STIFTELSEN RURALIS INSTITUTT FOR RURAL- OG REGIONALFORSKNING

Their core work

RURALIS is a Norwegian research institute specializing in rural and regional development, with deep expertise in agricultural policy, farm advisory systems, and innovation networks across Europe. They study how knowledge flows between farmers, advisors, and researchers, and how EU agricultural policies (particularly the Common Agricultural Policy) affect rural communities. Their work bridges social science with agricultural practice — analyzing food systems, small farm viability, and the adoption of digital tools in farming contexts.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

RURALIS began its H2020 participation (2016–2017) focused on food system resilience and peer-to-peer learning among farmers, with projects like SALSA and PLAID examining practical knowledge sharing and small farm viability. From 2018 onward, their work shifted toward policy modelling and digital transformation of agriculture — MIND STEP brought computational methods (agent-based modelling, machine learning) while LIAISON and FAIRshare addressed how policy instruments and digital advisory tools reshape rural innovation. The trajectory shows a clear move from descriptive social research toward quantitative, data-driven approaches to agricultural policy analysis.

RURALIS is moving from qualitative rural sociology toward data-driven agricultural policy analysis, making them increasingly relevant for projects combining social science with computational modelling of farming systems.

How they like to work

RURALIS operates exclusively as a consortium partner, never as coordinator, which positions them as a reliable specialist contributor rather than a project driver. With 94 unique partners across 29 countries from just 6 projects, they consistently join large, multi-country consortia — their average consortium size is substantial, suggesting comfort with complex European research networks. This broad but non-leading pattern indicates an institute that brings niche rural policy expertise into larger interdisciplinary teams without needing to manage the administrative overhead.

RURALIS has built a wide European network of 94 partners across 29 countries through 6 projects, indicating they are well-connected across virtually all EU member states. Their network is strongest in the agricultural research and rural development policy community.

What sets them apart

RURALIS occupies a rare niche at the intersection of rural sociology and agricultural innovation policy — they understand both the human dynamics of farming communities and the policy mechanisms that shape them. Unlike technical agricultural research centres, they bring the social science perspective that explains why farmers adopt (or resist) new technologies and policy changes. For consortium builders, this makes them an ideal partner when a project needs to go beyond technical solutions and understand how innovations actually land in rural communities.

Highlights from their portfolio

• AgriLink
  Largest funding share (EUR 338,225) and directly targets the core mission of linking farmers, advisors, and researchers — the central thread across all RURALIS work.
• MIND STEP
  Represents RURALIS's pivot toward computational methods, applying machine learning and agent-based modelling to EU agricultural policy — a significant departure from their traditional social science approach.
• LIAISON
  Most keyword-rich project covering multi-actor innovation, CAP, and European Innovation Partnership — positions RURALIS at the heart of EU rural innovation policy discourse.