Троян-Априлци-Угърчин, България: Изследване на непознатия потенциал на селските агро-хранителни системи

Сгушен в сърцето на Балканите, регионът Троян-Априлци-Угърчин (ТАУ) в България е пилотен пример за трансформационни инициативи. Обхващайки общините Троян, Априлци и Угърчин, този район се простира на 1650,2 км² с население от 33 858 души. ТАУ е разположен на стратегическо място, само на 150 км североизточно от София, с ключова роля за свързването на столицата с Черно море. 

  • Фокус върху прехода: Социално-икономически и демографски промени

Регионът на ТАУ е изправен пред социално-икономически и демографски предизвикателства, в основата на които стои обезлюдяването. Неформалната икономика, характерът на работните места и етническата сегрегация допринасят за този проблем. Въпреки богатството на природни ресурси регионът се бори да започне да ги използва по-ефективно за икономическо и социално развитие.

  • Предизвикателство за живата лаборатория: Ориентиране в непознатия потенциал на хранителните системи в селските райони

Основното предизвикателство, идентифицирано в ТАУ , се върти около необходимостта от разбирането на неизползвания потенциал на хранителните системи в селските райони и техния принос за справяне със социално-икономическите и демографските промени. Пропуските в данните за връзките между производството и потреблението на храни, както и липсата на сътрудничество между местните участници, възпрепятстват напредъка. Екипът на МИГ ТАУ и Софийски университет има за цел да проучи как могат да бъдат насърчени местните агро-хранителните системи в селските райони, как по-добре да бъдат свързани професионалните училища и местните предприятия и как могат да бъдат преодолени проблеми като несправедливите плащания и недекларираната заетост в хранително-вкусовия сектор.

  • Обосновка: Акцент върху храната като обединяваща сила

Храната се превърна в основен фокус на изследване за „живата лаборатория“ изградена от Софийски университет и МИГ ТАУ, като „пъзел“ от местни социално-икономически и културни практики, които имат потенциал да преодоляват различията и да предлагат бъдещо развитие на региона, както в областта на селското стопанство, но и на рпомишлеността и на услугите. Липсата на местни и регионални, по-широки и подпомагащи политики в тази област е пряко свързана и със значителната липса на данни. Като се концентрира върху хранителните системи, изследователският експеримент има за цел да допрунесе за по-доброто адресиране на социално-икономическите проблеми на територията на ТАУ.

  • Значение за политиките: Проправяне на пътя към политики за храните в селските райони 

На територията на ТАУ липсва цялостна политика за устойчиво развитие на местните храни. Експериментът, който RUSTIK провежда се стреми да запълни тази празнина, като предоставя знания, данни и модели за разработване на политики и мерки. Съобразявайки се с регионалните и местните политики, експериментът би могъл да отговори на проблемите, свързани с насърчаване на устойчивия икономически растеж чрез инициативи, свързанинасочени към развитие на местните храни. 

  • Изследователски въпроси: Разкриване на динамиката на хранителните системи в селските райони 

Експериментът търси отговори на важни въпроси:

  • Как хранителната система в селските райони влияе върху местното предприемачество и тенденциите за завръщане на млади в агро-хранителния сектор? 
  • Каква е ролята на семейните градини за местните икономики и социално-икономическите неравенства? 
  • Как хранителните системи в селските райони си взаимодействат с градските икономики и кои градски икономики им влияят? 
  • Може ли запазването на местните хранителни традиции да допринесе за устойчивостта на общността и чувството за принадлежност към територията? 
  • Кои фактори правят местния агро-хранителен сектор привлекателен за новодошлите и туристите, като насърчават устойчивите местни икономики? 

 

  • Възникваща нужда от данни: Преодоляване на празнината в познанията 

Експериментът се сблъсква с липсата на данни за различни аспекти, свързани с агро-хранителния сектор, като например достъпът на местното население до пресни, сезонни и местни храни, сътрудничеството между професионалните училища и местните предприятия в областта на агро-хранителния сектор и ролята на семейните градини за поддържане на местните хранителни традиции и много други. За да се преодолее този проблем, се проучват нови и вече съществуващи източници, с цел да се създаде цялостна карта на храните в селските райони. 

