The Spanish region of Extremadura and the Croatian Dubrovnik-Neretva County are some 30-hour drive apart, yet they face some of the main challenges as most other European rural areas do. As local communities are ageing, they are testing innovative digital solutions to counter depopulation and increase their appeal and quality of life. Within the EU project dRural, both regions have developed a virtual marketplace where users can not only sell their goods and ship their farm produce via a “Bla Bla Car-style” transport service, but also get more easily connected with health care professionals, home-aids and therapists. Moreover, two AI-based applications help farmers optimise their practices, which helps save money and preserve the environment.
