The TRL Project (Transforming Rural Landscapes) was initiated and designed by Rural Radicals to explore how rural regions can be revitalized through creativity, sustainability, and community-driven action.
To make this possible, Rural Radicals brought together a coalition of Local Action Groups (LAGs) from across Europe, connected through the LEADER network. LEADER is a European initiative that supports rural communities in developing their own area by fostering local partnerships and bottom-up decision-making.
TRL is designed for LAGs that want to strengthen their approach to vacant buildings, rural infrastructure, cultural activation, and community-led rural development. It is for territories that want inspiration, but also structure: practical examples, strategic conversations, international peer learning, and a clearer sense of what kinds of actions, pilots, or collaborations could be developed locally. The aim is not only to exchange ideas, but to help each LAG identify realistic next steps for its own territory and connect local ambition with a broader European network.
Project partners 2026 include:
Together, we are exploring how underused and empty buildings can be transformed into dynamic cultural and creative hubs, acting as catalysts for rural renewal. These spaces are more than just places to gather — they are bridges between urban and rural life, sparking new collaborations and sustainable ways of living.
The TRL Project is part of Rural Radicals’ broader mission: to re-activate buildings across Europe through creativity, creating vibrant places where culture, community, and nature come together.
A new edition of TRL is now being prepared for 2027, and the application is open for a limited number of LAGs from different European countries. We are looking for LAGs that are interested in rural transformation through empty and underused spaces, cultural and creative regeneration, rural–urban linkages, and new forms of local development. Participation is especially relevant for LAGs that want to explore these themes together with municipalities, local initiatives, and other territorial actors in a structured but collaborative format.
For TRL 2027, 3 LAG spots are available. The starting date is not decided yet, this depends on the availablility of the participating LAG’s, but is anticipated for the beginning of 2027 with a duration of approximately 9 months.
Contact info@ruralradicals.com for more info.