Country Focus

Céad Míle Fáilte: MARGISTAR Meets in Ireland for the COST Action’s Second General Assembly 

On April 17 and 18, the Irish Institute of Digital Business (IIDB) at Dublin City University (DCU) welcomed international researchers from the MARGISTAR COST Action to the project's second annual General Assembly in Dublin. Prof Theo Lynn, Prof Colm O'Gorman, and Antonia Egli represent Ireland within the MARGISTAR consortium and lead the Action's Science Communications team. Over two days, consortium members focused on strategies to further progress MARGISTAR during the second grant period and met with stakeholders in Ireland to understand how different communities were seeking to address issues through rural town regeneration, digitisation, re-afforestation, or diversifying agriculture.  

Revitalising Marginalised Mountain Areas through Green Care 

Given the many potentials and challenges of mountainous areas, diversifying sources of income through Green Care can present sustainable opportunities for marginalised mountain communities. In Austria, expanding product portfolios in the agricultural and forestry sectors is a viable strategy of agricultural and forestry enterprises and smallholders to ensure economic sustainability.

A Deep Dive into Supporting Resilience of Mountain Farming in Austria

Mountain areas form a significant part of Austria, covering 70% of its territory and hosting 56% of all its farms. Austrian mountains, however, are also often classified as disadvantaged regions due to topographical and climatic factors. Farming in these high-elevation areas presents challenges, but also yields quality products vital for sustaining local cultures. In the face of economic challenges, policy support and off-farm activities have significantly improved living conditions for mountain farm households. Read on to better understand how policy-making can positively impact mountain farming and its role in sustaining cultural landscapes and providing employment in Austria's mountainous regions.

Celebrating Digital Innovation: The .ie Digital Town Awards

From revitalising town centres to propelling sustainability initiatives, digital technology serves as a catalyst for positive change. In support of these developments, the .ie Digital Town Awards in Ireland honour the strides made by communities across the country in embracing digital innovation. With significant investment and political support, these awards highlight the transformative power of digital in diverse spheres of life, starting from their potential to enhance connectivity to their role in revolutionising agricultural practices. As we celebrate the achievements of digital pioneers in Ireland with “.ie” - the country’s official registry of .ie domain names – we are reminded that innovation knows no bounds and inspires communities to embrace the possibilities of the digital age. 

An Introduction to Risovac, a Marginalised Location in the Heart of Grmeč

Risovac is a remote village that was named for its abundance of wild cats, locally known as ‘ris.’ It is a hidden place in Bosnia and Herzegovina, its natural beauty preserved at the far northwestern end of Petrovačko Polje in the Grmeč mountains and a ways off the bumpy road from Bosanski Petrovac to Bosanska Krupa. Join MARGISTAR’s Dr Violeta Santrač as she begins her fieldwork and recently launched project to better understand this small, remote, and marginalised village.

Dobrodošli! Welcome to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Land of Mountains and Forests

Join MARGISTAR’s Dr Bruno Marić in exploring the forests and mountainous regions of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the valuable insights into geological formations and biodiversity these landscapes offer. From the intricate network of valleys to the country’s diverse forests, read on to find out how Bosnia and Herzegovina's terrains serve as a natural laboratory for scientific exploration.

Empowering Change: How Women-Led Social Innovations Are Advancing Gender Equality in Rural Areas

By Cristina Dalla Torre In many rural communities across the globe, gender equality remains a distant goal. Women often face structural barriers - social, economic, political, and cultural - that...

Reimagining the Future of Reindeer Herding in Finland: A Wild Logic Approach to Land Use

By Simo Sarkki Reindeer herding is more than a livelihood in Finland. It is a cultural cornerstone, particularly for...

Voices from the Edge: Shaping Rural Futures in FP10

By Theo Lynn, Irene Christoforidi, and Andrej Ficko In October 2024, Antonio Monteiro (University of Lisbon, Portugal), Somaye Latifi...

Pela’s Transformation: Turning Environmental Crisis into Economic Hope

By Josia Paska Darmawan (Senior Researcher at GoTo Impact Lab) “We used to be able to catch many fish...

Socio-Ecosystems of Community-Led Initiatives for Post-Growth: The Case of Epirus, Greece

By Katerina-Shelagh Boucoyannis, University of Padova, MSc Climate Change and Diversity: Sustainable Territorial Development The Fortune of Epirus "Fortunate are...