Lead partner of the project is the University of Eastern Finland. The participating project partners, that are located in 11 European countries are: Bundesanstalt für Agrarwirtschaft und Bergbauernfragen, Wageningen University, Universidad de Vigo, Accademia Europea die Bolzano, FH Kärnten (CUAS), National University of Ireland Galway, Tallin University, Zentrum für Soziale Innovation GmbH, Eskisehir Osmangazi Universitesi, Univerzita Komenskeho Bratislave and Association Europeenne pour L’Innovation dans le Developpement Local.
REASEARCH FOCUS
The research focus of the SERIGO project is on strengthening social inclusion. Europe's rural areas are facing a variety of challenges caused by global changes and crises. These include social, demographic, economic and environmental pressures. To cope with these pressures, renewal through social innovation is needed. This should strengthen the resilience of these areas and minimise the negative impact on their socio-economic and environmental sustainability. SERIGO produces evidence-based theoretical and practicable knowledge on how the Social and Solidarity Economy (SSE) can support resilience, social inclusion, and ‘good life’ in European rural areas. Based on the research results produced, the aim is also to provide insights and recommendations on what framework conditions and policy arrangements are necessary to promote this, as well as to trigger constructive debates and collaborations around this issue involving diverse set of stakeholders in Europe.
The SERIGO consortium met in Vienna to initiate the first steps of task implementation and to discuss theoretical assumptions relevant to the project. In addition, a one-day excursion took place to gain insights into practical examples of social innovation and aimed at fostering inclusion and rural resilience.
After a comprehensive introduction to the Horizon Europe Research and Innovation program, the individual work packages were discussed in detail. The key objectives of the SERIGO project were addressed in order to obtain an overall picture of the combination of scientific research and practical work with the pilot partners.
On Day 2, work package 4 was presented (Pilot Actions), in which the Carinthia University of Applied Sciences under the coordination of Dr. Marika Gruber optains the lead function.
We are pleased to announce that the Carinthia University of Applied Sciences is also working together with our ATHENA partner Universidade de Vigo as part of the SERIGO project. In Vienna, project members of the Carinthia University of Applied Sciences (Marika Gruber, Birgit Aigner-Walder and Selina Straßer) met with the Uni Vigo members Mario Pansera and Pandey Poonam.
