Advancing inclusive social services in rural Europe: INSPIRE project kicks off

INSPIRE aims to foster social inclusion and empower social entrepreneurs in rural regions across Europe.
The project began its journey in October 2024, gathering 18 partners from 11 countries to address the needs of rural communities through innovative governance, enhanced social service delivery, and the promotion of social entrepreneurship.
highlight the unique challenges faced by rural communities and how INSPIRE’s pilot initiatives could create meaningful impacts.
At the heart of INSPIRE is the concept of “Smart Villages,” which emphasises localised innovation and participatory governance. Seven Smart Village Labs will be established in Ireland, France, Greece, Poland, Slovakia and Romania, in order to foster the development of high-quality social services tailored to the needs of vulnerable populations in rural areas.
The project also introduces an advanced territorial typology to map the social inclusion landscape of Europe’s rural regions. By identifying key drivers, risks, and trends, INSPIRE seeks to equip policymakers and stakeholders with actionable insights to promote inclusive governance frameworks.
For more information about the INSPIRE project, read the full press release here.