diff --git a/src/py/flwr/cli/run/run.py b/src/py/flwr/cli/run/run.py
index 28fa67f9d4f..4c95a4041c0 100644
--- a/src/py/flwr/cli/run/run.py
+++ b/src/py/flwr/cli/run/run.py
@@ -90,12 +90,16 @@ def run(
 
     if engine == Engine.SIMULATION:
         num_supernodes = config["flower"]["engine"]["simulation"]["supernode"]["num"]
+        backend_config = config["flower"]["engine"]["simulation"].get(
+            "backend_config", None
+        )
 
         typer.secho("Starting run... ", fg=typer.colors.BLUE)
         _run_simulation(
             server_app_attr=server_app_ref,
             client_app_attr=client_app_ref,
             num_supernodes=num_supernodes,
+            backend_config=backend_config,
         )
     else:
         typer.secho(
diff --git a/src/py/flwr/common/config.py b/src/py/flwr/common/config.py
index 95bf8ce31c4..20de00a6fba 100644
--- a/src/py/flwr/common/config.py
+++ b/src/py/flwr/common/config.py
@@ -24,14 +24,16 @@
 from flwr.common.constant import APP_DIR, FAB_CONFIG_FILE, FLWR_HOME
 
 
-def get_flwr_dir() -> Path:
+def get_flwr_dir(provided_path: Optional[str] = None) -> Path:
     """Return the Flower home directory based on env variables."""
-    return Path(
-        os.getenv(
-            FLWR_HOME,
-            f"{os.getenv('XDG_DATA_HOME', os.getenv('HOME'))}/.flwr",
+    if provided_path is None or not Path(provided_path).is_dir():
+        return Path(
+            os.getenv(
+                FLWR_HOME,
+                f"{os.getenv('XDG_DATA_HOME', os.getenv('HOME'))}/.flwr",
+            )
         )
-    )
+    return Path(provided_path).absolute()
 
 
 def get_project_dir(