  • Наличност на данни: Източници за експеримента

Експериментът разчита на комбинация от налични, но неизследвани и нови източници на данни, включително регистри на земеделски производители, преработватели и търговци, предприятия за преработка на храни, социални кухни, ресторанти и много др. Въпреки това възникват ограничения поради непубличния характер на някои набори от данни, което възпрепятства детайлния анализ. Той се допълва и от неструктурирани качествени данни и от данни, извличани по ексеприментален път от определени актьори в агро-хранителния сектор. 

  • Предизвикателства и възможности пред осъществяването на ексепримента: Навигиране по пътя напред

Предизвикателствата пред експеримента се състоят предимно в ограничения, свързани с достъп до ключови набори от данни, непълни или липсващи регистри, като например този на семейните градини. Участващите партньори притежават необходимите компетенции за преодоляване на тези предизвикателства, като се насочват към алтернативни методи и източници на данни. 

Разгръщането на експеримента RUSTIK в ТАУ обещава не само да разкрие потенциала на агро-хранителните системи в селските райони, но и да проправи пътя за изграждане на информирани политики, които могат да насърчат устойчивото развитие и да допринесат за по-добра регионална икономика в областта на храните. Екипът на „живата лаборатория“, действаща на територията на Троян-Априлци-Угърчин ще ви информира своевременно за резултатите от дейността си. 

Fostering Social Inclusion and Tackling Food Waste in Slovenia’s Osrednjeslovenska Region

The Osrednjeslovenska region in Slovenia, with 25 municipalities and nine urban settlements, faces diverse challenges despite being densely populated. While some areas have well-developed central functions, others lack essential services, impacting living standards and increasing traffic congestion.

The Rustik Living Lab (LL) in Slovenia targets food loss and waste (FLW) and its connection to social inclusion and entrepreneurship. These issues were chosen for their societal relevance and to leverage partners’ strengths. The LL aims to address data gaps regarding rural poverty, access to food, and subjective quality of life.

Living Lab Challenge

The LL aims to link partners’ expertise in FLW and social inclusion to address the real-time acquisition of excess food and its redistribution to underprivileged rural segments. By assessing the impact on subjective well-being, the LL seeks to explore how social innovation in FLW management can improve the quality of life in vulnerable rural communities.

Rationale

The chosen challenge reflects societal importance and partner expertise, focusing on dignity and social inclusion. Poverty, social exclusion, and limited access to quality food are more pronounced in rural areas. Urban areas may contribute significantly to FLW, presenting an opportunity for mutually beneficial relationships.

Data on FLW are often outdated, while information on social exclusion in rural areas is limited. Current estimates suggest around 10% of people are at risk of poverty in the region. Examining subjective well-being and social inclusion requires new approaches and social innovation.

Policy Relevance

Policy measures to mitigate poverty and FLW can benefit from concrete data on FLW prevention and subjective well-being improvement. Improved well-being could address other policy issues like rural out-migration and limited access to services. The LL aims to develop replicable good practices for policy implementation.

Research Questions

  • How can excess food be provided to those in need while preserving dignity and promoting social inclusion?
  • What is the relationship between food, access to food, and subjective well-being, and how can it be measured?

Data gaps exist in real-time information on excess food availability and the needs of rural communities. Acquiring sensitive data ethically and ensuring confidentiality pose challenges.

Emerging software solutions offer insights into food waste mitigation. Consultations with institutions working with marginalized groups will explore ways to reach individuals in need while protecting confidentiality and dignity.

The Rustik Living Lab in Slovenia addresses pressing societal issues by tackling FLW and promoting social inclusion. By leveraging data and social innovation, the LL aims to create replicable good practices that inform policy and improve the well-being of rural communities.

Enhancing Rural Development in Serbia’s Zaječar District: Focus on Short Food Supply Chains and Tourism

Map of the Living Lab in Zaječar District

The Zaječar district, in eastern Serbia, encompasses four municipalities with around 97,000 inhabitants. Despite distinct economic dynamics, they share challenges like lower wages, fewer employees, and higher aging rates compared to the national average. The district’s economy relies heavily on agriculture, the processing industry, and services, with significant potential for tourism development.

Economic and Demographic Challenges

The primary challenge is demographic decline, which negatively impacts rural communities, the economy, and natural resources. The Rustik Living Lab (LL) aims to restructure the economy towards high-value activities and labor-intensive services, focusing on tourism and establishing short food supply chains (SFSC).

The LL seeks to integrate the agricultural sector into tourism, benefiting local communities and small businesses. The current challenge is the low representation of local producers in meeting tourist market demands, leading to product sourcing from other regions. By collecting field data, the LL aims to enable evidence-based decision-making, policy development, and improved supply chain coordination.

