and intense climate risks, including droughts, floods, heatwaves, and wildfires, REHUBS aims to bridge the gap between advanced climate adaptation technologies and the practical needs of local communities.
To achieve this, the project brings together 27 partners from 12 European countries, combining expertise in climate science, digital innovation, water management, biodiversity, and rural development.
Connecting with Europe’s Agri-Food Innovation Community
Beyond the pitch, REHUBS welcomed visitors at Booth 13 in the Synergy Market, where project representatives had the opportunity to introduce the initiative, exchange insights, and engage with participants from across Europe’s research and innovation ecosystem.
These interactions provided a space to discuss common challenges, share experiences, and explore potential areas of cooperation with other EU-funded projects, technology providers, researchers, and stakeholders working towards more sustainable and resilient agri-food systems.
Participation in Synergy Days also helped strengthen the project’s visibility within the European innovation landscape, opening opportunities for knowledge sharing and future synergies with initiatives working on climate adaptation, digital transformation, and sustainable rural development.
Strengthening Rural Resilience Through Collaboration
For REHUBS, participation in Synergy Days 2026 reinforced the importance of connecting research and innovation with the needs of rural communities. Turning climate adaptation solutions into meaningful local action requires not only technological advances but also cooperation, knowledge sharing, and active stakeholder engagement.
By fostering such connections, REHUBS continues working towards its vision of equipping rural communities with practical, accessible solutions to strengthen their resilience to climate change.
REHUBS extends its sincere thanks to everyone who visited Booth 13, shared their insights, and contributed to inspiring conversations in Kilkenny.
