The Rural Spots Experience as a Research Tool
Subtitle
Under a shared methodological framework developed by the Research Centre and Ecomuseum La Ponte, the project partners (Espacio Tormaleo, Region Värmland, Museum Nord, Consiliul Județean Maramureș, Applied Arts Scotland, the University of St Andrews and La Ponte) carried out the activity known as Rural Spot between 2024 and 2025. In total, 15 meetings were organised: five in Asturias (Spain), three in Scotland (United Kingdom), one in Värmland (Sweden), three in Maramureș (Romania) and three in Lofoten (Norway).
The Rural Spots were conceived as meeting spaces for rural stakeholders connected to cultural heritage — both tangible and intangible — crafts, local entrepreneurship, community members and public bodies. Their primary aim was to develop a realistic diagnosis of the situation in the participating territories. These gatherings fostered the exchange of knowledge and experience, with particular attention given to good practices and innovative projects linked to cultural heritage and innovation, especially those focused on crafts and design that have made a significant contribution to sustainable development in its economic, social and environmental dimensions.
Despite the geographical and cultural diversity of the territories involved, the meetings revealed shared realities and challenges. For example, a high level of women’s participation in the field of crafts was observed, both in leadership roles and in project implementation. An internal debate within the craft community concerning tourism development in rural areas also became evident, reflecting differing perspectives among practitioners. In this context, the need to raise public awareness of the cultural, technical and symbolic value of crafts was emphasized, with workshops and training activities identified as effective means of achieving this. Furthermore, the importance of researching built ethnographic and historical heritage and promoting its restoration was highlighted, in order to assess it properly and integrate it into sustainable tourism strategies.
Presentation in Teverga, Asturias, Spain (Photograph by Research Centre and Ecomuseum La Ponte).
Presentation on the Isle of Lewis, Scotland (Photograph by Applied Arts Scotland).
Presentation in Brunskog, Värmland, Sweden (Photograph by Region Värmland).
Working groups in Melbu, Norway (Photograph by Museum Nord).
In conclusion, the Rural Spots proved to be an effective research tool within the framework of the project. The meetings enabled the analysis of synergies, the collection of contributions and a deeper understanding of diverse perspectives. At the same time, they laid the foundations for the development of territorial networks, fostering collaboration and complementarity among the various stakeholders involved.
Text: Carmen Pérez Maestro
(External evidence link)
