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Innovations in the countryside: opportunities and challenges for rural areas
Find out how social innovations in Ludwigslust-Parchim promote rural development and overcome local challenges.
Innovations in the countryside: opportunities and challenges for rural areas
In rural regions like the Rhineland, everything is happening. Recently there was an exciting meeting of innovators who presented their ideas on social innovations in these areas. Loud MDR Thematic openness in promoting innovation means that the exact topics are not specified. This enables local people to contribute their knowledge and deepen their own topics.
Funding in rural innovation processes often takes place in low-threshold formats such as exchange and networking - an approach that is particularly popular in today's fast-moving times. Ralph Richter, a renowned researcher at the IRS, emphasizes that it is essential to offer rural actors more leeway. After all, they know best what their region really needs.
Creativity in rural development
However, the challenges should not be underestimated. It is often feared that rural development will again be subordinated to the old interests of agriculture, which would mean a regression for the entire area. This is particularly notable when we consider the lack of sufficient cultural and work structures in sparsely populated regions, as stated in the report SIGU emerges.
These spaces are heterogeneous and offer a variety of economic, social and cultural conditions. Therefore, there is not one rural area, but rather many different facets that must be considered in their diversity. Social innovations can often create new community spirit and are of central importance in overcoming social challenges.
Rural regions are often assumed to be remote from innovation. But the picture is deceptive! Experts criticize the traditional indicators for measuring innovative ability because they often only take market-based living environments into account. Rural regions are places for creativity and the courage to try out new forms of society.
Role of the community and key people
Social innovations in these areas are often a mix of proven and new approaches to meet local needs. The pressure to innovate is growing, particularly due to demographic changes and the withdrawal behavior of the welfare state. The so-called third places - such as cafés and libraries - are essential because they offer space for ideas and experiments that are crucial for the community's ability to innovate.
Responsibility often lies in the hands of civil society actors who step in where the state and business often reach their limits. Space pioneers and changemakers work to develop new forms of living together and to use the resources of their surroundings creatively.
Ultimately, the ability to develop and implement social innovations is the key to the future viability of rural regions. How could the interaction – supported by local networks of actors – sustainably change our homeland? These questions are in the room and invite discussion.