Migration has long shaped contemporary societies, acting as a driving force behind both global and local processes of social and cultural transformation. It affects nearly every aspect of everyday life – from the economy and politics to family ties, social relations, culture, and communication. Among its many contemporary forms, counterurbanisation – the movement from cities to rural areas – is claiming its place among the trends of the 21st century, reshaping rural landscapes on a global scale. Among its contemporary expressions are both internal migrations from cities to villages and cross-border relocations shaped by lifestyle aspirations, economic considerations, and evolving perceptions of rurality. Increasingly, the countryside has come to be imagined as offering an alternative lifestyle to urban living, often idealised in popular imagination especially among urbanites. For many, the village provides not only a closer connection to nature but also a more affordable standard of living, a calmer, healthier, quieter, cleaner, and less stressful. Some are attracted by the prospect of a secluded lifestyle, while others value the opportunities for new social interactions and community involvement. At the same time, rural areas offer a variety of economic possibilities, from developing small businesses in agriculture and tourism to pursuing innovative local enterprises.

In recent decades, counterurbanisation has taken on a growing international dimension. People from diverse national and cultural backgrounds are relocating across borders and continents in search of affordability, quality of life, and cultural authenticity. This lifestyle mobility contributes to the growing diversity of rural communities, fostering complex intercultural interactions and underscoring the global reach of these transformations. Counterurban movements have significant social and cultural implications. They can contribute to the revitalisation of local communities by bringing new skills, ideas, and investments, while also influencing demographic patterns and social structures. At the same time, the influx of newcomers can create tensions related to cultural integration, land use, and local traditions. Changes in consumption, lifestyle, and community participation reshape the social fabric, fostering both opportunities for innovation and challenges for maintaining local identity. Together, these dynamics illustrate how counterurbanisation continues to transform rural spaces, shaping the social, economic, and cultural life of villages in contemporary societies.

The conference seeks to explore counterurbanisation as both a historical process and a contemporary reality, examining its drivers, dynamics, and implications across different contexts. This includes internal movements from urban to rural areas within nation-states, as well as the growing international forms of relocation. We invite contributions that address the many dimensions of this phenomenon – from demographic shifts, housing, labour markets, and governance, to its cultural, environmental, and technological aspects. By bringing together scholars from multiple disciplines, the conference aims to foster dialogue and critical reflection on how counterurbanisation is reshaping societies today. The scientific event is within the scope of the research project The Neighbour from Sofia, the New Villager from Germany: Counterurbanisation, Socio-Cultural Interactions and Local Transformations, supported by the National Science Fund of Bulgaria, Contract No. КП-06-Н70/10 (2022–2026).

THEMES AND TOPICS
We welcome papers that address, among other topics, the dynamics of everyday interactions between local residents and newcomers, with particular attention to the diverse social, cultural, and economic practices that emerge in these encounters in rural areas:

Everyday Interactions and (Cross-Cultural) Knowledge Exchange
‒ Language, communication, and social interaction between local residents and newcomers.
‒ Foodways and gastronomy: culinary traditions, adaptation of local cuisines and introduction of new gastronomic practices, and transmission of food knowledge.
‒ Agricultural practices: knowledge transfer and mutual aid.

Cultural and Civic Activities
‒ Rituals and celebrations: sustaining cultural identity, community cohesion, and negotiating cultural diversity in transforming rural settings.
‒ Festivals, arts, and sports as platforms for social cohesion, cultural exchange, and tourism development.
‒ Intergenerational and international participation in shaping local cultural and social life.

Consumption, Sustainability, and Environmental Practices
‒ Consumption patterns and resource use: shifts in lifestyle, sustainability practices, and household economies.
‒ Environmental and sustainability initiatives: waste management, clean-up campaigns, climate adaptation, disaster prevention, etc.
‒ Educational initiatives promoting ecological awareness, sustainability, and civic responsibility.

Social Stratification, Gentrification, and Inequalities
‒ Rural gentrification and the reconfiguration of local economies – tensions between revitalisation, investment in services and rising living costs, housing pressure, and displacement.
‒ The “revaluation” of rural areas – identifying and capitalising on local natural and cultural assets, and envisioning “what could be.”
‒ Social stratification, privilege, and lifestyle distinctions in rural settings – negotiating belonging, authenticity, and social boundaries.
‒ Inclusion, exclusion, and strategies of social adaptation and community engagement among different groups of residents.

Governance, Infrastructure, and Community Engagement
− Development and maintenance of infrastructure and public services: public spaces, playgrounds, water supply, digital connectivity, etc.
− Rural planning, policy-making, governance in contexts of internal and international migration.
− Multi-stakeholder collaboration among local administrations, NGOs, businesses, and local and new community members.
− Grassroots organisations and their role in community revitalisation, social solidarity, and intercultural dialogue.

CONFERENCE FORMAT
Proposals for theoretical and empirical presentations, including case studies from different regions of the world, are warmly welcomed. We encourage contributions from scholars at all career stages, including PhD candidates and postdoctoral researchers. Each presentation should not exceed 15 minutes, with additional time allocated for discussion.

The conference will be held in a hybrid format to accommodate participants who may experience travel difficulties or restrictions. Applicants may indicate their preference for attending either in person or online.

FINANCIAL CONDITIONS
There is no participation fee, the expenses for the coffee breaks and materials provided during the two days of the conference will be covered by the organisers. However, the participants should financially ensure their travel and accommodation (if attending in person).

APPLICATION
To apply for the conference, please submit an abstract of 200–250 words, including a title and up to five keywords, together with the author’s name(s), institutional affiliation, contact email, and a short biographical note (maximum 150 words). Please indicate your preferred mode of participation (in-person or online). This choice will not affect the selection process.

Abstracts should be submitted by email to: counterurban.conf@gmail.com

Following the event, authors of selected presentations may be invited to contribute with their papers to a peer-reviewed volume or a special issue in a journal.

IMPORTANT DATES
Deadline for submission: 09 March 2026
Notification of acceptance: 10 April 2026
Conference programme distributed: 10 May 2026
Conference dates: 18–19 June 2026

We are looking forward to welcoming you to Sofia and engaging in stimulating discussions on the various transformations of rural life in contemporary societies.

SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE:

Desislava Pileva, PhD
(Assist. Prof., IEFSEM – BAS, Bulgaria)

Ivaylo Markov, PhD
(Assist. Prof., IEFSEM – BAS, Bulgaria)

Remus Gabriel Anghel, PhD
(Professor, National University of Political Studies and Public Administration & Researcher, Romanian Institute for Research on National Minorities, Romania)

Sarah Craycraft, PhD
(Head Tutor, Harvard University, The United States of America)


ORGANISING COMMITTEE:

Ivaylo Markov, PhD
(Assist. Prof., IEFSEM – BAS, Bulgaria)

Desislava Pileva, PhD
(Assist. Prof., IEFSEM – BAS, Bulgaria)

Violeta Periklieva, PhD
(Assist. Prof., IEFSEM – BAS, Bulgaria)

Petya Dimitrova, PhD
(Assist. Prof., IEFSEM – BAS, Bulgaria)

Atanaska Stancheva, PhD
(Assist. Prof., IEFSEM – BAS, Bulgaria)