Periodic Reporting for period 1 - ESIRA (Enhancing Social Innovation in Rural Areas)
Reporting period: 2024-01-01 to 2025-06-30
Rural, mountainous, and remote areas represent around 80% of the EU’s territory, 30% of its population, and account for 46% of its gross value added, hosting most of the natural capital and cultural heritage. However, these areas face several challenges, such as low GDP per capita (high unemployment, low wages), a rapidly ageing population, and limited accessibility to goods and services. The main objective of ESIRA is to contribute to the roll-out of place-based, innovative social economy initiatives for rural inclusion and development in (marginalised) rural areas by supporting enabling frameworks, well-connected policy architecture, and directly piloting innovative solutions that ultimately build more inclusive, resilient, and prosperous rural areas.
To achieve this, ESIRA will implement a work plan focused on: (i) researching community-led rural innovation spaces capable of connecting and empowering actors, reinforcing social capital and a sense of community; (ii) nurturing and piloting social economy initiatives that strengthen inclusiveness and improve the living conditions of different population groups in vulnerable situations; (iii) stocktaking and formulating recommendations for policymakers to better support the third sector and local communities; and (iv) boosting knowledge exchange among local actors, building their capacities, and facilitating the scaling up and replication of social economy initiatives across rural Europe.
To achieve this, ESIRA will implement a work plan focused on: (i) researching community-led rural innovation spaces capable of connecting and empowering actors, reinforcing social capital and a sense of community; (ii) nurturing and piloting social economy initiatives that strengthen inclusiveness and improve the living conditions of different population groups in vulnerable situations; (iii) stocktaking and formulating recommendations for policymakers to better support the third sector and local communities; and (iv) boosting knowledge exchange among local actors, building their capacities, and facilitating the scaling up and replication of social economy initiatives across rural Europe.
ESIRA activities have enabled the description of rural ecosystems (including the actors involved, their relationships, governance structures, economic activities, and social context) and the identification of the drivers of social inclusion in nine regions across seven countries (Spain, Hungary, Lithuania, Italy, Poland, Serbia, and Norway). These analyses, together with the establishment of nine Multi-Actor Platforms (MAPs), serve as the basis for launching and developing community-led innovative spaces and social economy initiatives in nine European regions. The ESIRA project has made significant progress in researching the drivers of rural marginalisation and the opportunities for community-led social economy initiatives to foster social inclusion.
The benchmark study on social inclusion in rural areas synthesises information on the situation of the ESIRA pilot areas and their local communities. The analysis captures the living conditions of people in the pilot areas across the selected regions, highlighting social and economic similarities and differences in the challenges they face. The study also examines the drivers of vulnerability and social exclusion in representative rural contexts, considering the specific characteristics of different geographical areas and population groups. Furthermore, a multi-level analysis of social economy initiatives in rural regions explores the untapped potential of the social economy in addressing the key challenges facing rural areas.
During the reporting period, ESIRA has achieved important progress across its Multi-Actor Platforms. The Train-the-Trainers programme was designed and implemented in each MAP, including the development of training materials and the delivery of over 15 training activities. Regional dissemination actions were carried out to raise awareness about social inclusion, social innovation, and the social economy within each MAP territory. Both international and regional Communities of Practice (CoPs) have been launched and are now operational. In addition, Rural Labs have been established to support social economy initiatives and foster social innovation, while monitoring and evaluation have already begun. A first batch of over 50 social economy initiatives has been identified, with 45 currently receiving tailored support and guidance.
The benchmark study on social inclusion in rural areas synthesises information on the situation of the ESIRA pilot areas and their local communities. The analysis captures the living conditions of people in the pilot areas across the selected regions, highlighting social and economic similarities and differences in the challenges they face. The study also examines the drivers of vulnerability and social exclusion in representative rural contexts, considering the specific characteristics of different geographical areas and population groups. Furthermore, a multi-level analysis of social economy initiatives in rural regions explores the untapped potential of the social economy in addressing the key challenges facing rural areas.
During the reporting period, ESIRA has achieved important progress across its Multi-Actor Platforms. The Train-the-Trainers programme was designed and implemented in each MAP, including the development of training materials and the delivery of over 15 training activities. Regional dissemination actions were carried out to raise awareness about social inclusion, social innovation, and the social economy within each MAP territory. Both international and regional Communities of Practice (CoPs) have been launched and are now operational. In addition, Rural Labs have been established to support social economy initiatives and foster social innovation, while monitoring and evaluation have already begun. A first batch of over 50 social economy initiatives has been identified, with 45 currently receiving tailored support and guidance.
ESIRA has advanced both the theoretical and empirical understanding of social exclusion in rural areas through comparative studies conducted across diverse regional contexts, contributing to academic research and policy-relevant discussions on rural inclusion and development. In parallel, the project has carried out multi-level policy mapping and assessment, generating an original, practice-oriented evidence base on social economy initiatives operating in dispersed and vulnerable territories. Regarding theoretical contributions, the project is progressing in developing a new conceptual framework that connects social innovation and the social economy as key levers to improve living conditions in rural territories. Empirically, early evidence shows that Rural Labs are fostering collaboration between local actors, generating innovative solutions to pressing social needs, and creating spaces for experimentation and knowledge exchange that can be replicated in other regions.
These efforts have led to tangible, innovative results: the interaction between the collective work carried out within the Multi-Actor Platforms (MAPs), the ideas and innovations emerging from Rural Lab sessions, and the knowledge shared through ESIRA’s Communities of Practice has enabled the identification of more than 50 initiatives across nine rural regions in Europe, with strong potential to evolve into social economy ventures. These initiatives aim to enhance well-being and improve the economic and social opportunities of vulnerable groups in rural areas. Forty-five of them are already receiving tailored support from ESIRA partners, including legal and financial advisory services, business plan development, and training on sustainability and social innovation. The project has also developed training materials and delivered over 15 training activities in MAPs, building local capacities and promoting governance participation among vulnerable groups.
These efforts have led to tangible, innovative results: the interaction between the collective work carried out within the Multi-Actor Platforms (MAPs), the ideas and innovations emerging from Rural Lab sessions, and the knowledge shared through ESIRA’s Communities of Practice has enabled the identification of more than 50 initiatives across nine rural regions in Europe, with strong potential to evolve into social economy ventures. These initiatives aim to enhance well-being and improve the economic and social opportunities of vulnerable groups in rural areas. Forty-five of them are already receiving tailored support from ESIRA partners, including legal and financial advisory services, business plan development, and training on sustainability and social innovation. The project has also developed training materials and delivered over 15 training activities in MAPs, building local capacities and promoting governance participation among vulnerable groups.