Project RurALL Interreg Danube:

Project RurALL Interreg Danube:

Revitalizing regions and improving the city’s public space

In recent years, the depopulation of rural areas and regions has become increasingly

a problem that affects many regions in the Danube region. RurALL, a project

focused on revitalizing rural communities, is trying to meet this challenge and find solutions

through the revitalization of older and abandoned buildings in the regions. The aim of the project is

to bring ecological and inclusive solutions that will help not only improve the quality of life in the village,

but also to provide residents with the tools to rebuild and modernize their communities.

The main goal is to collect ideas for the form of building renovation and, in particular, to find solutions for these

building a new use that could serve as a support for economic revitalization and

improving the quality of public services. Overall, rough concepts of ideas for revitalization will be

created for 20 buildings and more detailed designs for 3 buildings in the city. The project also sets

aims to connect experts, local politicians, residents and activists, creating an expert

a platform for the exchange of experiences and ideas.

The city of Jelšava participates in the project as a partner city in cooperation with

by the ADEL Slovakia organization, which covers administration and project management. In

Practical project activities are underway in the town of Jelšava it self.

The project also holds regular international meetings of partners, at which

Representatives of the city of Jelšava also participate. Partner cities and organizations participate in them

exchange experiences and discuss solutions to problems that are common to all countries

common. In total, 11 Central European countries are involved in the project and

14 partner organizations with different types of expertise (urban planning, project management,

management, representatives of municipalities and cities, business planning and others). The project lead organization

is the town of Beltinci in Slovenia. Activities are implemented simultaneously in all partner cities

countries in the municipalities involved in the project.

Activities in Jelšava: Mapping and Workshops

Several important practical activities have already taken place within the project, including mapping

abandoned and dilapidated buildings. A conservation area was designated for mapping in

of the city of Jelšava. The aim of this activity was to collect data on dilapidated or abandoned

real estate in the historical part of the city concentrated around the SNP Square and the

of the Republic. All mapped buildings will then be categorized according to their condition in order to

determined which of them could be suitable for reconstruction and what functions they could be given

to fill.

One of the key activities was a workshop that took place in a beautiful mansion

Coburgov. The workshop focused on involving local residents in the collection

ideas for the renovation of buildings around the square and a collection of ideas for revitalization

the square itself. The event, which took place on April 9, 2025, was attended by approximately 40

active residents of the city. For almost two hours, there was a discussion about what functions

are missing from the square, as well as how to make the square area more attractive for residents and

visitors.

“We collected ideas for possible uses for abandoned buildings – from commercial spaces, to

public purposes, to private use. Based on these ideas, we will create

visualizations and restoration plans, as well as looking for resources that will serve as

“a concrete basis for future reconstruction,” says the project manager from ADEL

Slovakia Jana Turanská. “The goal is to involve local residents in the discussion so that

participated in finding solutions for their own community. This way we get valuable ideas and feedback

“A bond from those who are directly affected by life in the city,” explains Turanská.

Since Jelšava, in cooperation with ADEL Slovakia, is looking at the public space of the conservation zone

as a comprehensive whole, in addition to ideas for building renovation, we will be in Slovakia

prepare a study of the revitalization of squares, which are an integral part of the project

part of the monument zone. A more attractive square space also creates an environment that

is more attractive for both economic and community activities.

The RurALL project is an example of how the quality of life in rural areas can be improved.

areas through the active involvement of residents and experts. At the same time,

tries to show how great the potential of using abandoned buildings for the development of cities and municipalities is.

By taking into account the opinions of local people and experts, this project can bring

sustainable and inclusive solutions for the revitalization of rural communities in the Danube region.

The RurALL project is implemented within the framework of the Interreg Danube Programme 2021-2027.

Trvanie projektu je od januára 2024 do júna 2026.