The agricultural sector in Serbia faces multiple and intertwined challenges – environmental, demographic, organisational, technological, and others. Precisely because of this complexity, fragmented approaches are insufficient, and simply copying solutions and policies from other countries is inadequate. That is why, among other things, the living lab approach is increasingly being mentioned as part of the improvement and mass application of the principles of sustainable agriculture.
Living labs are complementary to cooperatives and represent a form of joint action with a focus on co-developing and testing solutions for sustainable agriculture in a specific local context. If consistently applied, they can be a kind of bridge between innovation and practice, and have the potential to support mass adoption of innovative practices. This applies not only to technological, but also to social innovation, as well as to the adaptation of existing solutions to the local context. It is not only a form of innovation, but also often the most effective way to achieve progressive change.
RURALITIES Steering Committee Meeting in Oviedo, Spain
During a two-day visit to Oviedo, the RURALITIES project partners discussed the current project activities, achievements and future plans. They also visited living labs established with support from the RURALITIES project.
The partners visited the RuralTech living lab, which deals with depopulation, loss of agricultural biodiversity and the impact of climate change on agriculture.
The visit then included a visit to the ASINCAR living lab, which reproduces the environment of an SME in the food industry. ASINCAR validates and tests new food technologies and processes, conducts research and provides expert training. These living labs represent examples of good practice in bridging the gap between innovation and adaptation, i.e. the implementation of solutions in local communities.
The RURALITIES project supports sustainable rural development and climate action in Europe and Africa by engaging, connecting and empowering rural actors by establishing living labs and training centres.
The project is funded by the European Commission through the Horizon Europe programme.
*You can find out more about the living labs supported by the RURALITIES project by clicking on the link below: https://www.ruralities-project.eu/living-labs/
