"I have great faith in local initiatives, coming from grassroots. It will be exciting to contribute to establishing actual pilots and researching them. Social geographer Aleksander Bern from Eastern Norway Research Institute (ENRI) at Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences knows what he will be working on for the next four years. The project is called ESIRA. This fall, Bern and colleagues received 7 million Norwegian kroner from Horizon Europe.
What is ESIRA?
ESIRA is an abbreviation for 'Enhancing Social Inclusion in Rural Areas'. The project focuses on people in vulnerable situations and the third sector economy, which includes social purposes, community engagement, and charity. ESIRA aims to support innovation and fundamental community building in rural areas throughout Europe.
"Specifically, we will actively assist local innovation groups working to improve the inclusion of people with disabilities," says Bern. Along with Inland County, the other Norwegian partner in ESIRA, the project group will select a region in Innlandet where five pilots will be launched.
The pilots will be closely monitored, and researchers will also study whether existing systems and services are sufficient to provide innovation to rural communities.
Partners in eight countries
ESIRA unites a diverse consortium consisting of 15 partners from 8 countries, including Spain, Hungary, France, Serbia, Poland, Lithuania, Italy, and Norway. These partners include universities, research institutes, networks, and local organizations responsible for project implementation. The project has a total budget of 4.5 million euros (52 million kroner).
Horizon Europe is important
Horizon Europe is the EU's main funding program for research and innovation, and the competition is quite fierce. EU projects are important for both local communities, municipalities, and organizations, as well as research institutions. Institute Director at ENRI, Tonje Lauritzen, elaborates: "For many years, we have worked on projects addressing the complex societal challenges faced by rural municipalities and organizations. Through this, we have built an international network based on rural areas in Europe, where our university is represented as an interesting international partner.
The main project leader in ESIRA is the University of Burgos, Spain. In addition to Aleksander Bern, the project team at INN includes:
- Nora Warhuus Samuelsen, ENRI
- Line Tholstrup, ENRI
- Lisa Knatterud, ENRI
- Jim Broch Skarli, ENRI
- Roald Undlien, Section for Child Welfare, Social Work, and Social Pedagogy, Faculty of Health and Social Sciences
- Windy Kester Moe (communication)