SIRR Midterm Report
All onboard in rural societies for a fair future!
At the midpoint of the SIRR project, we are proud to present our Midterm Report - a comprehensive overview of our shared journey so far. The report brings together insights from all partners and Pilot Hubs across Sweden, Denmark, Germany, and France, highlighting the development, challenges, and collective achievements within the project.
Through close collaboration and continuous exchange, SIRR’s Pilot Hubs are shaping new paths for sustainable, resilient, and innovative rural and coastal communities.
A Shared Mission
SIRR was founded on the belief that vibrant rural and coastal areas are essential for a fair and sustainable future. As urbanisation continues to draw young people toward larger cities, smaller communities must be supported to stay strong and attractive.
Our mission is to strengthen resilience by empowering local businesses, organisations, and individuals to adapt, thrive, and create opportunities within their own regions. Through collaboration between municipalities, academia, local businesses, and civil society, SIRR promotes local innovation and builds networks rooted in real community needs.
Photo: Adam Bindslev
Our Approach
The project develops ten Pilot Hubs, each supported by knowledge partners and researchers. Together, they test, analyse, and co-create solutions across three main areas:
- WP1: Hub development and modelling towards deeper Multi-Helix collaboration
- WP2: Stakeholder engagement and exchange of best practices
- WP3: Research and support
The work aims to establish action plans, long-term strategies, and regional connections that strengthen the role of the Hubs in their local innovation ecosystems.
We’re not just imagining a fairer future for rural communities — we’re building it, step by step. This report highlights the milestones we have reached, shares insights and learnings from our project partners, and shows the positive impact we’re creating together.
The Multi-Helix Model
At the heart of SIRR lies the Multi-Helix approach - a way of working that connects diverse stakeholders to tackle shared challenges. Each Hub brings together municipalities, knowledge institutions, local businesses, and citizens to co-create sustainable solutions.
This approach allows for flexibility, creativity, and inclusiveness, ensuring that no single voice dominates and that social value is created throughout the process. While engaging civil society can be complex, it remains essential to achieving lasting change.
SIRR partnership in front of the hub in Louvigné-du-Désert, Arobase
Collective Progress
Though the long-term effects of SIRR will unfold over the next 10–20 years, our Pilot Hubs are already demonstrating meaningful progress. They have developed strategies, mapped local resources, strengthened cooperation, and facilitated new partnerships.
Recent joint activities include strategy workshops, storymaking sessions, stakeholder mapping, and youth engagement initiatives - all helping to build strong, adaptive, and forward-looking communities.
SIRR continues to foster collaboration and learning across borders, ensuring that the knowledge we create today becomes the foundation for tomorrow’s sustainable rural societies!
