SIRR Summer Update

The Compass – Our North Star in the SIRR Project. Co-created with all project partners at the very beginning, this compass continues to guide us as we navigate and drive transformation toward our shared vision. Now, halfway through the project, it’s a good time to pause and reflect. Why are we doing this?

One recurring theme in our early conversations was balance - a balance where a sustainable future is not centred solely around urban areas, but where urban, rural, and coastal regions grow together. No place or community should be left behind in shaping a resilient and sustainable future—a fair future. And just as importantly, no individual should be left behind either. It’s about connection, collaboration, and co-creation. To meet the challenges ahead, we must build bridges across sectors and regions. It’s a collective effort. And that’s what SIRR is all about: working together to make rural and coastal areas more attractive and resilient, ensuring that no region is left behind.

Local community resilience is key to the long-term sustainability and vitality of rural and coastal areas, especially as urbanisation continues to draw younger generations to larger cities. Building resilience means empowering local businesses, organisations and individuals to adapt, thrive, and create opportunities within their own regions. Through initiatives like the SIRR project and its Multi Helix model, we foster collaboration and build stronger networks between local authorities, knowledge institutions, and local actors.

Now at the midpoint of the SIRR project, the Pilot Hubs have truly begun their development journeys. They’ve focused on establishing their foundations, clarifying and reflecting their goals, identifying strengths and challenges, and exploring opportunities for growth. Stakeholder mapping and strategic planning have laid the groundwork for these Hubs to evolve into long-lasting platforms that support sustainable development.

Throughout this process, academia and support partners have played a vital role—tracking progress, contributing research, and offering guidance. Their insights continue to strengthen the project’s overall impact.

During spring 2025, we’ve made significant progress in collaboration and knowledge exchange. We’ve taken major steps at the hub level and deepened our understanding of hub transformation and stakeholder engagement. We’ve seen inspiring developments in our Pilot Hubs, tested new concepts, gained valuable insights from workshops, and strengthened our networks. SIRR is more than routine operations—it creates space for reflection, innovation, and collaboration. It invites input from the entire workforce and external Multi Helix stakeholders, enabling us to co-create sustainable and meaningful solutions. By exploring shared challenges from different perspectives, we discover new ways of thinking and acting.

This spring marked a period of significant progress in collaboration and knowledge exchange. At the hub level, we’ve taken steps forward and deepened our understanding of transformation and stakeholder engagement. We’ve seen inspiring developments across our Pilot Hubs—testing new concepts, gaining valuable insights through workshops, and expanding our networks. 

SIRR is more than just day-to-day operations; it’s a space for reflection, innovation, and co-creation. It invites contributions from the entire workforce and from external Multi Helix stakeholders, enabling us to shape sustainable and meaningful solutions together. By exploring shared challenges from multiple perspectives, we unlock new ways of thinking—and acting.
 

I’m excited to continue this important journey with all of you. But first—enjoy a well-deserved summer break!

All best,

Emma