The third General Assembly of the ESIRA project (Enhancing Social Inclusion and Rural Areas) took place from May 20 to 22, 2025, in the Norwegian town of Kongsvinger. The event was hosted by local partners the Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences (INN), and Innlandet County Council, who organised a three-day programme combining presentations, discussions, workshops, and field visits.

The gathering brought together representatives of ESIRA partners from across Europe, including Spain, Italy, Hungary, Serbia, Poland, Lithuania, France, and Norway. Each partner presented the progress made and future plans, both within their respective work packages and within their Multi-Actor Platforms (MAPs) – the key mechanisms through which ESIRA develops innovative and inclusive solutions for rural areas.

Throughout the Assembly, participants exchanged knowledge and good practices, analysed methodological approaches for working with local communities and vulnerable groups, and planned the next phases of the project. A particularly valuable part of the programme was the opportunity to meet the Norwegian MAP group from the Innlandet region and learn about their work on social inclusion and local capacity-building.

In addition to the working sessions, the organisers offered a rich cultural and social programme, including an introduction to the Kongsvinger Fortress, a visit to the Women’s Museum, a guided tour of the old town, and a workshop on public dialogue facilitated by the Nansen Center for Peace and Dialogue.

The ESIRA project, funded by the Horizon Europe programe, aims to improve social inclusion and empower marginalised groups in rural areas across Europe. It places special emphasis on strengthening local actors, supporting social economy initiatives, and applying participatory approaches in decision-making.

The next General Assembly of the ESIRA project will take place in Poland, hosted by the European Rural Development Network. Partners left Norway enriched with new insights, renewed motivation, and a stronger sense of community within the ESIRA network – united in their shared commitment to fair and sustainable change in rural Europe.