News | 06 Apr 2026

Inspiring initiatives on place-based innovation in our Good Practice Brochure

Discover six good practices that demonstrate how place-based innovation can boost resilience, competitiveness and social cohesion in rural areas in the first edition of the Rural Pact Good Practice Brochure.

Image: ©NGO ‘Pērses krasts’ (Strengthening community identity and rural attractiveness through digital heritage and youth engagement in Koknese, Latvia)

Image: ©NGO ‘Pērses krasts’ (Strengthening community identity and rural attractiveness through digital heritage and youth engagement in Koknese, Latvia)

The publication explores the role of place-based innovation in tackling economic, social and environmental challenges in rural areas. It highlights how integrated, multi-level and community-driven solutions can leverage local strengths to drive long-term rural development, strengthening local innovation systems, economic diversification and resilience.  

Discover the six featured good practices focused on: 

  • Connecting rural entrepreneurs to the wider innovation ecosystem (Skåne, Sweden); 

  • Strengthening regional innovation systems through multi-actor and multi-level cooperation (Austria); 

  • Supporting rural entrepreneurship and ecological transition through an innovation lab for forest-based bioeconomy (Cuenca, Spain); 

  • Providing training and start-up grants to support the creation of rural social enterprises (Romania); 

  • Boosting sustainable food supply through short supply chains, circular economy pilots and low-emission logistics (Slovenia); 

  • Fostering community identity and rural attractiveness through digital heritage and youth engagement (Latvia).  

Find a wealth of Rural Pact knowledge and resources on the topic of innovation. Browse through our good practice database to discover more inspiring examples.