The Team
REROOTED brings together a consortium of 16 partners and 2 associated partners from 9 different countries. The consortium is composed of 5 Universities, 2 Research organisations, 1 EU-wide association, 1 network platform, and 8 Regional development agencies, local action groups & social enterprises.
STICHTING WAGENINGEN RESEARCH
Stichting Wageningen Research is a leading non-profit scientific organization and part of Wageningen University and Research. Wageningen Research has a strong international profile in integrated land use, spatial planning, governance, socio-economic and environmental systems. Its staff in REROOTED brings in long standing experience in collaborative research.
POLITECNICO DI TORINO
Politecnico di Torino (POLITO, Italy), through its Interuniversity Department of Regional and Urban Studies and Planning (DIST), is internationally recognised for research and teaching in governance of spatial transformations, regional and landscape planning, and urban and regional studies.
DIST combines expertise from architecture, engineering, and social sciences, and considers the territory in its physical, economic, social, political, cultural aspects and their interrelationships, in a integrated sustainability perspective. Partner of several international research projects and networks.
KOBENHAVNS UNIVERSITET
The University of Copenhagen (UCPH, Denmark) is among EU’s leading universities. The research at the Section of Landscape Architecture and Planning (part of Department of Geosciences and Natural Resource Management) addresses climate adaptation, spatial transformation, and ecology in parallel to cultural heritage, aesthetics, and democratic processes. We synthesise insights from the natural and social sciences, as well as from the humanities and arts, to provide critical knowledge, imagine future scenarios, and create tangible outcomes for the ongoing green transition.
ATHENS UNIVERSITY OF ECONOMICS AND BUSINESS - RESEARCH CENTER
The Research Laboratory on Socio-Economic and Environmental Sustainability (ReSEES.AE4RIA) at the Athens University of Economics and Business conducts interdisciplinary, policy-relevant research on sustainable development and the interactions between the economy, society, climate, energy, natural resources and the environment.
Founded and directed by Professor Phoebe Koundouri, ReSEES brings together expertise in economics, finance, environmental science, engineering, data science and the social sciences. It develops evidence-based transformation pathways that are environmentally sustainable, socially equitable, economically efficient and financially viable.
Its work combines socio-economic and econometric analysis, environmental and beyond-GDP valuation, integrated modelling, financial and risk analysis, life-cycle assessment, GIS, artificial intelligence and decision-support tools with stakeholder engagement, participatory co-design and Living Labs. Key areas include climate neutrality and resilience; sustainable seas and oceans; the water-food-energy-biodiversity nexus and land use; economics and finance; innovation acceleration; and education and capacity building.
ReSEES is a principal institutional anchor of AE4RIA, a global ecosystem involving more than 200 researchers and 20,000 members across 120 countries, over 100 international projects, more than 70 Living Labs and over 250 supported start-ups and spin-offs.
UNIVERSITY COLLEGE DUBLIN
UCD (founded in 1854) is one of Europe’s leading research-intensive universities, currently ranked within the top 1% of higher education institutions world-wide and is ranked 49th in the world in the QS Sustainability Ranking 2025. Over the past 5 years, UCD researchers have secured €722 million in research grants from national and international funding agencies, companies and foundations. The UCD School of Architecture, Planning & Environmental Policy (APEP) is a leading and influential centre of excellence for research related to spatial planning, spatial analysis, urban and rural change, and design (gaining a Field-Weighted Citation Impact Score of 2.69 i.e. research output is cited 169% more than the disciplinary average). APEP has a sustained and extensive track record of leading and participating in EU projects, including ERC grants, Horizon (e.g. HeritACT, RURACTIVE), and MSCA (e.g. C-Newtral).
EUROPEAN LEADER ASSOCIATION FOR RURAL DEVELOPMENT
European LEADER Association for Rural Development (ELARD Aisbl, Belgium) is an international non-profit association founded in 1999 in Belgium and set up to improve the quality of life in rural areas and to maintain their population through sustainable, integrated local development.
The distinctive feature of ELARD is that it brings together Local Action Groups (LAGs) committed to involving all stakeholders in rural development at the local level. The European LEADER Association brings together almost 2,600 Local Action Groups (LAGs) and Fisheries Local Action Groups (FLAGs) from more than 30 countries, including countries outside the European Union that have adopted and are implementing the LEADER methodology.
