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 (ENHANCING SOCIAL INNOVATION IN RURAL AREAS HORIZON 101136253). These reports will act as the basis of D4.1, “Benchmark study on social exclusion in rural areas,” and D4.2, “Multi-level analysis of social economy initiatives in rural areas”.

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.