The aim of this paper is to provide a review of the main roles HEIs can play in rural areas. A longitudinal case study about the civic engagement of the University of Macerata - UNIMC (Italy) is presented, by assessing its attempt to fulfil its third and fourth mission through the application of the Quadruple Helix and 3 Model and by implementing the Civic University’s dimensions. Furthermore, these aspects have been investigated through the university-business collaboration and the community-academic-collaboration frameworks. More specifically, the paper focussed on UNIMC’s commitment at a local level analysing its involvement in local and international projects for place and agri-food product marketing, place branding and rural development, promoted by a research team within the Department of Education, Cultural Heritage and Tourism.

This exploratory study focuses on the role of the university in supporting sustainable development in rural areas, focusing on small wine producers, particularly those located in remote and disadvantaged areas. Disadvantaged areas have distinctive features. Firstly, they are fragile areas from a sociodemographic point of view because of population ageing. Secondly, they are unstable from an environmental (physical, eco-systemic) point of view, as a consequence of insufficient maintenance of their seminatural capital. University–business cooperation with companies located in those areas thus needs to be designed by considering the specific characteristic of the place. Therefore, this exploratory study sought to understand how the university can work with small wineries and support them and their rural area to face inequalities and low growth, and foster social innovation. We present a case study based on field research in Italy. The results—based on the analysis of 26 semistructured interviews with small wine producers—are discussed by exploring the potential form of cooperation between rural stakeholders and universities, beyond the concept of knowledge transfer. Conclusions highlight the need for the university to act as a facilitator of dialogue at a territorial level, as a first step toward to formulation of shared sustainable goals.

The aim of this study is to analyze the role of food and gastronomy in expanding the tourism sector in the territory of Marche region (Italy), hit by major earthquakes in 2016 and 2017. One of the first actions taken by individuals, municipalities, institutions, and nonprofit associations was to set up e-commerce initiatives to sell local food and wine products in order to support farms and businesses affected by the earthquake. Five e-commerce companies were interviewed to understand the level of involvement of local actors and the importance of food and gastronomy in the recovery phase. They indicated a need for more initiatives similar to these to promote sustainable development and proposed that the tourism sector could be drawn into a collaboration with food and wine producers and sellers, so as to offer consumers and tourists a more complete and typical experience of the Marche region. Finally, they felt that the efforts of local communities must be supported by cooperation from the regional and national government.

The relationship between food consumption and sustainability has become increasingly relevant due to the significant environmental impacts associated with global food production and consumption systems. However, more conscious food consumption could generate economic benefits, reduce the release of toxic substances and provide direct health benefits to consumers. In recent years, there has been a change in consumption patterns and a more conscious approach to food choices and environmental impact from citizens, particularly young people. This study focuses on how moving away from home affects the eating habits of university students. Using an online questionnaire and adopting a snowball sampling technique, we collected qualitative responses regarding changes in their eating habits after moving, with the aim of exploring the factors and patterns driving these changes. The findings indicate that the nexus between food and sustainability is a pivotal lens through which to examine the social and cultural transformations currently underway.

The twelve articles included in this second volume reflect the growing complexity of contemporary aging research. Rather than focusing exclusively on health outcomes, they examine the multiple dimensions that enable older adults to remain active participants in society, highlighting the importance of inclusive environments capable of fostering wellbeing throughout later life.Although diverse in their objectives and methodologies, the contributions can be broadly grouped into four complementary thematic areas: (1) community participation and social inclusion; (2) psychological wellbeing and social inequalities; (3) health promotion and quality of life; and (4) resilience, lifelong learning, and future engagement. Together, these studies reinforce the idea that successful aging should be understood as a dynamic process involving reciprocal interactions between individuals and the communities in which they live.The first thematic area includes studies highlighting the importance of social participation in promoting active aging. Different community settings and shared activities are presented as opportunities for strengthening interpersonal relationships, reducing loneliness, and fostering a greater sense of belonging. Tan et al. (2026) explore the role of traditional tea houses as places where older adults can develop meaningful social relationships and experience emotional support within their communities. Similarly, Sun and Wu (2025) investigate older adults' satisfaction with community dining services, showing that these initiatives represent not only nutritional support but also valuable opportunities for social interaction.Participation is also promoted through cultural and recreational activities, in particular traditional handicrafts may contribute to active aging by encouraging social participation and intergenerational exchange (Igreja et al., 2025), while Guardabassi et al. (2025) show that board games represent a promising non-pharmacological intervention capable of enhancing wellbeing among older adults with dementia.Collectively, these contributions underline the idea that social participation is not limited to formal programs or institutional interventions. Rather, it develops through accessible community spaces and meaningful shared experiences that allow older adults to remain active contributors to social life.A second group of articles focuses on psychological wellbeing and on the social factors that may either facilitate or hinder successful aging.Ageism emerges as a persistent challenge, with evidence suggesting that age-based discrimination negatively affects life satisfaction and disproportionately impacts older adults living in disadvantaged contexts (Guo and Li, 2026). Likewise, the growing digitalization of contemporary societies presents both opportunities and risks. While digital technologies have the potential to enhance participation and access to resources, the findings reported by Feng et al. (2025) reveal that these benefits depend on digital literacy, confidence, and supportive social environments. Simply providing technological access is insufficient if older adults continue to experience exclusion from digital participation.The transition to retirement also illustrates the importance of psychosocial resources. Zhang et al. (2025) show that intentions to re-engage in work are shaped not only by personal resources but also by trust in others and by perceptions of social support, confirming that individual decisions are deeply embedded within broader relational contexts.Overall, these studies suggest that psychological wellbeing cannot be understood independently from the broader social context. Inclusive environments, supportive relationships, and equal opportunities remain fundamental conditions for promoting active participation among older adults.Health promotion represents another important theme emerging from this collection and the articles integrate physical, psychological, and social dimensions of wellbeing. Li et al. (2026) examine the association between physical exercise and health-related quality of life, confirming the importance of maintaining active lifestyles throughout older adulthood. Similarly, Bai et al. (2025) investigate the effects of different exercise programs on physical fitness among middleaged and older women, providing further evidence of the benefits of structured physical activity.A broader perspective on health is offered by Simsek et al. (2026), who explore the relationship between voice outcomes following dental treatment and overall life satisfaction. Their findings highlight how health-related interventions may influence not only physical functioning but also communication, social relationships, and psychological wellbeing.Together, these contributions reinforce the idea that healthy aging should be considered as a multidimensional process, in which physical, psychological, and social dimensions are closely interconnected.The final thematic area focuses on the future, emphasizing the continued potential for growth, adaptation, and contribution during older adulthood.Positive expectations regarding aging are associated with greater productive engagement (Dai et al., 2026), suggesting that beliefs about the aging process itself may influence opportunities for participation. At the same time, research involving older adult learners (Gao et al., 2026) highlights the role of different forms of social support in strengthening resilience and sustaining lifelong learning.These studies collectively challenge deficit-oriented representations of aging. Instead, they portray later life as a developmental phase characterized by ongoing learning, social contribution, and personal growth, provided that appropriate educational, social, and community resources remain available.The articles included in Aging: Challenges and Opportunities for Inclusion and Active Participation -Volume II expand and consolidate the perspectives...