IN SITU report analyses CCIs within European innovation policies for non-urban areas

IN SITU report analyses CCIs within European innovation policies for non-urban areas

Most technological innovations are produced in an urban setting, but rural or non-urban areas are very often fertile ground for other types of innovation, such as organizational, social or institutional ones. The report, State of Policies and S3s on Innovation and CCIs in Non-urban Areas, produced within the IN SITU project, examined the extent to which cultural and creative work has been supported through the main policies in the EU innovation framework for non-urban areas: the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), Cohesion Policies, and Smart Specialization Strategies (S3).

This report was developed by the IN SITU research team of the National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food and Environment (INRAE).

This research assesses the results for LEADER projects and S3 projects, and the support for cultural and heritage activities within these programmes. The analysis of S3 and LEADER projects confirmed the emphasis placed on themes such as social innovation, local knowledge and the networking of local and external players. Both programmes aim to support and strengthen local communities. Although CCIs are insufficiently supported, they nevertheless receive attention (and are an explicit category of activities in S3). However, public policies more readily support technological innovations, or agricultural activities that can be linked either to tourism or to the enhancement of heritage.

The key results of the research are:

1. Innovation in non-urban areas is above all social, cultural, institutional, and the innovations that appear in these territories come largely from actions undertaken by local actors or groups.
2. The analysis of EU innovation policies for non-urban areas show that, when these policies consider innovation, it is mostly about technological innovation.
3. However, many actions go beyond technological innovation or agriculture alone, and are clearly aimed at the development of innovation activities in rural areas.
4. The review of projects confirms that social and cultural innovation are more important than technological innovation in non-urban areas.
5. Taking all dimensions of innovation into account remains a challenge.
6. Supporting CCIs remains a source of progress for public policy towards non-urban areas.

Research on innovation in non-urban areas shows that it is above all social, cultural, institutional, and that the innovations that appear in these territories come largely from actions undertaken by local actors or groups. The innovation policies come together around the topic of community action.

The full report is available for downloading here.