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AEIDL (European Association for Innovation in Local Development)
AEIDL is a Brussels-based association that fosters community-led innovation to revitalize local communities across Europe, with particular focus on rural development and smart rural futures. The organization learns from and supports local initiatives while providing policy analysis and evaluation of EU policies affecting rural and territorial development. AEIDL coordinates networks and projects addressing sustainable local development, territorial development, employment, and support to territorial authorities and businesses.
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African Development Bank Group
Multilateral development finance institution serving Africa, owned by 81 member countries. The Bank's Feed Africa strategy and rural infrastructure programs invest in agricultural transformation, rural electrification, and digital connectivity across the continent, with particular focus on smallholder farmers and agricultural value chain development.
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Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada is the federal department responsible for developing policies and programs that support farming and agriculture businesses across the country. The department works with provincial governments and partner agencies to advance agricultural innovation and food systems. It maintains a Canadian Agriculture Library to support research and innovation in agricultural and food sciences.
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AscendRural
AscendRural brings together local leaders and the innovation community to fund and facilitate technology pilots in rural communities. The organization runs an accelerator program that supports startups developing solutions for rural challenges, with a focus on areas like senior care and healthcare access. It convenes rural changemakers and works to scale innovations that improve rural well-being.
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Aspen Institute Community Strategies Group
The Aspen Institute Community Strategies Group partners with rural community development practitioners and funders to strengthen rural development systems across the United States. For 40 years, the organization has worked to build regional collaboration and center equity in rural communities historically overlooked by philanthropy and policy investments. Aspen CSG emphasizes community-led development that focuses on protecting and developing the people in rural regions rather than extracting resources, and convenes diverse leaders across sectors to address shared challenges like workforce development, broadband access, and climate resilience.
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Brookings Institution
The Brookings Institution is a research organization that analyzes policy issues affecting rural communities, including broadband access and digital equity. This page examines the rural-urban digital divide in broadband infrastructure and internet access, highlighting how regulatory frameworks and funding mechanisms can address connectivity gaps that limit rural students' educational opportunities and rural residents' access to government services.
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CEDA
CEDA operates the Rural Business Innovation Lab (RBIL), a cohort-based entrepreneurial development program serving rural entrepreneurs in Minnesota and Wisconsin. The program provides eight months of personalized coaching, peer networking, and professional resources to help businesses scale in sectors including agriculture, agtech, sustainability, construction, and climate economy. RBIL has supported 34 businesses over three years in accessing capital, creating rural jobs, and building resilience in underserved communities.
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Center for Economic and Community Development
Penn State's Center for Economic and Community Development conducts applied research to strengthen local and regional development in Pennsylvania and beyond. The center works directly with communities to address economic and demographic change, government policy, community capacity building, and social inequality. It produces research outputs including economic impact analyses, demographic profiles, and community engagement projects focused on food systems, active transportation, and inclusive economic development.
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Center for Rural Affairs
Nebraska-based nonprofit working on rural policy, small farms, beginning farmer programs, and rural community development across the US Great Plains and Midwest. Founded 1973.
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Center for Rural Strategies
US nonprofit working to improve economic and social conditions of rural communities through media, advocacy, and field-building. Parent organization of The Daily Yonder.
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Center on Rural Innovation
A US nonprofit working to close the rural opportunity gap by helping small towns build digital economy ecosystems. Provides research, capacity-building, and an action network of rural innovation hubs.
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CGIAR
CGIAR is the world's largest publicly funded agricultural research network working to advance food and nutrition security globally. The organization conducts research and innovation across agrifood systems, partnering with institutions like IITA and AfricaRice to develop agricultural solutions. CGIAR's work emphasizes transforming food systems through science and strategic research collaborations, with particular focus on African agriculture and smallholder farmer productivity.
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Cornell Cooperative Extension
The land-grant university extension service of New York State, connecting Cornell research to communities through educational programs in agriculture, food and nutrition, environmental conservation, and youth/family development. The cooperative extension model — pioneered by U.S. land-grant universities — is foundational to bringing university expertise to rural communities.
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Crawford School of Public Policy
Crawford School of Public Policy at the Australian National University conducts research on public policy challenges including rural development and livelihoods. The school examines rural youth futures and development practices in regions like South Sulawesi through collaborative research projects. It educates policy leaders and professionals while engaging in policy-driven solutions across interdisciplinary areas.
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Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs
Defra is a UK government department responsible for improving and protecting the environment, growing a green economy, and sustaining thriving rural communities. It supports the food, farming, and fishing industries while managing environmental policy and species recovery programs. The department works across rural affairs through 34 agencies and public bodies to address environmental challenges and rural development.
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EU CAP Network
European Union platform connecting agriculture and rural development practitioners across member states under the Common Agricultural Policy. Successor to the European Network for Rural Development (ENRD).
