The VERVE Toolkit, titled “Imagining Vibrant Rural-Mountain Futures: A Field-Tested Toolkit of 25 Co-creative Methods”, introduces 25 creative methods designed to ignite dialogue, encourage critical thinking, and cultivate practical skills for transformative change in rural-mountain regions.
These biodiverse areas, often at the forefront of innovative regenerative solutions, face unique challenges such as isolation, limited institutional support, and socio-economic decline.
Centered on five priorities – youth, women, non-human beings, biocultural diversity, and innovative practices – the Toolkit promotes community-driven approaches that honor local knowledge and inspire the co-creation of hopeful futures. It supports professionals across disciplines who are interested in participatory and inclusive processes for shaping regenerative, future-ready communities. Rooted in leading-edge research on future thinking, place-based sustainability, and ecological justice, the methods draw on frameworks like Theory U and Appreciative Inquiry.
Supplementary materials offer comprehensive support to facilitate practical application in real-world contexts.
The Toolkit and all Supplementary Materials are currently available for download in English language.
They will soon be available in Italian as well.
The toolkit’ supplementary materials
The Toolkit is complemented by the following Supplementary Materials:
VERVE Rural Conversation Starters
(Supplementary Materials n.1)
A set of 24 postcards featuring a personal story written by a young resident or enthusiast of a rural-mountain area. These stories challenge simplistic or abstract portrayals of rural life, adding texture and nuance to the conversation. They delve into themes such as interconnected socio-ecological relationships, sense of place, socio-economic change, resource management, and aspirations for a good life. Reflecting on these postcards can encourage groups to share ideas and develop a richer understanding of rural socio-ecological dynamics. The postcards can be used to facilitate the “Generative Dialogue with Conversation Starters” shared in the VERVE Toolkit.
VERVE Rural Cards (Supplementary materials n.2)
A set of 66 images showcasing practices and phenomena related to rural areas. They highlight emerging innovations like telemedicine and nature-based wellness, as well as established practices such as social agriculture. The cards also depict broader trends, including extreme weather events and depopulation. Designed to spark conversations, the cards invite reflections on the potential of different practices and trends to shape the future of rural-mountain areas. The cards can be used to facilitate the method “Expanding Futures with Rural Cards” shared in the VERVE Toolkit.
VERVE Assembly Archetype Cards
(Supplementary materials n.3)
A set of 24 cards featuring eight humans, eight animals, and eight environmental elements typical of rural-mountain ecosystems. Each card combines scientific accuracy with storytelling, highlighting the unique contributions of these beings and elements to socio-ecological health and resilience. They can be used to facilitate the method “Assembly of Living Beings & Life Systems” shared in the VERVE Toolkit.
VERVE is funded by the European Union under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie actions (VERVE H2020-MSCA-IF-2020, Grant Agreement n.101025710). Views and opinions expressed are however those of the authors only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
