On April 9, 2025, a focus group meeting titled “Universal Design and its Implementation in the Ignalina Region” took place at the Paliesius Manor in the Ignalina region. The event was organized by researchers Dr. Živilė Gedminaitė-Raudonė and Dr. Monika Belhaj from the Institute of Economics and Rural Development in cooperation with the Ignalina Local Action Group. The meeting brought together the Mayor of Ignalina Region Municipality, representatives of the municipal administration and public institutions, architects, and local community members.
During the meeting, a long-term vision for the EU’s rural areas and the Rural Proofing methodology were introduced. Dr. Živilė Gedminaitė-Raudonė shared the project’s GRANULAR objectives and the rationale for selecting the Ignalina region as a living lab, focusing on improving rural service delivery and accessibility for everyone. Meanwhile, Dr. Monika Belhaj provided an overview of universal design principles and their potential to transform public services, environments, and communication, highlighting international best practices and offering recommendations for the Ignalina Region.
Additionally, data from interviews conducted in January 2025 with representatives from various public institutions in the Ignalina Region were shared. Data highlighted key trends and challenges related to accessibility. The analysis revealed that public institutions face various obstacles in service provision, including a lack of tailored information for diverse user groups and infrastructure that does not fully meet the needs of all users. However, the interviews also identified several positive practices. It was noted that there is strong informal communication and collaboration among institutions and communities, which facilitates problem identification, joint solution development, and information sharing. Some institutions have already made notable strides in enhancing accessibility, including improvements to both the physical and informational environments.
Participants actively engaged in thematic discussions that encouraged critical reflection on the current situation and the exploration of practical ways to apply universal design in local governance, service provision, and community activities. This engagement contributed to a deeper understanding of the relevance of universal design principles and their integration potential in the development of the Ignalina region, fostering closer cooperation among stakeholders.
The meeting was organized as part of the Horizon Europe project GRANULAR activities. More information about the project: https://www.ruralgranular.eu/.
Contact information:
Dr. Živilė Gedminaitė-Raudonė, zivile.gedminaite@ekvi.lt
Dr. Monika Belhaj, monika.belhaj@ekvi.lt