Navigating the transition of Garfagnana: Embracing Socio-Economic and Environmental Challenges

Navigating the transition of Garfagnana: A Journey into Socio-Economic & Environmental Transitions!

Nestled in the northern part of Tuscany, the Garfagnana region, comprising Media Valle del Serchio, Alta Versilia, and Appennino Pistoiese, stands as a picturesque landscape covering 2110 km2. The area, home to 27 municipalities, is under the purview of LAG Montagnappennino, the driving force behind the LEADER programme. As we delve into the complexities of Garfagnana, we uncover a rich tapestry of socio-economic, demographic, climate, and environmental transitions.

Socio-economic and Demographic Transition:

At the heart of Garfagnana’s challenges lies the persistent issue of depopulation. From 2011 to 2020, the region experienced a concerning -7.58% decrease in total population. Distinct challenges include uneven distribution of commercial services, generational renewal hurdles, a less attractive environment for new investments, historic center degradation, limited accessibility to services for non-capital residents, and entrepreneurial gaps in the social sector. To address these, a multifaceted approach is essential, focusing on social capital, community regeneration, and innovative models for local development.

Climate and Environmental Transition:

With a landscape dominated by forests (88% coverage in 2020), Garfagnana’s natural wealth is both a strength and a vulnerability. The majority comprises mature forests (86%), witnessing a 15% growth between 2013 and 2020. Balancing sustainable forest use for productivity and preventing uncontrolled forest spread due to abandonment emerges as a critical challenge. Recognizing the multifunctionality of forests is imperative, transforming them into sources of recreation, climate change mitigation, and cultural significance. Civic uses, particularly through local forest cooperatives, are vital for harmonizing the needs of both the community and the environment.

Living Lab Challenge:

Garfagnana’s Living Lab confronts the intertwined challenges of socio-economic and environmental transitions. Community projects emerge as a beacon of hope, fostering cooperation, strengthening social capital, and building synergies between local initiatives. The focus on civic uses and multifunctional forest models aims to create a balance between social and environmental goals. The region’s response to the COVID-19 emergency showcases the potential of community-driven regeneration projects, aligning with the goal of preserving social capital and revitalizing local communities.

Rationale:

The symbiotic relationship between socio-economic and environmental transitions becomes evident in Garfagnana’s response to the COVID-19 crisis. The MontagnAppennino LAG, acting as a pillar of social cohesion, initiated community regeneration projects to stimulate development ideas and enhance the quality of life in rural territories. The key lies in creating and increasing social capital, an essential element in retaining the local population. Simultaneously, the region recognizes the potential of its vast forest cover, focusing on sustainable forest use, climate change mitigation, and ecosystem service recognition.

Policy Relevance: With upcoming LEADER programming and participation in the National Strategy for Inner Areas, Garfagnana sees an opportunity to solidify and support pilot experiences arising from community regeneration projects and forest-focused initiatives. Data and analysis play a pivotal role in guiding ongoing processes, adapting future actions, and providing a foundation for governance choices. Collaboration with regional authorities and self-evaluation processes is crucial for demonstrating the effectiveness of actions to the European Union.

Research Questions:

  • How can sustainable forest use be promoted to support local added value and prevent uncontrolled forest spread?
  • What role do community projects play in fostering cooperation, strengthening social capital, and building synergies between local initiatives?

Emerging Data Needs:

  • Comprehensive knowledge of forest stock, ownership structure, and management plans.
  • In-depth understanding of qualitative dimensions like social capital, trust, and reciprocity.
  • Monitoring immigration and policies attracting new residents.
  • Data collection on third-sector projects and their socio-economic impacts.

Data Availability:

  • Adequate regional and national data for forest heritage characteristics.
  • Existing data on qualitative dimensions but a need for case studies on community regeneration.
  • Collaboration with IRPET for socio-economic, demographic, and public expenditure data.

Garfagnana’s transition journey is a testament to the intricate balance needed between human and environmental well-being. As the Living Lab unfolds, it becomes a living example of how data, collaboration, and innovative approaches can pave the way for a sustainable and vibrant future.

