In May 2025, the STORCITO project officially kicked off under the Horizon Europe programme, a 36-month initiative to empower rural areas across Europe in their transition to climate neutrality. At Contactica, we are proud to be part of this ambitious project, contributing our expertise in project coordination, sustainability, and communication.
Why STORCITO Matters
Europe’s rural communities are facing growing challenges: increased wildfire risks, limited access to sustainable mobility, and gaps in local energy systems. With one-third of the EU population living in rural areas, the role of these communities is pivotal in meeting the 2050 climate neutrality targets.
STORCITO aims to provide tailor-made solutions through technical, social, and organisational innovations. By supporting rural ecosystems in four major European climate zones (Atlantic, Mediterranean, Continental, and Boreal), the project will deliver locally adapted tools and practices that respond to each region’s unique sustainability needs.
What STORCITO Will Deliver
STORCITO will provide a series of integrated solutions to support rural areas in their climate-neutral transition. Among its innovations are digital tools for real-time wildfire risk management, a climate-responsive mobility application, and a replicable framework to improve local energy systems. The project also includes the co-design of nature-based solutions (NBS) tailored to each local context, as well as the development of training materials and manuals that strengthen knowledge transfer among local actors. Additionally, STORCITO will explore new ways to raise awareness on carbon capture, use and storage (CCUS) and will develop recommendations for policy frameworks and rural development strategies. These innovations will be tested in pilot regions and adapted for broader application across Europe.
Contactica’s Role in STORCITO
Contactica played a key role in shaping the STORCITO proposal and now contributes actively to the execution of the project. Our involvement focuses on three core areas: sustainability, communication and dissemination, and exploitation strategy. We are responsible for conducting assessments that evaluate the environmental, economic, and social impacts of the project’s solutions, ensuring alignment with the EU Green Deal objectives. Additionally, we design and coordinate the communication strategy, making sure the project’s progress and results reach key audiences across Europe. In parallel, we work closely with partners to develop realistic exploitation pathways that can turn project outcomes into long-lasting tools for rural development.
A Diverse European Consortium
STORCITO is coordinated by the University of Vigo (UVIGO) and brings together a multidisciplinary consortium of 11 partners from six European countries. The team includes research institutions such as SINTEF (Norway), Ruhr University Bochum (Germany), Utrecht University (Netherlands), and the Agricultural University of Athens (Greece), as well as regional and technical partners like INORDE, INNOGANDO, and TH Deggendorf. In addition, local implementation will be supported by Gjesdal Municipality and innovation consultancy NIMMO AS, both based in Norway. This diverse group of partners combines academic excellence, local knowledge, and applied innovation to co-create tailored solutions that respond to the real needs of rural areas across multiple climate zones.
🔎 Follow the Journey
As STORCITO moves forward, the project will enter a crucial phase of co-creation and testing across its four pilot regions. Throughout the coming months, we will work closely with local communities to adapt, validate, and implement innovative solutions tailored to their unique environmental, economic, and social contexts. These pilot activities will be instrumental in demonstrating the scalability and relevance of the project’s outputs across Europe.
At Contactica, we’ll be documenting the progress of our work and sharing updates on key milestones, stakeholder engagements, and results as they emerge. We invite you to follow the project through our communication channels to stay informed about how rural innovation, powered by EU collaboration, is driving the green transition from the ground up.
Stay connected, because when rural communities thrive, Europe moves closer to its climate goals.
