Rural Labs as Engines of Social Innovation
Rural Labs in the ESIRA project acted as collaborative spaces for testing and prototyping social economy solutions based on priorities identified through Multi-Actor Platforms (MAPs). These Labs enable residents, experts, and facilitators to co-create actionable ideas tailored to rural needs. In Pinares Rural Lab (Spain), five thematic groups focus on areas such as healthcare, culture, entrepreneurship, environment, and sustainable tourism. Their structure—small, focused working groups supported by mentoring—allows for faster decision-making, deeper community engagement, and more practical outcomes. Challenges include sustaining long-term participation, especially among underrepresented groups. This was addressed by offering visible short-term outcomes, flexible meeting formats, and trust-based engagement. Rural Labs stand out as adaptable innovation hubs that transform citizen input into tangible, community-led solutions. For rural development practitioners, they demonstrate how local energy and inclusive processes can catalyse effective innovation when aligned with regional strategies and supported by facilitation and follow-up mechanisms. More information on the Pinares Rural Lab and its working groups is available at: https://www.esira.eu/esira-pinares-rural-lab-forms-five-working-groups-….
Enhancing Social Innovation in Rural Areas
Ongoing | 2024-2027
- Main funding source
- Horizon Europe (EU Research and Innovation Programme)
- Geographical location
- Hungary, Italy, Lithuania, Poland, Spain, Norway, Republic of Serbia