The ESIRA project at the University of Burgos, focused on promoting Social Innovation in Rural Areas, continues to make progress in 2025 after establishing the Rural Laboratory of the Pinares Burgos-Soria region. The project has created five thematic Working Groups which form the core of the Rural Laboratory and have been formally established, involving around 100 people, including local agents, researchers, advisors, mentors, and social innovation initiative leaders. This space fosters debate and the development of innovative ideas aimed at revitalizing rural areas across the Pinares region.
These five working groups were established in late December 2024 and finalized by January 15. Despite having only two months of activity, more than twenty initiatives are already linked to at least one of the five groups.
The Working Groups focus on five Rural Innovation Areas: Health, Well-being, and Society; Entrepreneurship and Economy; Tourism, Hospitality, and Services; Culture, Education, Leisure, and Heritage; and finally, Environment, Sustainability, Nature, and Digitalization.
The strategic social innovation initiatives that will be addressed by the Rural Lab Pinares tackle social issues such as providing psychological care in rural areas, developing carpooling systems for medical appointments, and promoting day centers for the elderly and people with disabilities. In the area of economic development and job creation, initiatives include promoting female entrepreneurship, bioconstruction, and industrial activity.
In the tourism and services sector, three initiatives related to sustainable tourism are being actively promoted, including the creation of rural hostels and inns with cultural activities and initiatives to highlight the region’s value. The Culture, Education, Leisure, and Heritage group is working on seven projects, ranging from building educational centers to promoting cultural and educational activities, such as the restoration of the San Juan Nepomuceno ship, led by the Cabaña Real de Carreteros association.
Lastly, the Environment, Sustainability, Nature, and Digitalization group is evaluating four initiatives focused on environmental sustainability, such as the restoration of greenway segments and academic projects like assessing the ecosystem services of the Neila and Urbión Mountains. This group is open to collaborations with the Junta de Castilla y León and the Biodiversity Foundation to co-create experiences related to ecosystem services from forested areas and develop land stewardship initiatives in micro nature reserves.
All the initiatives proposed so far aim to improve community dynamics, social inclusion, and environmental care. Although still in the early stages of development, they have solid foundations to move forward. To date, the working groups have brought together both the promoters of these ideas and others interested in supporting and contributing to their collective development. In the future, experts will join to help overcome any challenges. Additionally, the five groups will collaborate to find synergies between initiatives, enhance communication, and foster interdisciplinary dynamics.
In the coming months, the ESIRA project—particularly the entities leading the Pinares Burgos-Soria pilot (University of Burgos, Fundación Oxígeno, and SODEBUR)—will continue working to address the needs of the Pinares region in close collaboration with its residents. The ideas of the rural community, which must be at the heart of its development, will drive the project. A comprehensive training program will begin in early February, including visits to successful rural innovation experiences, practical workshops on forming Energy Communities, generating resources from CO2 rights, encouraging youth entrepreneurship in rural areas, brainstorming sessions on mobility and rural housing issues, and networking events with similar experiences and projects.
As highlighted by Luis Marcos, coordinator of the ESIRA European Project, this intensive program will also align with the coordination of eight other rural innovation pilots in eight European countries, involving 15 international partners. The goal is to implement an innovative and agile practical methodology for the operation of the five Working Groups in Pinares Burgos-Soria, coordinating with the Rural Laboratory to turn promising and necessary initiatives into solid, transformative, and feasible projects.