Stay tuned for updates on this captivating journey into the heart of Tuscany!

 

Unveiling the Rural Renaissance: A Paradigm Shift in Understanding Functional Rural Areas

In a webinar hosted by the GRANULAR project on February 28, 2024, we witnessed a pivotal moment in the redefinition of our perception of rural areas.

In a webinar hosted by the GRANULAR project on February 28, 2024, we witnessed a pivotal moment in the redefinition of our perception of rural areas. This event, organized by the European Association for Innovation in Local Development (AEIDL), marked the 2nd Knowledge Transfer Accelerator activity, bringing together thought leaders, researchers, and practitioners from over 22 EU Member States, the UK, Switzerland, Turkey, and several African countries. Notably, the webinar featured active participation from the RUSTIK project,  contributing valuable insights to the discourse.

Historical Context: A Call for Nuanced Understanding

Traditionally, rural areas have been characterized by simplistic metrics such as population density and proximity to urban centers. However, this approach oversimplifies the complex reality of rural spaces, ignoring the diverse functionalities and rural-urban interactions that shape these regions. Recognizing this limitation, the latest EU Council conclusions on the EU’s Long-Term Vision for Rural Areas (LTVRA) emphasized the need for a more profound understanding of rural diversity. This is seen as a crucial step toward fostering place-based rural development and aligning with EU policies and strategies, including Cohesion Policy and the Common Agricultural Policy.

The Webinar’s Vision: Functional Rural Areas as the New Frontier

The webinar aimed to introduce a transformative perspective on rural diversity, focusing on the lens of rural (multi)functionalities. A ‘Scoping report on rural typologies across Europe’ provided an analysis of existing rural typologies, setting the stage for a conceptual framework centered on functionalities and synergies with urban territories. Leveraging insights from the Horizon Europe RUSTIK and GRANULAR projects, the webinar initiated a crucial discussion on the necessity for more comprehensive rural typologies for assessment and statistical purposes at both EU and national levels.

Insights Unveiled: A Glimpse into the Webinar Presentations

The agenda featured enlightening presentations that deepened our understanding of this paradigm shift:

  • Overview of Rural Typologies in Europe by Mats Stjernberg (Nordregio):

    Unveiling findings from the ‘Scoping report on rural typologies across Europe, ‘ Stjernberg provided a comprehensive state-of-the-art analysis of territorial typologies at the EU level and across 27 European regions.

  • Rural Multi-Functionalities by Henk Oostindie & Bettina Bock (Wageningen University):

    Demonstrating the integration of multi-spatiality and multi-functionalities into a Rural Diversity Compass, Oostindie and Bock showcased a prototype that categorizes rural functionalities into residential, productive, recreational, and environmental components.

  • Developing a Definition of Functional Rural Areas by Lewis Dijkstra (Joint Research Centre):

    Dijkstra introduced the recently-developed EU definition for Functional Rural Areas (FRA), offering an analytical picture of rural territories and service provision.

  • Functional Rural Areas and Beyond by Francesco Mantino (CREA):

    Mantino, author of RUSTIK’s report on “Methodological framework to define Functional Rural Areas and rural transitions,” emphasized the need for a new definition of “rural” based on functionalities, neo-endogenous theories, and network connectivity.

Reflecting on the Future: Redefining Ruralities

The webinar culminated in a thought-provoking round table discussion where speakers reflected on how redefining ruralities can enhance rural understanding and policy-making. The consensus was that a functionality-based approach provides a more nuanced and granular picture of rural areas, acknowledging their diverse needs and opportunities.

Looking Ahead: The Path to a Functional Future

As we navigate the post-2027 programming period, the insights from this webinar echo the sentiments expressed by the High-Level Group on the Future of EU Cohesion Policy. Identifying spatially concentrated challenges and understanding multiple dynamics emerge as key challenges for future EU territorial development policies.

