Innovative responses to rural demographic shifts: key takeaway from RUSTIK first regional workshop!

Gathered around the theme of demographic change and innovative responses to it, three living labs from the RUSTIK project: Rhein-Hunsrück (Germany), North Karelia (Finland), and Monmouthshire (UK) came together on June 5th to present and exchange ideas on shared challenges in the heart of Koli National Park, Finland.

This event aimed to disseminate the results developed within these real-life laboratory of the project and trigger peer-to-peer discussions.

Simo Rautiainen, a doctoral researcher at the University of Eastern Finland and the Karelian Institute, set the scene by introducing the host region North Karelia and outlining its demographic challenges over the period 1980 to 2024.

These three Living Labs, regional innovation hubs that experiment with real-world solutions to rural issues, then presented their unique, locally adapted approaches to addressing demographic specificities. Despite the geographical distance, many common patterns emerged.

Svea Thietje and Achim Kistner, both working within the Rhein-Hunsrück Living Lab, presented ongoing initiatives aimed at strengthening the region’s demographic resilience. They highlighted two key challenges: out-migration among young people aged 18 to 25, and the gap between supply and demand in the training and apprenticeship market.

Their Living Lab’s approach to addressing these challenges involved analysing mismatches in the apprenticeship landscape and improving alignment through a series of actions: organizing focus groups, co-designing surveys, and conducting interviews with both young people and employers (including agencies, job centres, and local administrations).
They shared the following key achievements:

  1. Created a well-founded database on the needs and obstacles faced by both young people and employers in relation to apprenticeships and vocational training.
  2. Ensured that young people’s voices were heard and considered in discussions around training.
  3. Created new networks and revived old ones, fostering dialogue among stakeholders.
  4. Attracted political attention — both at the district and regional levels — and initiated discussions with policymakers based on the findings.

In North Karelia, Aura Liski, project Manager at the Regional Council of North Karelia, presented a survey aimed at collecting data on the integration of immigrants in the region. The data is intended to help municipalities improve their integration services and better support the successful settlement of immigrants, given that the latest reform of the 2025 Integration Act, which made municipalities responsible for promoting the integration of immigrants, lacked the tools and data to evaluate and develop their integration services.

The survey was developed and launched in spring 2024 and has since been expanded to other municipalities in the region. An improved version of the survey is currently being prepared through a multidisciplinary collaboration with regional stakeholders.

Finally, Demelza Jones, Research Fellow at the University of Gloucestershire and representative of the Monmouthshire Living Lab, highlighted how a survey incorporating emotion-based questions on belonging and aspirations, combined with geo-referenced data and secondary datasets, enabled deeper insights and allowed for meaningful local-level comparisons.

In the context of Monmouthshire, which is marked by an ageing population as well as challenges related to housing, employment, and transport, this experimental approach provided valuable understanding of the needs and expectations of younger residents in the region.

Beyond the sharing of achievements, successes, and challenges, the panel discussions also revealed a strong desire to continue these initiatives beyond the timeframe of the project, as some of the results have proven to be valuable tools in themselves for other stakeholders.

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.