The European project INSPIRE, a significant initiative aimed at empowering rural communities across Europe, has completed its first months of implementation with positive outcomes. The project’s second official partner meeting took place on April 9–10, 2025, in Lublin, Poland.
During the meeting, the project’s progress over the first six months was presented, with emphasis on initial findings and the next steps. The MedINA team participated actively, contributing to the dialogue on the vision and prospects for social well-being in Europe’s rural areas.
In its initial “investigation” phase, INSPIRE has already achieved key milestones focused on supporting rural communities in addressing critical challenges related to social exclusion, such as limited access to services, education, healthcare and employment. Central to the presentations and discussions were the large-scale mapping of social services in rural Europe, the conceptual framework of social inclusion dimensions, and the field research in the project’s pilot areas.
We visited the areas of Parczew and Hołowno, which will host the upcoming Polish Smart Village Lab. There, we had the opportunity to engage with local stakeholders and community organisations, gaining direct insight into local challenges, needs, and opportunities.
Rural depopulation remains a critical and complex issue across Europe, linked to the abandonment of both rural areas and agricultural land. Addressing this issue requires a systematic and participatory approach grounded in co-creation and collective action, aiming to develop solutions that reflect the real needs of local communities. In this context, early lessons from related European projects such as ESIRA and SERIGO, which promote engagement and social innovation in rural areas, were also shared.
As one of the project’s pilot partners, MedINA has already conducted substantial research in the communities of Konitsa and Kythera. This research identifies the needs, patterns, drivers, and barriers related to social inclusion and well-being of these two areas. The findings will serve as the foundation for creating Smart Village Labs and designing policies aimed at reducing social exclusion and enhancing the well-being of rural residents, especially that of vulnerable groups, through innovation and the social and solidarity economy.
In parallel, the new INSPIRE website has been launched, serving as a central hub for information and dissemination of the project’s activities and results. Visitors can learn about the 18 participating organizations, the 7 pilot areas, and access news, events, and project updates.
INSPIRE supports social inclusion, well-being, and rural development through Smart Village Labs, which aim to establish more inclusive governance frameworks. INSPIRE is funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are, however, those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or European Research Executive Agency. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
