On Wednesday, 24 June, the final presentation event of the RurALL project took place in Hodod Commune. The international initiative aims to identify solutions to address rural depopulation and to unlock the potential of abandoned or unused buildings.
During the event, Nicoleta Lașan, Executive Director of the Satu Mare County Intercommunity Development Association, presented the main objectives and achievements of the project, highlighting the importance of cooperation between public administrations, local communities and experts in finding sustainable solutions for rural development. Throughout the project implementation, two strategic documents were developed: the Participatory Governance Model Manual and the Community Engagement Plan. In addition, four pilot actions were carried out: housing mapping, idea development for the repurposing of unused buildings, renovation concept development, and business model creation to support the financing of building renovations in the target areas.
The technical and professional aspects of the project were presented by Gyüre-Rotariuc Noémi Andrea, Chief Architect of Satu Mare County and project expert. She outlined the activities implemented within the project, the analysis of unused buildings in Hodod Commune, and the opportunities for their rehabilitation and reuse for the benefit of the local community.
Following the presentations, Szilágyi Márton, Communication Officer of the project, provided an overview of the Participatory Governance Model Manual developed within the project. The manual promotes a modern approach based on cooperation between public authorities, citizens, the private sector, civil society organisations, educational institutions and experts in order to identify and implement solutions tailored to local needs.
An important element of the project is the reuse of abandoned or underutilised buildings. These spaces can become community centres, public service facilities, economic activity hubs or social initiative venues, thus contributing to the revitalisation of rural settlements and increasing their attractiveness for residents and investors.
The project also promotes the principles of the New European Bauhaus, which combine sustainability, inclusion and the quality of the built environment. As a result, rural development is approached not only from an economic perspective but also through the lens of quality of life, local identity and community involvement.
For Hodod Commune, participation in the RurALL project created an opportunity to develop ideas for the repurposing of unused buildings and to identify practical solutions that contribute to preventing depopulation and supporting sustainable community development. Within the project, 41 buildings in Hodod were mapped, renovation sketches were prepared for 23 buildings, and 3 business plans were developed for the renovation and reuse of unused buildings.
The Mayor of Hodod Commune, Mr. Francisc Balog, highlighted the importance of the commune’s participation as an associated partner in the project for the sustainable development of the community. He emphasized that the RurALL project provided the local administration with the opportunity to learn from the experience of the other project partners, gain a better understanding of the community’s needs, and jointly identify solutions for the reuse of unused buildings and for increasing the attractiveness of the commune for future generations.
The RurALL project is funded through the Danube Region Programme 2021–2027 and aims to develop a governance model to address rural depopulation by improving planning, management, decision-making, and collaboration processes within rural communities to exploit the potential of abandoned/unused buildings. The project involves 14 partners from 11 countries, and the strategic associate partner of the Intercommunity Development Association of Satu Mare County in this project is Hodod CommuneThe total value of the project is EUR 2,597,692.50, with EUR 159,700 allocated to the Association within the project framework.
