The Social Innovation in Marginalised Rural Areas (SIMRA) project, funded by the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme, operated from 2016 to 2020. Its main objective was to deepen our understanding of social innovation and innovative governance within agriculture, forestry, and rural development sectors, with a particular focus on Europe's marginalised rural areas as these often lack evidence of successful outcomes and necessary supporting conditions. Read on for an overview of the project, its achievements, and how MARGISTAR will use its findings to uncover further transformation pathways for European marginalised mountain regions.
By Klaus Wagner, Ingrid Machold, and Somaye Latifi (Federal Institute of Agricultural Economics, Rural and Mountain Research (BAB), Vienna)
The number of challenges that mountains...
Mountain areas attract outstanding numbers of tourists. After beaches and islands, they act as the second most demanded outdoor destination for tourism activities. Where agriculture has long been the main source of income and entire areas are characterised by outmigration, tourism has sustainably improved and transformed the working and living conditions of local populations. Based on work being done in Austria, this blog shares insights into how promoting tourism activities in so-called Mountaineering Villages as a means of income diversification beyond traditional sectors can pose as an effective solution in marginalised mountain areas.
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.
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.
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.
On October 17-18, Brussels hosted the COST Connect event, “Agriculture and Its Products.” This gathering brought together policymakers, stakeholders, and more than 40 researchers from 20 COST Actions to discuss agricultural research and policies. Prof. António Manuel Teixeira Monteiro from the University of Lisbon, Dr. Irene Christoforidi from the Hellenic Mediterranean University and Dr. Somaye Latifi from the Federal Institute of Agricultural Economics, Rural and Mountain Research (BAB) represented MARGISTAR at the event.
MARGISTAR is launching its second Short-Term Scientific Mission call for mobilities occurring between January 25th, 2025 until May 31st, 2025. All applications must be made before the deadline on January 6th, 2025, and all activities must occur before May 31st, 2025.
MARGISTAR is launching its third call for Dissemination Conference Grants for mobilities occurring between January 25th, 2025 until May 31st, 2025. All applications must be made before the deadline on January 6th, 2025, and all activities must occur before May 31st, 2025.
MARGISTAR is launching its third call for for Inclusiveness Target Countries (ITC) Conference Grants for mobilities occurring between January 25th, 2025 until May 31st, 2025. All applications must be made before the deadline on January 6th, 2025, and all activities must occur before May 31st, 2025.
MARGISTAR is launching its first call for Virtual Mobility Grants for mobilities occurring between January 25th, 2025 until May 31st, 2025. All applications must be made before the deadline on January 6th, 2025, and all activities must occur before May 31st, 2025.