In conclusion, the webinar has set the stage for a new era in rural development. By shifting our focus from traditional classifications to a functionality-based approach, we can unlock the true potential of rural areas. The collaboration between GRANULAR and RUSTIK, along with the active engagement of experts from diverse regions, showcases the collective effort towards a more comprehensive and insightful understanding of rural landscapes. The journey has just begun, and the road to functional rural areas promises to be transformative for the future of rural policy and development.

For more detailed information you can watch the webinar recording!

Join us in reshaping the narrative around rural areas and contributing to the Rural Renaissance!

 

Rhein-Hunsrück Region in Germany: Addressing Socio-Economic Transitions and Bridging the Gap Between Businesses and Young Talent

Living lab of Rhein-Hunsrück Region in Germany

Embarking on a journey into the heart of Germany, the Rhein-Hunsrück region emerges as a captivating landscape of both challenges and potential. Nestled in the state of Rhineland-Palatinate, this predominantly rural district stands at the forefront of socio-economic and demographic transitions, navigating complexities in the face of an ageing population and a shifting employment landscape. With a keen focus on addressing these challenges, the Rhein-Hunsrück region is looking for solutions trough is participation in the RUSTIK project.

The  collaboration between the Institute for Regional Development and Structural Planning (IFLs) and the Regionalrat Wirtschaft Wirtschaftsförderung, which oversees regional economic development, aims to unravel the intricacies of socio-economic transition processes, offering a unique perspective shaped by the region’s economic development efforts and an extensive network of stakeholders. Join us as we delve into the dynamics of Rhein-Hunsrück, where the journey towards sustainable change unfolds against the backdrop of demographic shifts and the pursuit of a more vibrant, attractive future for both businesses and the emerging workforce.

Key District Statistics:

  • Area: 99,107 hectares
  • Population Density: 107.3 inhabitants/km²
  • Population: 64,568 enterprises
  • Majority: Nearly 4,430 small and very small businesses (fewer than 50 employees)
  • Larger Businesses: Only 21 with more than 250 employees

Transition Focus: Socio-economic and Demographic Challenges:

Facing socio-economic and demographic challenges, Rhein-Hunsrück experiences a shortage of skilled workers across various industries, with unfilled training and apprenticeship positions. The region, while economically sound, struggles to attract and retain a diverse workforce.

Living Lab Challenge: Bridging Gaps in Talent and Job Opportunities

Within the Rhein-Hunsrück region, the pivotal challenge focuses on addressing the mismatch between job opportunities and the skilled workforce. Despite the region’s favorable economic standing, there’s a shortage of skilled workers across various industries, with unfilled training and apprenticeship positions adding to the complexity. The challenge also extends to essential services, particularly in medical and nursing care, raising concerns about the region’s ability to attract and retain talent. This Living Lab endeavors to analyze this “mismatching problem” comprehensively, aiming to understand the specific needs and aspirations of both local small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and diverse groups of young individuals. By exploring innovative solutions, the Living Lab seeks to strengthen connections, foster collaboration, and initiate new networks to overcome these challenges.

Rationale and Policy Relevance:

As a crucial link between economic development and creating an attractive living and working environment, the Living Lab addresses challenges identified through discussions with local stakeholders. The project aligns with state-level strategies for skilled workers and demographic change, recognizing the need for holistic solutions.

Research Questions and Emerging Data Needs:

The Living Lab seeks to answer questions about challenges faced by SMEs in filling training and job vacancies, the requirements of young people in the region, and how new data can improve the match between supply and demand. Emerging data needs include detailed insights from both enterprises and young people.

Data Availability and Limitations:

While statistical data on apprenticeships, job openings, and demographic information is available, limitations exist in linking this data at the NUTS 3 level. The challenge lies in obtaining accurate information about job seekers and apprenticeship seekers, as not all positions are reported to employment agencies.

The Living Lab Rhein-Hunsrück represents a proactive effort to bridge the gap between available opportunities and the potential workforce, ensuring a sustainable and vibrant future for the region.