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European Commission Joint Research Centre
The European Commission's in-house science service, providing independent evidence-based scientific advice to support EU policy. Its rural innovation work includes the Knowledge Centre for Territorial Policies, the Smart Rural 21 programme, and quantitative analysis of urban-rural innovation gaps across EU regions.
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Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)
The FAO's Agroecology division promotes a holistic approach that integrates ecological and social principles into sustainable food systems. It develops frameworks like the 10 Elements of Agroecology to help countries transition toward sustainable agrifood systems that optimize interactions between plants, animals, humans, and the environment. The organization operates the Agroecology Knowledge Hub and facilitates communities of practice that bring together practitioners to exchange knowledge and co-develop locally adapted solutions for family farming and agroecological transitions.
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IDB Invest
The private sector arm of the Inter-American Development Bank Group, financing private companies and projects across Latin America and the Caribbean. Investments in rural innovation focus on agribusiness digital transformation, agricultural value chains, rural energy access, and small-and-medium enterprise finance in underserved regions.
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IFAD
IFAD is an international financial institution that invests in rural people across 92 countries to transform agriculture, rural economies, and food systems. The organization finances programmes that build resilience, empower rural communities, and protect the environment, with particular focus on small-scale farmers and rural youth employment. IFAD works to address poverty and hunger through inclusive rural finance, climate adaptation support, and partnerships that create economic growth in rural areas.
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Indigenous Innovation Initiative
The Indigenous Innovation Initiative empowers First Nation, Inuit, and Métis innovators and communities to develop solutions to their own challenges through funding, tools, and relationships. The organization supports Indigenous-led ideas addressing health, social, economic, and environmental challenges across rural, remote, and Northern communities in Canada. I3 grounds its work in Indigenous knowledge systems, values, and self-determination, having funded over 22 seed innovations and 3 transition-to-scale innovations across more than 70 communities.
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Innovate UK
Innovate UK is the UK's innovation agency that provides funding, expert support, and connections to help innovative businesses start, scale, and remain in the country. The organization backs deep-tech businesses across priority sectors, including agricultural innovation, with programs like grants for farming, growing, and forestry businesses to develop project proposals and venture builder support for early-stage deep-tech spin-outs.
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International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA)
IRENA is a global intergovernmental agency that supports countries in transitioning to renewable energy systems. The agency provides data, analyses, and policy guidance on renewable energy technologies including solar, wind, hydropower, geothermal, bioenergy, and ocean energy. IRENA works to advance energy access and security in rural and remote areas through the widespread adoption of renewable energy solutions that support sustainable development and economic resilience.
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Newcastle University Centre for Rural Economy
UK research centre at Newcastle University focused on the social sciences of rural change, rural economies, and rural policy. One of the longest-running rural research centres in Europe.
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OECD Centre for Entrepreneurship, SMEs, Regions and Cities
The OECD Centre provides comparative statistics, analysis, and policy advice on regional development, including a dedicated working party on rural policy. It convenes national governments, local leaders, and development practitioners through multiple initiatives and networks focused on inclusive growth and local economic development.
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OECD Enhancing Rural Innovation Project
The OECD's project on rural innovation works to help policymakers develop place-based innovation strategies that move beyond traditional subsidies and sector-specific approaches. Through reports, case studies, and networks, the project aims to understand the diverse motivations and innovators in rural settings and support reforms that address challenges of scale and density in rural entrepreneurship. The initiative focuses on engaging women, youth, and older workers to unlock rural areas' innovation potential for improved growth and well-being.
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Oklahoma Grassroots Rural & Ag Business Accelerators
The Oklahoma Grassroots Rural & Ag Business Accelerators program operates two innovation pipelines—AgCelerate Oklahoma and Activate Oklahoma—to support rural entrepreneurs and agricultural innovators in communities with populations under 50,000. The program provides business curriculum, mentorship, and equity investment opportunities to help rural Oklahomans develop and commercialize innovations across agriculture and other industries. Through partnerships with state and national organizations, the accelerators connect innovators with business development resources and funding decision-makers to drive economic growth in rural Oklahoma.
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RUPRI
RUPRI is a university-based research center that conducts policy research on rural issues, with particular focus on rural health. The organization convenes stakeholders including the National Rural Health Association and other partners to identify rural health needs and develop policy approaches to improve health outcomes in rural communities.
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Rural Development Institute
The Rural Development Institute is a research centre at Brandon University that conducts community-based projects addressing rural development challenges. It works directly with rural partners and communities to build capacity, support regional development, and inform policy makers on rural solutions. The institute focuses on topics including digital technologies, wellness, and community development in rural contexts.
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Rural Health Information Hub
US clearinghouse for rural health information, funded by the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy. Hosts toolkits, model programs, funding databases, and research aimed at health practitioners and rural communities.
