The Times they are a-changing - a new European narrative on the adaptability of small places

Photo: Camilla Monsen and Naomi Dalsbø/Saltnwax for Visit Nordfjord

Today we must navigate political, social, economic and technological change. These changes have uneven territorial and regional impact. Effective responses need therefore in part to be territorially sensitive, and place based. This highlights the need for cooperation across levels of government and partnership. This was also emphasised in the declaration conclusions in June, from the ministers responsible for Cohesion Policy, Territorial Cohesion and Urban Matters.

Territorial Agenda 2030 adopted by the ministers responsible for spatial planning, territorial development and territorial cohesion in 2020 emphasise balanced, inclusive, and sustainable development by integrating territorial considerations into all levels of governance and policy-making.

Proposals for the next MFF have been presented by the EU. This is also a discussion, on how to better coordinate across sectors and between levels of government.

The seminar is part of European Week of Regions and Cities 2025, as a Close to you event. It is under the thematic area “The right to Stay unlocking the potential of every territory”. where sessions should be about how to support what a community needs, so that people want to stay.

Please find a Pre event brief here.

Moderator: Wiktor Szydarowski, Director ESPON EGTC.

Agenda               

1. 10:00 – 10:15: Welcome

Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development

2. 10:15 – 11:00: Introductory statements

Effective responses to today’s challenges need to be territorially sensitive at a European, nation and regional level supporting cooperation and partnership

• Presenting the national perspective Petter Skarheim, Secretary General, Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development
• Presenting the regional perspective Hanne Velure, Deputy County Mayor, Innlandet County Council
• Presenting the European perspective, Dg Regio (TBC)

3. 11:00 – 11:40: Demographic change – acknowledge reality and anticipate

The need to recognise demographic reality and anticipate has been emphasised in several reports including from OECD and ESPON.

 A conversation between Wiktor Szydarowski and Professor Kjell Overvåg, University of Innland Norway on demographic change based on the experience from the ESPON RURALPLAN project and the focus of a new research project (Rural – Shift)

4. 11:40 - 12:40 Lunch

5. 12:40 – 13:40: The importance of being agile – small places adaptability

In the debate on the future of Europe’s rural communities less attention has been given to what has been termed as Agency[1] - the ability of individuals and communities to adapt and shape their future. This part of the seminar will take a closer look at Agency and illustrate it with case studies.

Intervention by Linda Stihl and Magnus Nilsson University of Lund

Moderated panel discussions with input from the audience.

6. 13:40 – 14:00: Coffee break

7. 14:00 – 14:45: Connecting Small Places to larger ones – how can small communities play their cards right

If we look at the possibilities of small places to connect to larger systems, we are looking at how rural areas or small towns can fit into regional and national systems by forming external linkages or integrating into innovation ecosystems.

Intervention by Rune Dahl Fitjar, University of Stavanger  

Moderated panel discussions with input from the audience.

8. 14:45 – 15:00: Summary and farewell

Summary by Irene McMaster, EPRC

Seminar outline

• The need to acknowledge demographic reality
• Adaptability and its human foundation
• How does innovation, learning and development occur in specific places

Participants will be invited to actively participate in the panel discussions.

Registration for the seminar here

Please register before November 14.

The seminar is a cooperation between Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development, Innlandet County Council and University of Inland Norway.

[1] In a regional development perspective, human agency refers to the ability of individuals and communities to actively shape the development of their region through their choices, actions, and participation.