The conference programme will consist of an opening ceremony + key note speech, parallel presentation sessions, and a closing discussion session on how to stimulate just rural transformations. 

Special attention will be devoted to linking knowledge to policy and practice on our Policy Day on Wednesday 28 June. This day will kick off with an opening presentation on the ECs Long Term Vision for Rural Areas and the Rural Pact. After that, there will be room for several sessions on policy related topics, and on good practices of sharing knowledge and translating it into practices. We also intend to give floor for research projects to share their policy briefings, potentially in the form of an information market. Any ideas, thoughts, suggestions or good examples on this are welcome via ruralgeo2023@rug.nl! In the afternoon, field trips will be organized to innovative projects in the provinces of Drenthe, Friesland, Groningen, and to the Wadden island of Vlieland.