SHINE 2Europe was present at the 32nd Congress of the Portuguese Association for Regional Development (APDR), held between 8 and 11 July in Porto, with the theme ‘Sustainable Transformation and Spatial Interaction of People and Places’.
Natália Machado, SHINE’s Project Director, presented three scientific papers on behalf of the organisation. The session included the sharing of results and good practices from three innovative European projects that reflect SHINE’s commitment to sustainable development, digital inclusion and community empowerment.
On 10 July, the “Regional Innovation and Entrepreneurship Ecosystems” panel discussed the FITT-NESS project, which links four European regions in the furniture sector, promoting the dual green and digital transition through innovation, interregional cooperation and support for SMEs. At the same table, the NewEcoSmart project was also presented, an initiative that aims to empower adults over 45, small businesses and social economy actors with green, digital and entrepreneurial skills, with a focus on rural areas and vulnerable communities.
On 11 July, at the “Green Transition, Digitalisation, and AI for Sustainable Transformation: Data-Driven Solutions for Mobility, Migration, and Tourism in Urban and Rural Landscapes” panel, SHINE concluded its presentations with TourXpeRience, a project that introduces Extended Reality technologies into vocational training in sustainable tourism, promoting digital and ecological skills among future professionals in the sector.
During this event, which brought together organisations from various sectors, universities, political and industrial representatives, crucial topics were discussed, such as digital literacy in rural territories, the role of intergenerational activities, the importance of community initiatives and the challenges of practically implementing solutions with the target population. SHINE’s innovative and inclusive approach aroused the interest of several participants, especially with regard to the practical application of the TourXpeRience course and the reality of the territories involved in the FITT-NESS and NewEcoSmart projects.
Attendance at the Congress reinforces SHINE 2Europe’s role as an active agent in the sustainable and digital transformation of territories, contributing to a more cohesive, innovative and inclusive Europe.