co-creative Visioning procEsses for tRansformative social innoVation in rural arEas

Project Information

VERVE

Grant agreement ID: 101025710

DOI

10.3030/101025710

Project closed

EC signature date 23 April 2021

Start date 1 September 2022

End date 31 January 2025

Funded under

• SOCIETAL CHALLENGES - Europe In A Changing World - Inclusive, Innovative And Reflective Societies

Total cost

€ 183 473,28

EU contribution

€ 183 473,28

Coordinated by

UNIVERSITA DEGLI STUDI DI PADOVA
Italy

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - VERVE (co-creative Visioning procEsses for tRansformative social innoVation in rural arEas)

Reporting period: 2022-09-01 to 2024-08-31

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

VERVE, an acronym for "Co-creative visioning processes for transformative social innovation in rural areas" (September 2022 - January 2025), is a participatory action-research project dedicated to European rural regions, with a specific study area in the Italian North-Eastern Prealps. Key partners in the project included the Fondazione G. Angelini – Centro Studi sulla Montagna and the Local Action Group GAL Prealpi e Dolomiti, organizations operating within the case study area.
VERVE’s primary objective is to explore and facilitate transformative social innovation (TSI) by working with local communities, to imagine and build regenerative future visions. Recognizing the urgent need for transformative change, VERVE aims to move away from unsustainable ways of living and create futures where people's well-being and the health of the environment go hand-in-hand. To achieve this, it develops and uses creative and visual methods, empowering diverse groups of people to actively participate in shaping their future.
VERVE looks at new ways to think about and implement cultural and societal shifts that address complex sustainability issues. By focusing on people's values, beliefs, and worldviews—the "inner dimensions" of change—through collaborative visioning, it challenges the idea that humans are separate from nature and bridges the gap between theoretical understandings and practical applications of transformative change. Addressing the complex socio-ecological challenges faced by marginalized rural communities, VERVE highlights the importance of sustainable development and protecting the diversity of nature and culture (i.e. “biocultural diversity”), which helps build stronger, more resilient societies.
The project pursued its overall goal through four key objectives: developing the theory behind transformative social innovation, creating practical methods for collaborative visioning, using evidence to guide practice, and fostering learning for scientists, practitioners, and the community.
The outcomes of this project hold significant relevance for key European Union policy initiatives, particularly the EU Rural Vision 2040, the European Green Deal, and EU Social Cohesion policy.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

This project successfully met its goals from the beginning until the end of the project. A new framework for understanding and enacting socio-ecological change was developed and disseminated. A practical guide, "Imagining Vibrant Rural-Mountain Futures: A Field-Tested Toolkit of 25 Co-creative Methods," was created, offering 25 easy-to-use tools for communities to work together on their future. This toolkit was refined based on participant feedback and enhanced with three sets of user-friendly resources.
Photovoice, a particularly effective method, allowed individuals to express their stories through photography. A public exhibition showcasing these stories travelled to multiple locations over several months, fostering community dialogue. A range of qualitative, participatory, and co-creative methods, including surveys and workshops, engaged approximately 120 people in the process. The project fellow further expanded her expertise through 12 training events and a six-month exchange program at Wageningen University & Research, ensuring both knowledge acquisition and dissemination.
The project's findings were disseminated through various channels. Three research papers have been published or submitted, with two more planned for submission. Presentations at 10 international conferences reached around 200 attendees. Seven seminars engaged 120 participants, and eight lectures reached approximately 100 people. Three online webinars were hosted for 160 participants, and eleven workshops were conducted for 70 people. The fellow also participated in a Hackathon and presented at five additional public events. Furthermore, four school talks reached roughly 100 students.
A significant online presence was established, with over 35,000 LinkedIn views in 2024. Ten informative flyers and four website pages were also created to share the project's insights and outcomes.
Throughout, the project was managed with a strong emphasis on ethical responsibility.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

VERVE pushed the boundaries of traditional research by creating a new way of understanding transformative change and innovation, developing creative tools for communities, and focusing on the often-ignored "inner dimensions" of change, like values and beliefs. The project tested its unique community-driven methods—which combine creativity, hands-on experience, and future planning—with local communities in the case study area, and with scientists and practitioners outside the project. This real-world testing proved the methods' strength and usefulness in different situations. The expected results include the publication of scientific papers, dissemination of the VERVE Toolkit, and continued knowledge transfer through training and seminars.
The project has generated significant impacts across various areas, demonstrating its value beyond traditional academic research. It has advanced the career trajectory of the researcher involved, solidifying her standing as an expert in participatory methods for rural development.
VERVE has also fostered improved practices in rural community development by bridging the gap between academic research and local knowledge. The project's VERVE Toolkit, which offers practical tools for collaborative future visioning, has been used in educational settings, such as workshops with high school students, and by local initiatives like "Rigenera Montagna" and "Cansiglio InVita" to empower communities and drive positive change. This approach aligns with the European Union's goals for sustainable rural areas, promoting a more integrated and inclusive approach to addressing local challenges.
Moreover, the project has influenced policies and practices by demonstrating the value of community engagement in decision-making processes. Professional development courses for regional policymakers have incorporated VERVE's findings, encouraging a shift towards more collaborative, eco-logical and future-oriented approaches. The public exhibitions, particularly the Photovoice project, have sparked vital conversations about the future of rural regions, while local participants are now implementing VERVE's methodologies in their own projects, showcasing the project's capacity-building effect.
VERVE's impact extends to supporting global sustainability goals, contributing to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals related to well-being, gender equality, and climate action. The project has also pioneered innovative methods for sharing research with a broader audience, such as through public exhibitions and online videos, making complex concepts more accessible. Additionally, the project's methods have been successfully adapted for use in diverse settings, as exemplified by their application in an agricultural risk management project. In essence, VERVE has not only produced valuable research but has also empowered individuals and communities, influenced policies, and promoted a more collaborative and sustainable approach to rural development.

Logo of VERVE project (in English)

Logo of VERVE project (in Italian)