Strategy Alignment

This initiative aligns with the “Strategy for the Development of the Urban Area of the City of Zaječar and the Municipalities of Knjaževac, Boljevac, and Sokobanja,” aiming to enhance business infrastructure, promote innovation, and establish value chains. RARIS, a key tourism development actor, will benefit from new data, improving decision-making and policy evaluation.

The region’s agriculture is dominated by small family farms focused on cattle, fruit, and grape production. Traditional sectors like meat and dairy are in decline. Focus groups identified supply chain problems, including insufficient trust among partners and lack of stable business relationships.

Policy Relevance

Addressing SFSC in agricultural policy and tourism development is crucial. As Serbia aligns its policies with the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), integrating SFSC ensures compliance and addresses local challenges. Promoting local gastronomic identity through SFSC can boost economic growth and enhance tourism.

Research Questions

  • What is the market potential for local sourcing in the Zaječar district tourism food supply chain?
  • Which products should be prioritized for local sourcing?
  • How can networking within SFSC enhance local agriculture and tourism integration?
  • What changes are needed to make SFSC more sustainable and competitive?

There is a lack of comprehensive data on food supply chain participants, their capacities, and tourist demand for local food. The LL will review municipal databases and conduct surveys to gather necessary data.

The Zaječar district’s focus on developing SFSC and integrating them with tourism presents a significant opportunity for rural development. By addressing existing challenges and leveraging new data, the Rustik Living Lab aims to create a sustainable local food system that enhances economic growth and tourism.

Navigating Immigration Integration: North Karelia’s Pathway to Sustainable Growth

Nestled in the eastern reaches of Finland, North Karelia emerges as a unique region, standing as the easternmost within the continental EU. Approximately 450 km away from the bustling capital, Helsinki, this expanse boasts a population of 162,540 individuals, with a sparse density of 7.1 inhabitants per km². The distinctive character of North Karelia is underscored by the fact that about 50% of its population resides in rural areas, contributing to its predominantly rural ambiance.

Transition Focus: Socio-economic and Demographic Dynamics

In the spotlight of North Karelia is the imminent socio-economic and demographic transition. This shift gains significance due to the region’s dwindling and aging population, presenting a formidable challenge. In response, the North Karelian Living Lab takes center stage, aligning its efforts to craft innovative strategies, plans, and policies that address the pressing need for managing demographic changes.

Key Challenges and Their Ramifications

The identified challenges in North Karelia are manifold. A declining and aging population, coupled with the shortage of skilled labor, long-term unemployment, immigrant retention, and regional accessibility, paints a complex picture. The concentration of the population in the regional center, Joensuu, poses a threat to essential services like healthcare, transportation, and infrastructure in rural areas. The aging demographic impacts the availability of skilled labor, leading to lower tax revenues and potential strains on public services.

The COVID-19 pandemic has fueled the trend of multilocal working in Finland, making North Karelia an attractive destination for those seeking a blend of remote work and rural living. However, setbacks in regional accessibility, such as reduced regional flights and the closure of the Saimaa Canal Sea connection, pose challenges.

Living Lab Challenge: Immigrant Retention

Against this backdrop, the North Karelian Living Lab identifies immigrant retention as its focal challenge. Recognizing the role of immigration in mitigating population decline, the region aims to enhance strategies that promote settlement and integration, ensuring that immigrants become long-term contributors to the region’s growth.

Research Questions and Rationale

Rationale:

The Regional Council of North Karelia (RCNK), representing 13 municipalities, holds a pivotal role in immigrants’ integration promotion. With Finland undergoing a comprehensive reform of the Integration Act, set to take effect in 2025, the municipalities’ responsibility for integration promotion is heightened. The RUSTIK project aligns with this reform, providing crucial data to support efficient integration services and improve immigrants’ settlement in North Karelia.

Research Questions:
  • What is the current status of immigration and integration promotion in the North Karelian municipalities?
  • How can the introduction of new forms of data into the policy process support targeted integration promotion in the municipalities?

