Empowering Rural Communities on Rural Pact Implementation: A Human–Ecological Perspective on Social Innovation and Rural Young Entrepreneurship ^†

Abstract

This study aligns with the Rural Pact’s Long-Term Vision for European Rural Areas by encouraging multi-level collaboration and stakeholder engagement to address rural needs. Using a Human Ecology perspective, it challenges rural stereotypes, promotes spatial justice and aims to reduce rural–urban disparities by fostering social innovation and youth entrepreneurship in rural areas. A thematic analysis of semi-structured interviews identified six key dimensions and their sub-dimensions within a transformative social–ecological model. The notable sub-dimensions include “Local Experimentation and Creativity” in Civil Society, “Higher Education Institutions and Lifelong Learning” in Knowledge and Skills, “Formal Institutional Monitoring at the National Level” in a Political and Institutional Context, and “Profiles—Young Age and Gender” in Entrepreneurship.

1. Introduction

The European Union Rural Pact aims to amplify rural voices, elevate them on the political agenda, foster networking and mutual learning, and support voluntary commitments to advance the Long-Term Vision for European Rural Areas. This paper presents the preliminary results from ongoing doctoral research on Human Ecology, which frames itself as an “operational post-normal science” [1] (p. 13) to create a social–ecological model to evaluate and operationalize social innovation’s role in boosting rural young entrepreneurship in disadvantaged areas. It emphasizes the new legal figure of the “Rural Young Entrepreneur” (Decree-Law n° 9/2019) and shares the vision of the recent OECD report “Assessing the Framework Conditions for Social Innovation in Rural Areas”, which underscores the need for innovative approaches to address rural challenges [2]. Social innovation, a complex term with over 200 definitions, generally includes five elements: social needs, innovative solutions, implementation, improvements, and collaborations [3]. We use the European definition of social innovation employed by the Social Innovation in Marginalised Rural Areas (SIMRAs) project, which involves “reconfiguring social practices in response to societal challenges, enhancing societal well-being with civil society engagement” along with that of [4], which considers social and political capacities for citizen-led innovation. The key criteria for rural innovation investigated in this study include knowledge exchange, place-based policies, and stakeholder influence, addressing the question: how can the relevance of social innovation be assessed and applied to rural development, specifically to support young entrepreneurs in disadvantaged areas? The role of the “Rural Young Entrepreneur” in this context is further analyzed. Building on Nordberg’s [5] perspective on social innovation and spatial justice, this study views the “capabilities of places” as assets, advocating for opportunities unique to each territory beyond equal resource distribution. Recognizing the diversity within rural areas, tailored interventions [6] and place-based strategies are essential for youth integration, economic diversity, and digital connectivity [7]. This paper presents the preliminary findings from stakeholder interviews conducted in person and online. A thematic analysis revealed six core dimensions (deductively coded) and sub-dimensions (abductively coded), forming part of a developing socio-ecological model that promotes a less anthropocentric approach to social innovation. The model, called RuSTIC—Rural Social–ecological Transformative Innovation Capabilities—draws inspiration from Huntjens’ concept of Transformative Social–Ecological Innovation (TSEI) [8].

2. Materials and Methods

This study included 46 participants across four categories: young entrepreneurs, professors/researchers, NGOs and local associations, and government entities focused on social innovation and rural development. The participants were chosen through convenience sampling to capture a diversity of experiences across all of mainland Portugal including the NUTS 2 regions (pre-2024). The semi-structured interviews, held in person or via Zoom and lasting about 1.5 hour each, explored views on social innovation, rural young entrepreneurship, the challenges to rural development, resource diversity, and the role of Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in promoting social innovation. The participants also discussed the Portuguese “Rural Young Entrepreneur” statute’s potential to foster social innovation, territorial cohesion, and well-being in rural areas. The interviews were transcribed using TRINT software (free version), then were manually reviewed for accuracy and analyzed via MAXQDA through a thematic content analysis. So far, 24 interviews (5 young entrepreneurs, 7 professors/researchers, 7 NGOs, and associations, and 5 government entities) have been analyzed, resulting in approximately 700 pages of transcripts and around 4000 coded segments. The coding combined deductive elements from the European Innovation Scoreboard report “How to measure social innovation” [9] with abductive coding for the new sub-dimensions inspired by [10,11], yielding insights from both the established frameworks and empirical findings.

3. Results and Discussion

In Figure 1, we present the six main dimensions and their observed frequencies across all the coded segments. These dimensions encompass a total of 3904 coded segments, representing 99% of the relative frequencies from the 24 interviews coded so far. The remaining codes, outside of these main dimensions, such as “religion” and “critical mass”, are less frequent. Although minimal in occurrence, these codes are acknowledged for their broader relevance to this study.

Among the six identified dimensions, Civil Society stands out, underscoring the importance of civil society participation as defined in the SIMRA project. In each of the four most prominent dimensions, key sub-dimensions emerged including the following: “Local Experimentation and Creativity” for Civil Society; “Higher Education Institutions and Lifelong Learning” for Knowledge and Skills; “Formal Institutional Monitoring at National Level” for a Political and Institutional Context; and “Young Age and Gender Profiles” for Entrepreneurship. The preliminary results emphasize the essential role of civil society in “Local Experimentation and Creativity”, which is supported by higher education, institutional monitoring, and diverse youth profiles in entrepreneurship. The findings highlight the need for tailored support for young entrepreneurs, collaborative approaches, and fewer bureaucratic barriers. The key factors for promoting social innovation include public policies, infrastructure, political support, sustainable agriculture, and adaptable funding. This includes integrating the knowledge, skills, and technologies, especially digital tools, that can attract young people to rural areas and enable remote work. Education and training, as well as partnerships among universities, businesses, and social organizations, are crucial for practical solutions and improving rural communities’ quality of life. Trust between civil society, policymakers, higher education institutions, and support agencies is vital for a sustainable transformation. Social innovation must also address the underlying power dynamics to prevent local elite capture [12].

4. Main Considerations and Future Actions

A collaborative network of critical academics, “organic” intellectuals, reflective activists, and progressive policymakers working closely with local communities is essential to address the rural challenges in Europe effectively, beyond single theories or temporary ideas [13]. Addressing rural issues requires integrating urban and rural development, utilizing regional strengths, and empowering local actors, as exclusively rural strategies are insufficient in a post-urban context [14]. Furthermore, local rural sustainability initiatives should prioritize social equity over mere economic growth and establish inclusive, locally relevant goals [15]. This research aims to inform youth policies, keeping rural areas central in the political arena and empowering young rural entrepreneurs to lead sustainable, innovative community development aligned with the European Union Rural Pact.