Joint Master's Curriculum in Rural Community Development (RuralCom)

RuralCOM project is initiated by five universities: Estonian University of Life Sciences (EMU), Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies (LLU), Vytautas Magnus University (VMU), Ruralia Institute of Helsinki University, Bucharest University of Economic Studies (ASE) to develop joint Master's Curriculum of Rural Community Development (RuralCOM).This joint RuralCOM Master's curriculum will be implemented by three Baltic States partners from September 2022, Finnish and Romanian partner (UH and ASE respectively) adapt selected courses/ modules and the e-learning content. UH and ASE are chosen as important partners for further networking, lecturing, mobility and collaboration for students' Master thesis work. UH is leading the development of the MOOC of Social Entrepreneurship for Rural Community Development and ASE leads Output 3 of adult learning courses for rural community leaders.

By developing a new joint curriculum on rural community development this RuralCOM project aims to implement joint initiatives together by promoting cooperation, peer learning and exchange of experiences at European level. Rural community development encompasses a range of approaches and activities that aim to improve the welfare and livelihoods of people living in rural areas focusing on rural sociology, tourism, local economy and sustainable environment. Rural community development curriculum/program differs to a great extent from rural development in general. RuralCOM focuses on villages and people, including the sociological aspects of human beings (not only infrastructure and economic aspects). The overall objective of the RuralCOM project is to support rural community development, social entrepreneurship and environmental sustainability of rural areas. Currently, there are no holistic and integrated rural community development curriculum in Master?s level in partner areas.