Soon after the SERIGO project began, the research phase kicked off with the development of an Initial Integrated Conceptual Framework. This framework provides a structured way to understand the complex and connected factors that drive vulnerability and social exclusion in different rural settings. It also helps explore how the social and solidarity economy (SSE) can support resilience, social inclusion, and a good life in these areas.
SERIGO has started to implement 24 case studies in rural regions across 12 countries (Austria, Estonia, Spain, Finland, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Sweden, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Türkiye). These case studies examine concluded or mature projects, exploring structural and agency-related factors that shape conditions of exclusion, as well as the drivers, barriers, and risks influencing the impact of SSE and social entrepreneurship on vulnerable groups.
In parallel, preparations have begun for five experimental pilot actions to be co-created with local actors in five countries. Each pilot focuses on a specific target group: refugee women in Austria, women in rural Finland, Roma communities in Slovakia, older adults in Estonia, and disadvantaged populations—including youth and the unemployed—in Slovenia. These actions aim to generate situated knowledge about vulnerabilities and capabilities, foster local empowerment through co-creation laboratories, and explore the potential of social enterprises as enablers of long-term social inclusion.
To connect the project’s above-mentioned theoretical/conceptual work and the empirical and action research, SERIGO has also developed an Integrated Analytical Framework. Its aim is to provide a clear structure for unpacking complex issues found in the case studies and pilot actions. By breaking down these challenges into definable, manageable parts, the framework allows for a deeper understanding of the underlying dynamics.
