For further information: B.Aigner-Walder@fh-kaernten.at
The future of rural regions in the context of demographic change
Course Type: Applied Blended Challenge (ABC)
Duration: 77–95 hours (total workload) – online sessions & prep (~20 h) · 5 days on-site (~30 h) · async online independent/group work (~20 h) · online final presentation (2×4 h)
Dates: Online – 18 September–2 October (ACERookies MOOC + 1st online session) · On-site – 5–9 October, Villach, Carinthia (Austria) · Online – 12–16 October (individual output development) · Final presentation – 19–23 October
Credits: 3 ECTS credits and a certificate of attendance
Students learn to understand the mechanisms of population development and its potential social and economic effects. They search for and analyse data on the specific situation of a case study region and work on and discuss solutions within teams.
Carinthia University of Applied Sciences: Birgit Aigner-Walder (B.Aigner-Walder@fh-kaernten.at), Stephanie Putz (s.putz@fh-kaernten.at)
Partner Institutions: Santarém Polytechnic University — Tatiana Ferreira (tatiana.ferreira@ese.ipsantarem.pt); Technische Hochschule Ingolstadt — Stefanie Wrobel (Stefanie.Wrobel@thi.de)
External stakeholder: Regional government of Carinthia
- Understanding demographic developments, social and economic effects of an ageing population
- Analysing the case study regions in detail
- Work on and discuss potentials of rural areas in general
- Development of tailored solutions to overcome existing challenges within the case study regions
- Outcome: presentation of results and peer-discussion
1. Online sessions (18 September – 2 October) — Preparatory role: ACERookies MOOC completion, group formation, online collaborative phase, preparatory work and ACEexperience.
2. On-site sessions (5–9 October, Villach, Carinthia/Austria) — Students will experience: case studies, practical sessions, stakeholder engagement.
3. Online session/autonomous (12–16 October) — Teamwork and output development.
4 · Follow-up/reflection (19–23 October) — Final presentations.
Students will realise:
- the challenges of demographic change in rural areas by working on case study regions.
- get to know the situation in other countries via working together with ACE²-EU partners.
- and will reflect on potential strategies to overcome existing challenges.
All involved students and partners will be able to:
- Collaborate and reflect on existing challenges for rural areas
- Connect and specialise in the field of demographic change, population economics and regional development
- Present tailored concepts for rural areas
This course is open to all students from ACE²-EU, independently of their area of knowledge, 4 students per ACE University.
This course may be suitable for those who have an interest in: Demographic change · Regional development · Public and Non-profit Management.
Recommended Language Level: English B1–B2 (mandatory, as English is the working language of ACE²-EU courses).
Interested applicants should apply here: https://forms.gle/SVY2qNVgMJUxN1ag6
A notification of acceptance to participate will be sent to successful applicants by the host institution. Prior to the start of the course, participants will receive a welcome email from the ACE²-EU Alliance with detailed instructions specific to the course.