RuBusT
RURAL BUSINESS TRANSFERS FOR STRONGER SOCIETIES
The story behind RuBusT
The idea for the RuBusT project originates from my research experience in rural Japan, where I observed firsthand how well-known phenomena such as depopulation, ageing, and urban migration were eroding the rich rural entrepreneurial heritage and undermining local communities.
A shared challenge
Similar phenomena are found in Europe, in Italy, and in Sardinia, where major demographic changes hinder the transmission of knowledge, activities, and traditions. It is precisely in this context that business transfers can play a fundamental role in building rural resilience.
RuBusT’s mission
Business transfers can foster intergenerational exchange and ensure both continuity and innovation in the local socio-economic fabric. Nonetheless, they are often overlooked in rural development strategies and by a field of research that is not always attentive to local realities.
What “RuBusT” means
The acronym RuBusT is a wordplay that combines the technical term “Rural Business Transfers” while emphasising the potential of business succession as a tool with a clear purpose—strengthening local communities and building more robust and resilient rural societies.
Our approach
Through a participatory research approach, the RuBusT team aims to analyse the real needs of territories and experiment with new business transfer support methods closer to local needs. We begin within the agri-food and agro-industrial sectors in remote rural areas of Sardinia and aim to grow in a gradual and sustainable way.
Participate
Social innovation cannot be done alone. We invite you to take part in this project with us and to contribute according to your professional and personal experiences. Get in touch to take part in the research and help shape the future of rural communities. We look forward to your participation!
