How can rural regions collaborate with urban-based creatives and organisations — and what makes these connections work in practice? This webinar explores rural–urban dynamics through three threads: rural → urban outreach, urban → rural mobilities and transitions, and infrastructure as a link and incentive.
Designed for Local Action Groups (LAGs) and municipalities the session combines short talks with a structured needs–offers exchange. Participants will compare approaches across territories and leave with clearer next steps and hypotheses to test locally.
Mare van Alfen is a cultural producer and strategist with extensive experience in creative hubs. She made a documentary on the importance of experimental space for the creative sector. Holding a Master in Urban Management, she focuses on protecting affordable space for socially vital practices and is currently developing Bleyduin, a rural creative hub.
Alan Grommers is an Amsterdam-based entrepreneur growing exotic gourmet mushrooms for local distribution. He founded his business three years ago and has since developed it into a successful, community-driven initiative supported by a broad network of collaborators. Living between Haarlem and Amsterdam with his partner Mare and their children, he is currently planning a green, creative hub in Heemstede, on the edge of the flower-growing region De Bollenstreek.
João Almeida is an ecosystem builder working at the intersection of entrepreneurship research and territorial development. He holds a PhD in Business & Economics from the University of Aveiro and is an Assistant Professor at the University of Maia, teaching entrepreneurship, innovation, and strategy. He is also the co-founder and coordinator of Rural Move, a non-profit focused on repopulation, investment, and socio-economic revitalisation in rural Portugal, and works as a consultant and advisor on social innovation and rural development.
Kristian Krog is the founder of the international cultural center Maltfabrikken. Based in rural Denmark, over two decades Kristian has transformed not just a historic factory building, but a stagnant town into a vibrant destination for artists, designers, creative entrepreneurs, foodies, musicians etc.
Date: 18 February 2026
Time: 15:00–17:00 CET
Language: English
This webinar is part of the Transforming Rural Landscapes project.
If you have an interest in joining this project please write to hello@ruralradicals.com