Change in rural regions is often measured primarily in terms of economic strength and labor market data. However, social innovation and community dynamics play an equally crucial role in equipping regions for the future. Particularly in view of global challenges such as climate change, social inequality and social fragmentation, a broader understanding of regional development processes is needed.

The concept paper “Towards an understanding of regional transformation capacity” from the WIRinREGIONEN research project focuses on this perspective. Together with project partners such as heimatBEWEGEN, Wertewandel e.V. and the Zukunftsorte network, the researchers are developing a new analytical framework. The aim is to understand the conditions and potential of social innovation in rural areas and to contribute to resilient, sustainable regions.

The report shows in detail that the traditional focus on economic growth and technological innovation falls short. Instead, it emphasizes that regions are also transformed by social practices, civil society initiatives and cultural renewal processes. Important terms such as “regional transformability”, “innovativeness” and “social innovation” are redefined and linked to practical examples, such as third places as meeting spaces. Theoretical approaches such as regional innovation systems and ecosystems of social innovation provide additional tools for analysis.

The key finding is that sustainable regions are not created solely through technological leaps or pure economic growth, but through vibrant social networks, communities that are keen to experiment and the ability to learn from crises. The concept paper thus provides important impulses for municipalities, initiatives and research that want to work on sustainable regional development.