Meet in Kelowna’s Post

We are proud to intoduce our eRural resilience - Interreg BSR project partner from Denmark - ProVarde Erhvervsudvikling.  ✅At ProVarde, we are committed to strengthening and supporting local businesses in Varde Municipality.  ✅As part of ongoing efforts to engage in international cooperation, we recently visited the Danish EU Office in Brussels to explore opportunities within EU projects. This visit underscored how EU countries can benefit from each other’s experiences and expertise, particularly when it comes to rural development and fostering innovation across regions. Through such 🌐collaborations, we gain valuable insights into how shared knowledge and cross-border cooperation can enhance local business environments. This aligns perfectly with our work in the #eruralresilience Project, where we collaborate with Tønder Erhvervsråd /Tønder Business Council and other partners to promote the growth of e-bio-businesses. 📯 We are working closely with Tønder Business Council, and their business consultant and leader of the Vores Marsk initiative, Jesper Monsrud, states: “The partnership in the eRural project allows us to bring in additional resources and knowledge. We are collaborating with ProVarde and several business offices and knowledge institutions in the Baltic Sea region to enhance our support for e-bio-businesses, including food companies.” Nikolaj Chelander Knudsen, business consultant at ProVarde, adds: “Our collaboration with Tønder Business Council, along with our participation in EU projects, provides us with a unique opportunity to share knowledge and create value for local businesses. Strengthening the food sector through combined efforts and European cooperation holds immense potential for innovation and growth.” Jesper Monsrud further elaborates: “We have established a Community Support Group consisting of key partners such as Erhvervshus Sydjylland, Food & Bio Cluster, ProVarde, Rømø-Tønder Tourist Association, and Tønder Municipality. This group meets regularly to explore ways to collaborate and guide e-bio-businesses.” 📍 We look forward to sharing more updates on our EU partnerships and our ongoing work to support local food innovation and growth in the region! #eruralresilience #interregbsr #ruralareas #bioeconomy #MadewithInterreg

👨🌾 👀 How to find better solutions to bioeconomy challenges in Tartu County? 👨👩👧👦 On April 17, the sectoral network for the development of Tartumaa's bioeconomy was launched under the leadership of the Association of Municipalities of Tartu County. The meeting took place at The Estonian University of Life Sciences. 🌱 Sectoral topics with which to move forward on a network basis and to find solutions together were mapped together. 👉 Rein Drenkhan, Vice-Rector for Research, at the Estonian University of Life Sciences, brought up the topic of forest sustainability and emphasized the need for closer cooperation with county governments. 👉 Taivo Tali, Development Advisor of Peipsiääre Municipality pointed out the need to study the reeds and mud of Lake Peipsi in more detail and find out the possibilities of their valorization. 👉 The topic of school meals is also very relevant in several municipalities. 👉 Jan Lätt, Head of the Business Advisory Center, noted the ever-increasing need and demand for changing the business model in the direction of the green revolution and the introduction of circular economy principles. The first meeting gave a broader picture of sectoral initiatives in Tartu County. In addition, several opportunities for joint activities have already arisen in the near future. 🏞 A common network-based information space gives network participants the opportunity to be better informed about each other's sectoral initiatives, to contribute ideas to new joint projects and to launch joint county activities, to improve their knowledge and sectoral competences, and to enhance the sectoral focus of the bioeconomy in the development of Tartu County. The event was supported by Interreg's Baltic Sea region program, „eRural resilience“ project. #eruralresilience #MadeWithInterreg #InterregBSR #bioeconomy #EstonianUniversityofLifeSciences #networkTartumaa

