Rural Europe on the move English_E_version_all | Page 146

CHAPTER 12
experienced in the development of businesses which reach their markets
technologies are part of that agenda. via postal services, drones and other
Lifestyles and values have also technologies. In all this a widely
revealed new paths to the future available broadband, mobile public
– including the sharing economy, services and others are helpful – so
teleworking, private and innovative we can be part of an increasingly
rural schools, new energy efficient dynamic society living in rural areas.
and sustainable housing solutions. But still – this is not happening
Also permaculture villages are part everywhere and for everyone, so
of this creativeness, as are small rural there is still much work to be done.
“We are reframing
rural areas as exciting,
desirable places
for working, living
and leisure.”
3. Latvian Rural Community Parliament 2019
4. International participants: from left – Āris Ādlers
(PREPARE, Latvia), Kirsten Birke-Lund (ELARD, ERP,
Denmark), Anita Seļicka, Leotrim Germizaj (Kosovo,
PREPARE), Ave Bremse (Estonia)
New Rural Paradigms
environment – families that had has turned the house into a place
moved to the countryside to start of creativity for working and living,
their business or just to realise their combining old features with modern
inspiration happened in June 2019 at dreams. “You need to dream big and facilities in a shabby-chic style. The
the fourth Latvian Rural Community once it looks possible – to work hard new young owners moved in from
Parliament. The theme of the on reaching it,” said Ilona Blūma, who the city of Riga. If you had asked
gathering was ‘New Rural Paradigms’ – realised her dreams of running her them ten years ago, while they were
a three day bi-annual event gathering own greenhouse and aviation school. still business students, whether they
The latest ‘explosion’ of rural
policy makers, rural enthusiasts,
The gathering also revealed
could imagine becoming owners of a
academics, and representatives from heartwarming stories about the young manor house in the countryside, they
all sectors. We invited more than fifty couple Asnāte and Jānis Avotnieki, would have laughed. Living out here
storytellers from all over the country renovating an ancient manor house with their three daughters, this has
to share their experiences. Most of that they bought through auction just become a magnetic place for young
them were newcomers to the rural three years ago. The young couple people.
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