Exploring European Geospatial Data Tools

The Rustik partners are continuing their learning journey, acquiring new insights to develop their data experiments. Recently, MCRIT and the Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona organized a training session on European geospatial data tools. Participants gained skills in data visualization, downloading capabilities, and basic analysis, focusing on:

  • Using web tools to search and download satellite imagery and related data.
  • Conducting visual analysis of geospatial data, including comparisons and time-lapse views.
  • Identifying and accessing relevant data for specific areas of interest.
  • Applying geospatial data tools effectively in their work or projects.

Copernicus Tools: Copernicus, the EU’s Earth observation program, provides free and accessible information services from satellite and in-situ data sources. Tools include:

  • Sentinel-1: Radar imagery for land and ocean services.
  • Sentinel-2: High-resolution optical imagery for monitoring vegetation, soil, and water.
  • Sentinel-3: Data for marine and land services, such as ocean and land surface temperature.
  • Sentinel-6: Altimetry data for measuring global sea-surface height.

Copernicus Data Space Ecosystem CDSE This platform offers real-time data access, customizable imagery rendering, and extensive cloud options for processing Copernicus data.

Copernicus Land Monitoring Service (CLMS): Provides essential land cover information for applications in spatial planning, agriculture, and climate change mitigation.

EEA and JRC Tools: The European Environment Agency (EEA) and Joint Research Centre (JRC) offer tools like the JRC Data Catalogue, European Drought Observatory, Urban Data Platform, and European Soil Data Centre (ESDAC). These tools support various applications in spatial planning, forest management, water management, agriculture, and more.

Explore these tools and data resources for informed decision-making and impactful projects.

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!

 

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.

RUSTIK Living Lab in Austria Spotlighted in the ‘Living Labs in Rural Areas: How To?’ Webinar

Living labs

In the picturesque landscapes of Carinthia, Austria, the Nockregion-Oberkärnten faces a set of challenges that demand innovative solutions for sustainable development. Daria Ernst, representing the Federal Institute of Agricultural Economics, Rural and Mountain Research (BAB), took center stage at the “Living Labs in rural areas: HOW TO? Knowledge Transfer Accelerator” organized by the Granular project and the European Association for Innovation in Local Development (AEIDL). 

The Living Lab Pilot Region, nestled in Carinthia, spans 1,324 km², encompassing 17 municipalities with a population of 52,500. The region grapples with significant issues, including an imbalanced job structure, deficits in job supply, high commuter rates, out-migration of young people and women, and an aging population. 

Daria Ernst adeptly introduced two pivotal topics for the Living Lab challenge, considered and deliberated with the Project Review Panel and the Focus Group, aligning with the regional strategy: 

Initially, they contemplated channelling efforts into the implementation of a Quality of Life (QoL) Index tailored specifically to Nockregion-Oberkärnten. This innovative tool aspired to gauge progress and territorial development, offering nuanced insights into diverse facets of the region’s wellbeing. However, this proposal encountered several critical issues: 

  • Challenge of Comparability: Addressing the intricate task of ensuring the QoL Index’s comparability with other regions. 
  • Living Lab Approach Hurdles: Tackling challenges associated with the applicability of the Living Lab approach. 
  • Data Gaps and Capacity Constraints: Identifying and surmounting crucial data gaps and capacity constraints. 

Subsequently, an alternative path emerged as the focal point of this Living Lab endeavor – the establishment of a Network of Small Rural Businesses (SRB), an area overlooked in previous projects. Discussions revealed an absence of representation for SRBs in regional strategies, emphasizing the need to address this gap. The rationale and objectives for this initiative include:  

  • Data Gap Pinpointing: Systematically identifying and addressing data gaps while mapping the current regional state. 
  • Comprehensive Understanding: Cultivating a profound understanding of the challenges confronted by entrepreneurs and business owners. 
  • Justifying the Necessity: Utilizing meticulously collected data to substantiate the imperative of instituting a regional network/platform for SRBs. 
  • Central Hub Functionality: Picturing the envisioned platform as a pivotal central hub adept at addressing challenges and providing indispensable support. 
  • Innovation Pathway: Charting a course that paves the way for innovative projects in unwavering support of SRBs. 

Daria Ernst’s presentation not only showcased a thoughtful consideration of challenges but also illuminated a strategic roadmap for transformative action, promising impactful contributions to the socio-economic fabric of Nockregion-Oberkärnten. As these Living Lab initiatives progress, they hold the potential to redefine the narrative of rural development, furnishing invaluable insights and solutions applicable to analogous regions globally. 

Interacting with EU Projects 

Participation in this webinar provided a valuable opportunity to engage with various projects focused on rural development. Presentations from GRANULAR, SHERPA, ROBUST, and insights beyond European projects were shared, fostering a collaborative exchange of ideas and strategies. The interaction emphasized the pivotal role of Living Labs in shaping effective policies for rural advancement. As the discussions unfold, the shared experiences promise to enhance the collective knowledge pool and drive impactful initiatives in the realm of rural development.