💫 This week on the Rural Road to Health we speak with Cristóbal Escalona from Balloon Labs and Balloon Latam about the importance of rural innovation for sustainable development in Chile. 💡"Balloon Latam is a social enterprise and B-corp, they want to show that there can be a viable and sustainable business model and sustained impact in rural areas. They work with intangible assets such as networks and trust. As part of this work they have developed a community resilience index to make their work more tangible." 💡"The Chilean government struggles to reach rural areas, because priorities shift, some communities are very remote or due to conflict areas. There is a need for a sustained approach to working with rural populations.  Chile is a very diverse country with different cultures, landscapes, and temperatures. It makes it difficult to create a policy that meets the needs of all those communities." 💡 "Balloon Latam brings together local entrepreneurs to help build capacity by teaching skills and it also gives them an opportunity to connect with other rural entrepreneurs. This activity in itself builds social capacity in the local community. They can then leverage these relationships and trust to build community projects and initiatives. Social capital and community engagement is built into the way that they work." 💡 "They have been exploring ways to build community intelligence on disasters and environmental threats. It is interesting that usually the only people that participate in such exercises are qualified informants or scientists, no one has asked the community members who have lived there for a long time. It has been interesting to see what happens when they discuss the issues together and bring their different perspectives." #RuralHealth #RuralHealthCareers #RuralCommunities #RR2H #Podcast #WHOFides #Sustainability #SocialEnterprise #Chile #SocialCapital #CommunityEngagement https://lnkd.in/eSZVWPap

As a lover of Highland hospitality, I'm thrilled to share this stunning table set up by Victoria Erasmus' team for our recent IoD Highlands & Islands event at Uilebheist Distillery Ness Bank. The evening, sponsored by Rathbones Investment Management International, focused on finding solutions for population decline and barriers to economic growth in our area. The Highlands and Islands region has tremendous potential for economic growth, built on the backs of SMEs and individual entrepreneurs who have invested everything in the future of our area. The Green Freeport and renewables sector offer job generation and a ripple effect that can benefit other ports in the region. However, exponential growth requires increased investment in housing and infrastructure. The business plan is in place, the potential apparent, but development funding must follow. With less than 10% of UK levelling up funds spent and capital from the UK Government taking too long to arrive, this once-in-a-generation opportunity for transformation risks being squandered. Let's seize this moment and ensure that the necessary investment is made to drive growth in the Highlands and Islands. Together, we can build a brighter future for our region. #publicprivatepartnership #transformationalgrowth #skills #people IoD Highlands & Islands IoD Scotland Highlands and Islands Enterprise Highland Council UK Government Scotland Catherine McWilliam Alison Wilson

👀#Behindthescenes – Get to know the people behind Pathways2Resilience! We are excited to introduce the dedicated partners who are making this program a true catalyst for building resilience in regions and communities. To kick off our series, we want to begin by shining the spotlight on the project coordinator, Climate-KIC, represented by Thomas Koetz. What better way to introduce them, than by highlighting their achievements – and how that underpins the role that they are playing in #Pathways2Resilience.   EIT Climate-KIC is using systems innovation to increase climate resilience by supporting locally-developed adaptation solutions for rural and urban communities across #Europe and beyond.   💡For example, in Tanzania, they have developed an Adaptation Innovation Cluster, a vibrant local ecosystem where innovative solutions are being developed to reduce climate vulnerability and enhance the resilience of smallholder farmers. Since 2019, in partnership with IrishAid and other organisations, this collaborative platform has fostered community-led solutions such as a crop insurance and weather index tool, a digital agriculture platform, and solar-powered pumps. Learn more about the programme and the theory of change underpinning this approach to resilience pathways: https://lnkd.in/e_iaXUwa   Back in Europe, as part of the wider EIT - European Institute of Innovation and Technology community, they are leading the New European Bauhaus, which is inspiring communities across the continent to create beautiful, sustainable and inclusive solutions that embed the #EUGreenDeal principles in our living places and experiences. From social entrepreneurship in Brussels to rethinking city markets in Zaragoza, from sustainable rural tourism in South Tyrol to smart waste technology in Riga, read some of the projects coming to life through the programme: https://lnkd.in/eCGYn9ne   👉Hear more from the EIT Climate-KIC community on what inspires them: https://lnkd.in/eVVERnGn

