What is a “Hub” in SIRR? New Publication Explores Hub Typologies and Practices
What do we actually mean when we talk about “hubs” in the SIRR project? In a new publication, Dr. Alistair Adam Hernández, University of Vechta and SIRR Knowledge Partner, takes a closer look at the different types of hubs across the partnership and explains why the concept matters for rural and coastal development. Drawing on experiences from SIRR hubs in Denmark, Sweden and France, the article shows how hubs can be organisations, networks, physical places, or all of these at once.
The publication introduces a practical typology of hubs, from sprouting and rooting to thriving, and explores how origin stories, governance models, funding structures, and local contexts shape what hubs can achieve. It also reflects on common challenges such as funding fragility, people-dependence and expectation mismatches, and points to concrete ways hubs can strengthen resilience and long-term impact.
The article is intended as a learning resource for practitioners, policymakers and anyone working with collaborative hubs as tools for local development.