Research

efc logo letter left cutThe Finnish Village Movement Association implemented the ROAD project in cooperation with ELARD, ERCA and PREPARE 1.8.2018-31.1.2020. The project was financed by the Europe for Citizens programme.

ROAD - Connecting with research

The aim was to connect research and local stakeholders (ERP) for stronger evidence-based advocacy, networking and partnerships in rural development. Two events were organised. The main event in Ähtäri and a supportive event by young researchers in Kalmar – looking for how to use the hackathon methodology in developing circular businesses.


The main event was connected to the celebration the 20th Anniversary of MUA (NGO for Rural Development research in Finland) and co-organised by MUA and ERP. The event was held in Ähtäri, Finland 22-23.8.2019. See the programme here (​link to keeppartly in English) and the full report here.

The event celebrating the 20th Anniversary of MUA (NGO for Rural Development research in Finland) and co-organised by MUA and ERP.
The event was held in Ähtäri, Finland 22-23.8.2019. See the programme here (partly in English)

Some research results were collected to support ERP Messages.

During the Gathering in Candás a workshop on research was organised. See below the Gathering workshop material (links). Attachments 4,5,6 (WS 2, BOC, WS2 report)

 ”It is important that researchers engage with communities / stakeholders – allow scope for research ‘subjects’ to be research participants”. 

”The co-creation of knowledge, via participatory research, requires that researchers have the appropriate skills – to engage with people, Research can, and ought to, be embedded in the development process, and not just pursued to satisfy funders or ‘tagged-on’ to the end of a project or initiative” 

An ERP research network interested in local, place-based development was created. The network will get uptodate data from ERP. Common projects including villages and communities could be looked at. Research results of intererest (especially from young researches) could be published on the ERP-website.

Here you can find research from young or professional researchers related to rural development from a local perspective. Any ERP partner is invited to send studies to be published or read on the ERP website. Please send the core messageof the study and link to the full study.