🌍 EBOWN Americas and Caribbean Regional Update 🌎 We are delighted to share recent developments from our network across the Americas and the Caribbean region, showcasing our commitment to sustainability, economic collaboration, and biodiversity. 🇦🇷 Buenos Aires' Ecopark hosts a photographic exhibition by the European Union on Argentina's biodiversity. This initiative aims to raise awareness about biodiversity protection, aligning with the EU's Biodiversity Strategy and the European Green Deal. 🇨🇦 On July 1st, the Canada-Ukraine Free Trade Agreement (CUFTA) was successfully modernised, now including digital trade, services, and standards for inclusivity, environment, and labour. Canadian Trade Minister Mary Ng emphasised the agreement's significance for Ukraine’s economic recovery and SME support. Canada's investment includes $14 billion in humanitarian, military, and financial aid, with the trade agreement being a vital component. 🇨🇱 Fundación Eurochile launched a waste management pilot project in Barrio Plaza Ñuñoa, Santiago, focusing on the Hotels, Restaurants, and Cafeterias (HORECA) sector. The "Circular Urban Tourism Barrio Plaza Ñuñoa" project, developed with Corfo, the Ñuñoa Chamber of Commerce, and local SMEs, aims to enhance productivity through efficient organic waste management. We continue to foster connections and drive initiatives that contribute to sustainable development and economic growth across the region. Stay tuned for more updates! #EBOWN #EuropeanBusiness #Sustainability #Biodiversity #Trade #EconomicCollaboration #GreenDeal #CircularEconomy #SMEs #TeamEurope

Welcome to follow our entrepreneurs in the framework of the the project Reggae-regenerative nature tourism:  To dream green - inspiring stories of rural entrepreneurs  Welcome to Fischar's Farm! 💫💫🐑 “There are many great things with sheep, but seeing how well they take care of the landscapes is remarkable. We humans can never manage nature as beautifully as they can. Even though we try, it's not the same.” #InterregAurora, #regenerativetravel, #regenerativeliving, #regenerativetoursim #naturetoursim SLU - Sveriges lantbruksuniversitet, Centria University of Applied Sciences Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke) / Luonnonvarakeskus (Luke)

🚀Our series of case studies on Low Emission Zones (LEZ) in EU cities is now complete!  As part of a study for the Clean Air Fund, we have examined the implementation of LEZ across five EU cities: Stockholm, Milan, Brussels, 𝗦𝗼𝗳𝗶𝗮, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗪𝗮𝗿𝘀𝗮𝘄 Our findings reveal seven key strategies for LEZ development and implementation. These strategies highlight common threads regarding how cities can effectively engage and communicate with stakeholders and address potential socio-economic impacts during the LEZ development and implementation process.   ➡Find out more in our briefs written by Emma Watkins, Emma Bergeling, Elena Marchetti, and CHIARA ANTONELLI https://lnkd.in/etevNzGR A final research paper will be published with further synthesis of the case study findings, and its findings will be discussed at a dedicated webinar, in early September 2024.     ℹ For more information on the study, or to receive an invitation for the final webinar in September, contact Emma Watkins. #LowEmissionZones #Airquality #cities #Warsaw #Brussels #Milan #Stockholm #Sofia

Five case studies from cities across Europe - from South to North, East to West - reveal insights on the importance of social considerations for acceptability and impact when implementing Low Emission Zones. Explore the case studies and register for the Institute for European Environmental Policy (IEEP) and Clean Air Fund's webinar on navigating the social challenges of clean air policies in EU cities to learn more👇

Tourism, manufacturing and a large US government contract fueled economic growth in small towns ranked in a report as the most vibrant this year. https://lnkd.in/gwCT4TqX If your school isn't offering advanced manufacturing skills training to serve industry growth like this, let our experts show you just how easy it can be to get a program up and running in just months. #manufacturing