PARI - Paths for rural innovation
Implementing Clusters for Social and Ecological innovation to improve quality of life in rural areas
About
The PARI project operates within the framework of the European Commission’s SMP – COSME Programme to establish clusters of social and ecological innovation (CSEIs) in rural areas. These clusters aim to address critical socio-economic and environmental challenges by fostering innovation and cooperation among various stakeholders, including social economy actors, local authorities, businesses, and civil society organisations. The project is particularly relevant as rural areas increasingly emerge as vital spaces for sustainable development, offering not only food production and leisure but also opportunities for ecological experimentation, biodiversity enhancement, and a high quality of life.
However, rural regions often struggle to realise their full potential due to challenges like insufficient infrastructure, demographic decline, and limited access to knowledge and capacity-building. In response, the PARI project focuses on identifying and strengthening CSEIs to unlock the potential of these territories. Successful initiatives, such as local food networks, energy communities, and rural social enterprises, have already shown that rural areas can be revitalised through cooperation and innovation.
At the core of the PARI project is the creation of clusters for social and ecological innovation (CSEIs), that is multi-sectoral clusters that integrate social, environmental, and economic resources to foster sustainable local development. These clusters operate as flexible, context-specific models, leveraging the strengths of various local actors. By enhancing collaboration between public authorities, social economy entities, and private enterprises, CSEIs aim to provide comprehensive responses to the diverse challenges rural areas face.
CSEIs play a crucial role in rural revitalisation by promoting social inclusion, environmental sustainability, and economic resilience. Through collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and resource pooling, these clusters contribute to creating more self-sufficient, digitally connected, and environmentally friendly rural communities. The PARI project aims to accelerate this process by developing methodologies to identify and mobilise local resources, engage communities, and establish governance models tailored to the unique needs of rural areas.
The project has been implemented in three rural territories: Torres Vedras (Portugal), Navarra (Spain), and Östergötland (Sweden), each of which has developed local action plans to nurture and sustain CSEIs. By addressing common challenges such as the lack of collaborative dynamics and the need for digital inclusion, the project has sought to promote a sustainable and resilient future for rural areas across the European Union.
Local experiences
Ceinture Alimentaire Charleroi Métropole (CACM)
⚲ Charleroi (Belgium)
A Territorial Cluster for Sustainable and Solidarity-Based Food Systems
Cluster for Social and Ecological Innovation (CSEI)
⚲ Torres Vedras (Portugal)
A shared vision of rural development grounded in social inclusion, ecological sustainability, and participatory governance.
Mutual learning
Good practices and lessons learned about CSEIs in rural areas
Recommendations on how to strengthen the enabling factors conducive to CSEIs in rural areas
Who are we?
The PARI project is supported by a strong consortium of partners, each bringing unique expertise to ensure the effective development and implementation of CSEIs in rural areas.
REVES aisbl (European Network of Cities and Regions for the Social Economy)
As the project coordinator, REVES represents a partnership between local/regional authorities and social economy organisations across 14 EU member states. With extensive experience in peer-learning, rural development, and the social economy, REVES leads the project by facilitating cooperation and policy development that supports sustainable and fair local development strategies. REVES has been actively involved in transnational projects and European-level social economy initiatives.
Torres Vedras Municipality (Portugal)
This predominantly rural region has been fostering social economy organisations through its long-standing Social Network Programme, which involves over 110 public and private organisations. Their experience in coordinating social economy efforts and addressing local social challenges brings valuable insights into fostering social cohesion and innovation at the local level.
Region Östergötland (Sweden)
As a regional public authority responsible for healthcare and regional development, Östergötland is focused on strengthening local innovation and entrepreneurship. Their involvement in smart specialisation strategies and social entrepreneurship initiatives supports the project’s goals of integrating social innovation with regional development, particularly in rural and marginalised areas.
Coompanion Östergötland (Sweden)
Coompanion is the home of cooperative entrepreneurship in Sweden, a place where ideas turn into meaningful ventures that create real value for people and communities.
At its heart, Coompanion believes in the power of collaboration. Instead of building businesses on competition, it helps people build them on trust, equality, and shared ownership. Whether it is about starting a social enterprise, a local cooperative, or a bold new initiative, Coompanion offers empowering guidance, tools and networks.
By broadening the view of innovation and entrepreneurship, creating a diversity of businesses and fostering an inclusive society, the organisation contributes to Östergötland County’s development strategy.
Government of Navarre (Spain)
Navarre’s commitment to the social economy is underscored by public policies that promote cooperative creation, capacity building, and social enterprise collaboration. With the recent establishment of a General Directorate for Social Economy, Navarre offers critical expertise in policy integration and governance structures to elevate the role of social economy enterprises in rural revitalisation.
ANEL (Spain)
A business association representing over 200 social economy companies in Navarre, ANEL brings practical experience in fostering worker-owned cooperatives and social enterprises. Their contribution is crucial for understanding the business dynamics of social economy actors and ensuring the economic viability of CSEIs in the project.
Diesis Network
As one of the largest networks supporting social economy, social entrepreneurship, and social innovation in Europe, Diesis offers access to over 90,000 organisations. Through its expertise in peer learning, capacity building, and cross-country exchanges, Diesis plays a key role in fostering knowledge sharing and scaling up successful models across Europe. Diesis also co-coordinates the Social Economy Community Group under the European Rural Revitalisation Platform alongside REVES.
Each partner’s expertise has been pivotal in addressing the project’s goals of fostering collaboration, promoting social and environmental innovation, and advancing sustainable development in rural areas across Europe. Together, the consortium has developed a comprehensive strategy to create and strengthen CSEIs, providing the tools, governance models, and collaborative frameworks necessary to support resilient rural communities.
Funded by the European Union. The views, information, documentation, figures and opinions expressed in this document are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or EISMEA. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
PARI – Project ID: 1011698037