On the 16th of December we took part in the Interreg NSR Roundtable. We shared our work with Storytelling with other Interreg NSR projects and got inspired by other project examples. Here is a part of the things being shared:
Storytelling as a tool to drive transformation for local cohesion and innovative inclusiveness
In SIRR, we began by testing storytelling as a basic tool and quickly saw its impact and positive reception among the Pilot Hubs. Building on this, we developed storytelling further and integrated it strategically into the project with a clear purpose: driving change.
Our approach goes beyond sharing local stories — we use storytelling as an engagement tool, helping Hubs recognize the power of narrative to connect communities, reflect challenges, and uncover shared solutions.
Engagement
- Storytelling to engage: sharing real stories from rural communities and the people driving local innovation.
Collaboration as a tool for collaboration
- Multi-helix narratives: showing how authorities, SMEs, citizens, and academia collaborate.
Ownership
- Hubs document their own cases and turning experiences into transferable knowledge.
- Take control of the narrative- understanding the past, creating to day to form the future.
Identity and identification
- Using stories to help rural communities “see themselves” in the solutions and strengthening local pride.
A key achievement of the SIRR project, is the establishment of a strong foundation for transnational collaboration across rural and coastal regions in Europe. Given the comprehensive scope of the project, this has required crossing borders both culturally and physically.
Three examples of Storymaking:
- Community Dialouge Place Branding, Lysekil Hub, Sweden
- Complementary Perspectives Urban Planning, Saint-Omer, France
- Identification Local Cohesion, Sotenäs Hub, Sweden
We need to communicate in a clear and accessible way, so that recipients understand the value of the engagemnt and are inspired to level up engagement and take action, in order to strengthening local cohesion. Campfire power!