Emerging Data Needs

In the upcoming phase of the North Karelian Living Lab, generating comprehensive, up-to-date data takes center stage. Three key areas of focus include:

  1. Status of Immigration and Integration:
  • Population trends
  • Jobs by sector
  • Immigrant backgrounds
  1. Integration aspects (work, housing, participation, health, and well-being):
  • Integration Promotion Programs:
  • Analysis of current programs
  • Benchmarking with international models
  1. Goal setting and monitoring methods:
  • Immigrant Experiences:
  • Maptionnaire survey on well-being and challenges
  • Narratives on integration and settlement

Data Availability and Limitations

While national quantitative data sources, including Statistics Finland, will be instrumental, a desk study on integration programs and interviews with municipal representatives will complement the research. Challenges may arise in collecting experiential data from immigrants due to language barriers and the need to establish trust. The Maptionnaire survey will be a valuable tool, distributed through stakeholders, including educational institutions, civil society organizations, and employers.

Capacities

The Living Lab partners, equipped with expertise in data analysis, have strong relations with municipalities. While accessing statistical data poses minimal challenges, additional support may be required for setting up the Maptionnaire survey and ensuring its accessibility across various languages spoken by immigrants.

As North Karelia gears up to navigate these transitions, the RUSTIK project emerges as a beacon, shedding light on the intricate dynamics shaping the region’s future. Stay tuned as we embark on this transformative journey!

Troyan-Apriltsi-Ugаrchin, Bulgaria: Navigating the Unknown Potential of Rural Food Systems

 

Nestled in the heart of the Balkans, the Troyan-Apriltsi-Ugаrchin (TAU) region in Bulgaria stands as a pilot for transformative initiatives. Covering Troyan, Apriltsi, and Ugarchin municipalities, this area spans 1,650.2 km² with a population of 33,858. TAU is positioned strategically, just 150 km northeast of Sofia, with a pivotal role in connecting the capital to the Black Sea. 

Transition Focus: Socio-economic and Demographic Shifts

The TAU region faces socio-economic and demographic challenges, with depopulation at its core. The informal economy, job nature, and ethnic segregation contribute to this issue. Despite rich natural resources, the region struggles to capitalize on them for economic and social development.

Living Lab Challenge: Navigating the Unknown Potential of Rural Food Systems 

The primary challenge identified in TAU revolves around understanding the untapped potential of the rural food system to address socio-economic and demographic transitions. Data gaps in the linkages between food production and consumption, as well as the lack of cooperation between local actors, hinder progress. TAU aims to foster rural food systems, bridge gaps between vocational schools and local businesses, and tackle issues like unfair payments and undeclared jobs in the agri-food sector. 

Rationale: Spotlight on Food as a Unifying Force 

Food emerges as a pivotal focus for TAU, transcending differences and offering a lens to examine public and private practices. The lack of policy support in this domain highlights a significant data gap. By concentrating on food systems, the experiment aims to delve into demographic change and social inequalities. 

Policy Relevance: Paving the Way for Rural Food Policy 

TAU lacks a comprehensive rural food policy. The Rustik experiment strives to fill this void by providing knowledge, data, and models for its development. Aligning with regional and local policies, the experiment could address depopulation concerns and promote sustainable economic growth through food-related initiatives. 

Research Questions: Unveiling the Dynamics of Rural Food Systems 

The experiment seeks answers to crucial questions: 

  • How does the rural food system impact local entrepreneurship and depopulation trends? 
  • What role do family gardens play in local economies and socio-economic inequalities? 
  • How do rural food systems interact with urban economies, and which urban economies influence them? 
  • Can the preservation of local food traditions contribute to community resilience and a sense of identity? 
  • What factors make the local food sector attractive to newcomers and tourists, promoting sustainable local economies? 

Emerging Data Needs: Bridging the Knowledge Gap 

The experiment faces a lack of data on various aspects, such as the local population’s access to fresh, seasonal, and local food, cooperation between vocational schools and local agri-food businesses, and the role of family gardens in sustaining local food traditions. To address this, new and existing sources are being explored to create a comprehensive rural food map. 

Data Availability: Sources to Fuel the Experiment 

The experiment relies on a mix of available data sources, including registers of farmers, food processing enterprises, social kitchens, and more. However, limitations arise due to the non-public nature of certain datasets, hindering a granular analysis. 

Challenges and Capacities: Navigating the Road Ahead 

Challenges include limited access to crucial datasets and the absence of registers, such as that of family gardens. However, partners involved possess the necessary competencies to overcome these challenges, with additional capacity available if required. 

As the Rustik experiment unfolds in TAU, it promises not only to uncover the potential of rural food systems but also to pave the way for informed policies that can foster sustainable development, address depopulation concerns, and contribute to the region’s resilience and identity. Stay tuned for updates as TAU embarks on this transformative journey.