ELARD promotes the LEADER and Community-Led Local Development (CLLD) approach, supports rural and regional development through cooperation and knowledge exchange, and represents the interests of Local Action Groups at the European level.
TARTU ULIKOOL
Founded in 1632, the University of Tartu (UTARTU) is Estonia’s oldest and largest university, its national university, and the country’s leading research-intensive institution. It combines internationally recognised research with high-quality education across the humanities, social sciences, medicine, and science and technology. UTARTU is consistently ranked among the world’s leading universities in the QS World University Rankings (2027: 367) and in the 301–350 band of the Times Higher Education World University Rankings (2026).
With around 15,000 students, 4,500 employees, four faculties and 32 institutes, UTARTU accounts for approximately half of Estonia’s research output and doctoral degrees. It ranks among the world’s top 1% most cited research institutions in 15 research fields, while its researchers have an excellent track record in securing competitive international funding, including prestigious European Research Council (ERC) grants. This project is implemented by the Department of Geography at UTARTU, where the Geography discipline has consistently ranked among the world’s top 151–200 in the QS World University Rankings by Subject.
Through memberships in leading international university networks, including The Guild, the Coimbra Group, LERU-CE7 and the Europaeum, UTARTU actively contributes to European research and higher education. Its research addresses major global challenges, including health, digital transformation, sustainability, biodiversity, and the preservation of language and culture.
TARTUMAA ARENDUSSELTS
Tartumaa Arendusselts (Tartu County Development Association, TAS) is a non-profit Local Action Group (LAG) established in 2006 that promotes sustainable rural development in South Estonia through the LEADER approach. TAS brings together municipalities, businesses, and civil society organisations to strengthen regional cooperation, support community-led initiatives, and improve the quality of life in rural areas.
Guided by the seven LEADER principles, TAS manages local development funding and facilitates participatory decision-making. The organisation has extensive experience in initiating and coordinating development projects and participating in national and international cooperation initiatives. Its work spans community-led local development, youth engagement, Smart Villages, sustainable food systems, tourism, social inclusion, digitalisation, and innovation. TAS coordinates regional networks such as the Tartu County Food Network, bringing together more than 180 organisations, and the Emajõgi Network with around 60 partners promoting river-based tourism and heritage. The organisation has also successfully implemented initiatives such as the award-winning Youth Fund and the South Estonian Community Programme as part of the European Capital of Culture Tartu 2024.
TAS operates across most of Tartu County and a small part of Põlva County in South Estonia, covering nearly 3,000 km².
BALLYHOURA DEVELOPMENT
Ballyhoura Development is a community-led Local Development Company and registered charity serving East Limerick and North Cork since 1989. We work in partnership with communities, families, individuals, and businesses to create lasting social, economic, and environmental impact.
With over three decades of experience, we have successfully designed, coordinated, and delivered a wide range of national and European programmes, guided by a strong bottom-up approach that places local people at the heart of decision-making. Our work focuses on three key areas: community development, economic development, and environmental development.
Our vision is a region with empowered, inclusive communities and a diversified economy. Through collaboration and innovation, we help communities embrace new opportunities, reduce inequalities, and drive sustainable change. By supporting local enterprise, strengthening community capacity, and promoting environmental stewardship, we are helping to make the Ballyhoura region an attractive place to live, work, do business, and visit.
At the core of everything we do are our values of Inclusion, Integrity, and Innovation—ensuring that local voices shape a stronger, more resilient future for all.
F6S
F6S is a leading global founder and startup network that helps public sector entities around the world to promote, communicate and disseminate technical and research projects. F6S stands for F-ounder-S. Our mission is to help founders and their startups grow to solve the world’s pressing social, economic, environmental, sustainability and innovation problems. In addition to F6S’ work with governmental entities, we also work with corporates, investors, research institutions, programs, universities and others in the global startup ecosystem. F6S tools deliver company growth through grants, partnerships, funding, investment, pilot contracts, jobs & talent recruitment and company services.
ZAC! ZONE ATTIVE DI CITTADINANZA COOPERATIVA SOCIALE
ZAC! Zone Attive di Cittadinanza Social Cooperative (SCS ETS) manages the Movicentro in Ivrea with the aim of providing the city with a welcoming, inclusive, community-oriented, and innovative home.
ZAC! is a collaborative space, open to the whole community, where people can explore new forms of social interaction, conviviality, and the solidarity economy.
