For a long time, rural areas were considered culturally detached and economically unattractive, but this bad image is losing its force. Research in the spatial and social sciences is now increasingly interested in the innovative power of rural areas and rural entrepreneurship. The EU project RurAction looked at social enterprises in rural areas and the social innovations they generate to address typical rural problems. An international web conference (21./22.9.) and a web policy roundtable (23.9.) will discuss new scientific findings as well as recommendations for policy makers and practitioners on the ground.