Exploring the impacts of collaborative workspaces in rural and peripheral areas in the EU

Project Information

Coral

Grant agreement ID: 955907

DOI

10.3030/955907

Project closed

EC signature date 17 August 2020

Start date 1 January 2021

End date 31 October 2025

Funded under

• EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions

Total cost

€ 3 837 030,48

EU contribution

€ 3 837 030,48

Coordinated by

PANTEIO PANEPISTIMIO KOINONIKON KAIPOLITIKON EPISTIMON
Greece

Periodic Reporting for period 2 - Coral (Exploring the impacts of collaborative workspaces in rural and peripheral areas in the EU)

Reporting period: 2023-01-01 to 2025-10-31

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

Collaborative workspaces (hereafter CWS, such as coworking spaces, fab labs, creative hubs etc.) for freelancers, self-employed, remote workers and start-ups are increasingly becoming a subject of local and regional economic development policies as they are considered important intermediaries that help deliver entrepreneurial growth and local innovation agendas. These spaces have been emerging since the early 2000’s promoting a collaborative, community-based approach to the organisation of new modes of independent work such as freelance or self-employment, mainly in the field of cultural and creative industries. Whereas the vast majority of CWS are located in metropolitan areas and urban agglomerations, we recently observed the gradual spread of CWS in less densely populated cities in rural and even peripheral regions across the EU that face particular challenges such as brain drain, low investments level, little entrepreneurship etc. These rural CWS differ in terms of scopes, functions and impacts compared to those in urban agglomerations. CORAL-ITN aims to unpack the latent dynamics and impacts of CWS in rural and peripheral areas and integrate them as development tools in local and regional policies to open new potentials for socio-economic development. The project provides specialized and tailor-made training to young researchers to better understand (and support) the development processes of CWS in rural and peripheral areas, their wider impacts at the local and regional level, as well as at the level of the individual worker and the enterprise.

CORAL unpacks its overarching objectives in three Research Objectives and one Training Objective that lead to three research and one training work package:
- MO1 Educate young researchers in better understanding the scope, functions, and impact of CWS in different socio-spatial contexts
RO1 Research the transformative socio-economic impacts of CWS in rural and peripheral areas
RO2 Investigate the effects of rural and peripheral CWS on the individual and the enterprise
- MO2 Train self-reflexive specialists in complex multi-agent decision making for local socio-economic policy of CWS
RO3 Formulate policy recommendations for the effective development of CWS in rural and peripheral areas
TO1 Provide a focused training programme to equip young researchers with specific skills and raise their employability

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

During the second reporting period (M25-M58) all recruited ESRs, beneficiaries and partnering organisations have paid their best efforts in all Work Packages and different tasks and the implementation progress, on the scientific, training, communication & dissemination and management level:

(A) Scientific Progress
CORAL ESRs completed their second round of secondments, marking the end of the empirical phase of their research, following the amended plan (AMD-955907-13, 20/02/2024) approved by the EC. By Month 58, all ESRs had submitted defended, finalised, or draft PhD theses: four defended (ESR2, ESR6, ESR11, ESR13), four finalised awaiting defence (ESR3, ESR4, ESR7, ESR9), and seven drafts (ESR1, ESR5, ESR8, ESR10, ESR12, ESR14, ESR15). All ESRs updated their Career Development Plans, defining long-term objectives and recording achievements with their supervisors.
Research across the three WPs produced strong scientific output: 20 peer-reviewed publications and 78 conference presentations, mostly at international venues. A Working Group of ESRs, supported by the PMO, coordinated the CORAL MOOC, to which all ESRs contributed according to a jointly designed structure covering context, challenges, definitions, implementation, socio-environmental and economic impacts, policy, and conclusions. ESRs also co-produced a documentary highlighting project achievements, fieldwork stories, and rural collaborative spaces. They received media-skills training and produced video material consolidated into a 40-minute film.
Moreover, CORAL produced three Policy Briefs. In addition, the consortium co-produced the edited volume Collaborative Workspaces Beyond the Urban Economy (Springer Nature, 2025), currently under eProof.

(B) Training
CORAL-ITN delivered extensive training activities, including the 3rd Coral School (M31, Sicily, July 2023), the 4th Coral School (M42, Upper Austria, June 2024), and a WP meeting (M25, Athens, Jan 2023). The Final Conference (Athens, 11–13 Nov 2024) gathered over 150 participants for keynotes, roundtables, and paper sessions. ESRs used the event to discuss joint publications and refine the analysis leading into their final project year.
(C) Implementation Progress
A total of 28 deliverables and five updates were completed on time. All milestones were achieved: M5 (secondments completed), M6 (empirical phase completed), M7 (analytical phase completed), M8 (training activities finished), M9 (dissemination and communication completed), and M10 (project completed). Following a 10-month extension, CORAL concluded at Month 58 with all results and administrative requirements fulfilled.
(D) Communication & Dissemination
All communication and dissemination activities were regularly reported, and KPIs were continuously monitored.
(E) Management
The consortium ensured effective governance, while the PMO oversaw deliverable quality checks and coordinated both Periodic Reports.

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)

CORAL-ITN generated new empirical, conceptual and comparative knowledge on the transformative socio-economic impacts of CWS in rural and peripheral regions. Additionally, it produced new empirical and conceptual knowledge on how CWS shape the lives of individual workers and the development of enterprises in rural and peripheral areas. Finally, it translated its extensive empirical research on CWS into actionable, evidence-based policy recommendations that support their sustainable development in rural and peripheral regions. Training schools, field visits, and other research training activities trained ESRs to become independent researchers. This objective is directly linked to their career after the completion of the project.

Moreover, CORAL has generated significant impact on ESRs, partner institutions, and CWS practitioners.
For ESRs, the programme provided high-quality scientific and transferable-skills training, combining advanced seminars, interdisciplinary collaboration, and frequent opportunities to present research. International and intersectoral secondments strengthened their practical experience, intercultural skills, and professional networks, greatly enhancing their employability across academic, policy, and industry sectors.
For partner institutions, CORAL expanded international collaboration, improved capacity to manage MSCA projects, and fostered closer links between academic and non-academic partners. Practice partners gained new insights into CWS dynamics in rural and peripheral areas, applying this knowledge in future initiatives. Several universities have begun integrating CORAL-inspired training structures and materials—such as the MOOC and documentary—into their curricula.
For CWS practitioners, CORAL provided research-based knowledge, comparative insights, and new tools to understand and strengthen their community impact. Through workshops and co-created outputs, practitioners accessed practical guidance and contributed to shared learning. The programme enhanced their ability to adapt to local needs, operate sustainably, and participate in wider European innovation and development debates.

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Coral Main/Research/Training Objectives