The main aim of this report has been to collect information regarding the situation of rural areas and the communities residing in each of the participating regions in the ESIRA project. These reports will serve as the basis for the “Benchmark study on social exclusion in rural areas” and the “Multi-level analysis of social economy initiatives in rural areas,” which will be developed during the project with the aim of analyzing the key challenges faced by rural populations, evaluating the effectiveness of existing policies and services, and identifying opportunities to strengthen social inclusion, support social economy initiatives, and foster social innovation in rural communities across Europe.  

This report seeks to go beyond available literature and statistical data and, together with the organisations participating in the pilots, explore the situation in the regions and the drivers behind their disadvantages.  

The report introduces the territorial organisation of Norway and analyses the situation of people living in rural areas, with a particular focus on territorial inequalities. 

A deeper examination of the drivers of vulnerability and social exclusion in rural contexts was undertaken in the Kongsvinger Region. The analysis considers the social processes in the region and the livelihood opportunities at the municipal level. Existing assets and hidden resources in the municipality were assessed according to statistical data and the opinions of leading local stakeholders in the social economy.