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Rural Pact
The Rural Pact is a European platform that convenes stakeholders to address rural revitalization and development across the EU. It facilitates place-based innovation initiatives, connects rural entrepreneurs to wider innovation ecosystems, and supports policy development for rural areas. The platform publishes research on rural entrepreneurship, good practices, and policy recommendations to strengthen economic, social, and environmental outcomes in rural communities.
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Rural Sociological Society
International scholarly association for sociologists, social scientists, and others working on the dynamics of rural life, communities, and resource use. Publishes the journal Rural Sociology.
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Ryan Institute, University of Galway
Research institute at the University of Galway focused on the intersection of environment, marine sciences, and energy. Affiliated with the Whitaker Institute and other Galway centres, the Ryan Institute hosts research on rural development, peripheral economies, and sustainable communities — particularly in the Atlantic margin and rural Ireland.
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Smart Rural 21 Project
Smart Rural 21 was a European Commission-funded initiative that ran from December 2019 to November 2022, supporting 21 villages across Europe to develop and implement smart village strategies. The project worked directly with rural communities to design and execute strategic actions addressing local challenges, from digital infrastructure to community services and cultural heritage. Through regional workshops, cross-village visits, and policy engagement, it generated evidence and recommendations to inform future EU policy on rural development.
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Southeast Techhub
A rural innovation hub in southeast Saskatchewan, Canada, based in Estevan, supporting entrepreneurs, students, and community organizations through programming, coworking, and events.
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Start.coop
Start.coop scales cooperatively owned businesses to address wealth inequality and build community wealth. The organization supports farmers, gig workers, artists, and other workers in establishing cooperative ownership models that enable wealth generation and economic resilience outside traditional capitalist structures. Through cooperative business development, Start.coop helps workers and communities break cycles of poverty and build intergenerational economic stability.
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Technology Council
An Indigenous-led organization working with all 204 First Nations in British Columbia to build digital capacity and self-determination. The organization delivers digital skills training ranging from introductory computer courses to advanced programs in cybersecurity, data science, and drone stewardship, while conducting research on connectivity, spectrum, and the digital economy to support Indigenous decision-making about technology. It supports alumni in career development and helps them bring technical skills back to their communities.
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The Daily Yonder
Rural news, analysis, and storytelling from the United States. A program of the Center for Rural Strategies, covering rural America for a national audience.
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The James Hutton Institute
Scottish research institute combining strengths in crops, soils, and land use, with deep work on rural economies and northern peripheral and remote rural regions.
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The Leslie Harris Centre of Regional Policy and Development
Memorial University of Newfoundland's centre for regional policy and development research, dedicated to research, education, and public engagement on the development of Newfoundland and Labrador. Coordinates regional workshops, convenes research on rural innovation, and publishes evidence-based reports on rural communities in the province.
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The Mill Workspace
The Mill Workspace operates a coworking space and entrepreneurship hub in Historic Downtown Dyersburg, Tennessee, serving Northwest Tennessee's rural business community. The organization provides tailored programs, services, and physical workspace to help rural entrepreneurs start and grow businesses across nine counties in the region. It offers coworking facilities, conference room rentals, and regional entrepreneurial support services.
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United Nations Development Programme
The UN agency that helps countries reduce poverty, build democratic governance, and respond to climate, recovery, and crises. UNDP's rural innovation work spans the Sustainable Development Goals — supporting smallholder agriculture, rural livelihoods, energy access, and digital inclusion in remote communities across more than 170 countries.
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USDA Rural Development
Mission area within the U.S. Department of Agriculture providing financial programs to support essential public facilities and services, business development, housing, and broadband infrastructure in rural America. Annual investments exceed $30 billion across loans, grants, and loan guarantees — the largest single source of rural innovation finance in the United States.
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Wageningen University & Research
Wageningen University & Research combines academic research and education with practical application across agriculture, food systems, biodiversity, and environmental management. The institution conducts research on sustainable food production, climate adaptation in agriculture, water and land management, and circular economy approaches relevant to rural contexts. WUR integrates natural and social sciences to develop solutions that address rural sustainability challenges and can be rapidly implemented in practice.
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World Bank Group
The World Bank Group is the largest funder of farming and agribusiness in developing countries, providing knowledge, investment, and technology to strengthen food systems and agricultural productivity. The organization works across 45+ countries to improve food and nutrition security, supporting over 200 million people and aiming to reach 327 million by 2030. Through initiatives like AgriConnect and Food Systems 2030, it helps countries transform their agricultural sectors into engines of economic growth while addressing infrastructure gaps, policy constraints, and climate resilience.
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World Economic Forum
International organization for public-private cooperation, headquartered near Geneva. Through its Centre for Nature and Climate and food systems work, the WEF convenes leaders on rural innovation themes — climate adaptation in agriculture, smallholder digitization, and inclusive value chains. Publishes case studies and impact reports that frequently feature rural communities in the Global South.
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