Its partnership with the Ecoredia Solidarity Purchasing Group (GAS Ecoredia) highlights responsible consumption and the promotion of local resources through the operation of a café and refreshment area, as well as a small shop featuring products from local producers. This supports short supply chains and encourages more sustainable lifestyles.
The project’s primary goal is to create a community hub that offers self-managed spaces for young people, families, associations, and informal groups, giving the city back a place for social cohesion and meaningful encounters.
The Youth Space is freely available as a study area, a place to meet and socialize, and a space where young people can develop projects that encourage youth leadership and active citizenship.
The Workshop Space is a place where practical skills and the sharing of knowledge bring together different generations, urban and rural expertise, the city centre and its outskirts, ideas and craftsmanship. It is a space for designing, building, creating, and inventing in a spirit of collaboration, exchange, and shared creativity.
The Associations’ Space invites all those who share the values of peace, nonviolence, legality, and environmental protection to take part in the planning and management of the centre, fostering participation and social change.
The Atrium can host concerts, performances, exhibitions, markets, festivals, and all those events that help us feel connected to our city and to the times we live in.
Figliej
Woman-family-driven Winery and mixed farm, in historic mountain and terraced landscape / Settimo Vittone / Piemonte / Italia. We are committed to organic wine-growing integrated with sheep farming, restoration of the historic pergola vine-growing method and biodiversity conservation, by matching traditional practices with innovative solutions. The fruit of this unique cultural landscape are organic/natural wines.
ACHAIA S.A. - DEVELOPMENT AGENCY SOCIETE ANONYME LOCAL AUTHORITY
ACHAIA S.A. – DEVELOPMENT AGENCY SOCIETE ANONYME LOCAL AUTHORITY is a local authority development agency based in the mountainous town of Kalavrita, with a branch in Patras (region of Achaia – Greece). For over 25 years, it has driven the economic, social, and cultural development of rural and coastal territories in the Achaia region by designing and managing bottom-up strategies. It has the capacity to enforce policies within the local community, as its stakeholders and board members represent significant and various public – private bodies.
As a Local Action Group (LAG) and a Fisheries Local Action Group (FLAG), it possesses extensive management competence in EU co-funded programs. It has successfully implemented multiple LEADER/CLLD initiatives, and is currently managing local strategies for the 2021–2027 programming period under the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF).
The agency is an active member of the Greek LEADER Network, of the European LEADER Association for Rural Development (ELARD), and has participated in various transnational and interregional cooperation projects (Interreg Greece-Italy, LEADER cooperation projects). Also, represents the Greek LEADER Network as National Partner for the actions of the Rural Pact, while its General Director is Vice-President of ELARD.
LOLLAND KOMMUNE
Lolland Kommune is a Danish municipality in the eastern part of the country. Historically a rich area dominated by industry and agriculture, the area is now dominated by urbanization centered around Copenhagen. That being said, Lolland has lots of developments possibilities connected with green industry, tourism and new opportunities from the Femern fixed link. Lolland has around 38.000 citizens and generally Danish municipalities are strong organisations.
Stichting Rootzz Zeeuws-Vlaanderen
Rootzz is a non-profit foundation in Zeeuws-Vlaanderen which has as goal to connect youth and young professionals (18-35 year) with each other, companies and governments. Our organisation is completely run on volunteers, we are funded by local governments and companies.
THE EGTC LINIELAND VAN WAAS EN HULST
The EGTC Linieland van Waas en Hulst acts as a catalyst for development and growth in the Zeeuws-Vlaamse border region. Eight Flemish and Dutch local authorities work together to address various themes: the port and the economy, mobility, nature, recreation and cultural heritage, housing and quality of life. Through cross-border cooperation, we offer structural solutions to border-related challenges and promote social and economic cohesion in the region.
UNIVERSITY OF TOKYO
The University of Tokyo (UTokyo), established in 1877, is a national university corporation and one of Japan’s leading comprehensive research universities. It promotes research and education across the humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, engineering, medicine, agriculture, and interdisciplinary fields. UTokyo addresses complex global challenges through international collaboration and co-creation with governments, industry, civil society, and local communities. Its Graduate School of Engineering and Department of Urban Engineering conduct advanced research on sustainable urban and regional planning, climate adaptation, green infrastructure, environmental systems, digital technologies, spatial analysis, and participatory governance. UTokyo contributes interdisciplinary expertise, evidence-based methods, and policy and design solutions for resilient, inclusive, and sustainable societies.