On behalf of the ESIRA Open link in new window(Enhancing Social Innovation in Rural Areas) team, I am pleased to invite you to attend and participate in the upcoming ESIRA policy event. Below are the event details along with a preliminary agenda. The final agenda will be shared in the coming weeks. We look forward to your participation and valuable contributions!

Date: 29 April 2025 

Time: 10:00 - 12:30 CET 

Location: Online (Microsoft Teams) 

REGISTER HEREOpen link in new window 

Rural communities across the European Union face a self-reinforcing cycle of decline. The lack of jobs and reduced access to essential services (such as healthcare and education) drive outmigration, particularly among young people. This, in turn, weakens local businesses and services and accelerates population ageing, ultimately affecting the long-term sustainability of rural areas. 

The social economy offers an alternative model for rural development, one that fosters local empowerment by involving communities in the production of solutions to local challenges. The social economy promotes job creation, the development of tailored community services, sustainable economic activities and social cohesion, all of which contribute to revitalising rural areas and enhancing the well-being of their communities. 

Insights from the Horizon Europe ESIRA project  will provide evidence-based perspectives on the challenges and opportunities in rural areas. These insights will serve as the foundation for a policy debate with experts from the EU institutions, aiming to identify actionable strategies and pathways to foster more inclusive, prosperous and resilient rural communities. 

Please note that the agenda below is subject to change. The final agenda will be published in the coming weeks: 

10:00-10:15 | Welcome and introduction to ESIRA (Enhancing Social Innovation in Rural Areas) 

10:15-10:30 | Understanding rural vulnerabilities 
Presented by HÉTFA Research Institute. This session will provide an overview of the main challenges and vulnerabilities faced by rural communities in the EU. It will also explore how territorial and social vulnerabilities interact, creating a self-reinforcing cycle of decline. 

10:30-10:50 | Social economy success stories from rural communities 

Presented by EURICSE (European Research Institute on Cooperative and Social Enterprises). This presentation will highlight the added value of the social economy in rural areas and share inspiring examples of good practices from different EU regions. 

10:50-11:05 | Policy gaps and challenges that hinder social economy initiatives in rural areas 

Presented by REVES (European Network of Cities and Regions for the Social Economy). This session will provide an overview of the key policy barriers and challenges faced when implementing social economy initiatives in rural areas. 

11:05-11:15 | Q&A 

11:15-11:30 | Coffee break 

11:30-12:15 | Policy Panel: The future of social economy in territorial development policies 

Moderated by Euromontana. The high-level policy panel will bring together key representatives from EU institutions. It will focus on how EU policies can better support social economy initiatives in rural areas and identify actionable strategies and pathways to promote more inclusive, prosperous, and resilient rural areas. 

12:15-12:25 | Q&A 

12:25-12:30 | Closing remarks