Rural regions are facing a variety of challenges – from demographic change and the loss of central infrastructure to social isolation. At the same time, it is clear that social innovations such as village stores, community gardens and ride-sharing initiatives can provide important impetus for crisis-proof development.

The report examines two regions – Hoher Fläming in Brandenburg and Ostharz in Saxony-Anhalt – in which a particularly large number of such initiatives have emerged. Based on qualitative interviews with regional stakeholders and an analysis of existing documents, the study identifies key factors that promote the emergence and development of social innovations.

These innovation factors include key areas such as a shared local culture of innovation, successful collaboration between local stakeholders, the existence of physical meeting spaces and connections to supra-regional networks. The report identifies a total of sixteen such conducive framework conditions and uses specific examples to show how they work in practice.

The results provide important points of reference for municipal decision-makers and those involved in social projects who want to make rural areas more resilient – not only in the face of current challenges, but also with regard to future crises.