On 20-22 May, the IERD (Institute of Economics and Rural Development) team took part in the 2nd General Assembly of the ESIRA project, held in Kongsvinger, Norway. The event was hosted by the University of Inland Norway and the Innlandet County Council and took place at the recently inaugurated Innlandet Science Park—a regional hub for academic and business collaboration focused on innovation and sustainable development.
The meeting brought together project partners from across Europe to evaluate the progress of ESIRA and align on future directions. Special focus was given to the advancement of key Work Packages (WPs), which form the backbone of project implementation. The IERD team actively contributed to discussions, while also participating in sessions on WPs.
Each day of the assembly included intensive work sessions, with partners presenting updates, sharing methodological insights, and highlighting their local Multi-Actor Platform (MAP) activities. Lithuania’s MAP presentation, led by IERD, showcased how rural community initiatives are being activated through participatory processes and cross-sectoral collaboration.
Beyond the structured program, the event offered opportunities for informal dialogue, networking, and cultural enrichment. Participants explored the historical Kongsvinger Fortress, enjoyed local Norwegian cuisine, and deepened connections across the ESIRA partnership.
The General Assembly reaffirmed the importance of knowledge exchange, collaborative governance, and locally driven innovation in rural development. The IERD team returned inspired and ready to apply the insights gained in continuing to strengthen community-based social innovations in Lithuania.
Project start date: 1 January 2024
Duration: 4 years
Budget: 4 499 840,00 EUR
Coordinator: University of Burgos (Spain)
15 partners from 8 countries, piloting 9 regions.
More information about the project: www.esira.eu
The project is implemented by:
Dr. Živilė Gedminaitė-Raudonė (project manager in Lithuania), tel. (+370 5) 2617 978, e-mail zivile.gedminaite@ekvi.lt
Dr. Rasa Melnikienė, e-mail rasa.melnikiene@ekvi.lt
Dr. Dalia Vidickienė, e-mail dalia.vidickiene@ekvi.lt
Dr. Rita Lankauskienė, e-mail rita.lankauskiene@ekvi.lt
Dr. Vitalija Simonaitytė, e-mail vitalija.simonaityte@ekvi.lt
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