Key Drivers of the Engagement of Farmers in Social Innovation for Marginalised Rural Areas

Antonio Baselice,Maurizio Prosperi,Antonio Lopolito,Antonio Stasi,Mariarosaria Lombardi

doi:10.3390/su13158454

Abstract

The European Union promotes social innovation (SI) initiatives for the support of marginalised rural areas through rural and sustainable development policies. These are based on the engagement of local actors and the strengthening of their mutual relationships to boost the fostering of professional collaborations. In this context, the Horizon 2020 Social Innovation in Marginalised Areas (SIMRA) project elaborated a conceptual framework for characterising the engagement in an SI initiative. Accordingly, this paper aims to demonstrate that engagement relies on specific key drivers, such as the existence of unmet social needs and the role of agency. To this end, a two-step Heckman model was applied to an SI initiative case study called Vàzapp’, a rural hub (agency) located in Southern Italy. It promotes relationships among farmers to valorise the marginalised rural areas. The results appear consistent with the theoretical framework, demonstrating that the farmers’ engagement was motivated by the existence of the aforementioned determinants. The implications are relevant for policymakers, consultants, and social innovators who may incorporate these elements in designing specific SI projects in different contexts.

Highlights

They provide natural resources, environmental goods, and eco-services, as well as cultural and social heritage. Their economic role in providing agricultural goods needed to activate valuable food and supply chains is widely recognised [2]. This motivates European Commission (EC) efforts to maintain rural areas, especially those lagging behind and those affected by marginalization, such as geographical remoteness, significant industrial decline, and high aging and unemployed populations
social innovation (SI) has received a great deal of interest as a local development driver for marginalised rural areas
SI initiatives are seen as a flexible method to cope with the idiosyncrasies of rural areas and have proven their capacity to select and implement relevant and effective actions tailored to local communities’ contexts

Summary

Introduction

Union (EU) level since they represent about 80% of EU territory and 57% of the EU population, accounting for 46% of the gross value added [1] They provide natural resources, environmental goods, and eco-services, as well as cultural and social heritage. Their economic role in providing agricultural goods needed to activate valuable food and supply chains is widely recognised [2]. This motivates European Commission (EC) efforts to maintain rural areas, especially those lagging behind and those affected by marginalization, such as geographical remoteness, significant industrial decline, and high aging and unemployed populations.

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Conclusion