Deliverable 3.1 - First Living Lab Report: Osrednjeslovenska regija

D3.1 Reports of Pilot Regions Audits on Data Use and Needs, and Transition Policy Challenges and Opportunities: Osrednjeslovenska Regija, Slovenia

Osrednjeslovenska regija is a diverse central region of Slovenia with 25 municipalities and nine urban settlements. Over half the area is agricultural or forested, with many rural municipalities. This leads to disparities in infrastructure, living standards, and increased traffic in urban centers.

Transition Focus

Socio-economic and Demographic + Climate and Environmental

The RUSTIK Living Lab (LL) focuses on food loss and waste (FLW) and its impact on social inclusion and entrepreneurship due to its societal relevance and partners' expertise.

Key Transition Areas

1. Socio-economic and Demographic Transition:
   • Data Gaps: Lack of information on rural poverty, food access, and quality of life.
   • LL Focus: Address these gaps and improve access to quality food.
2. Climate and Environmental Transition:
   • FLW Impact: Significant sources of GHG emissions.
   • Data Needs: Real-time data on excess food and household food waste.

Living Lab Challenge

The LL aims to acquire real-time data on excess food and provide it to underprivileged rural populations. This will assess the impact of food redistribution on wellbeing and quality of life among vulnerable groups.

Rationale

The challenge addresses poverty, social exclusion, and poor food access, especially in rural areas. Urban institutions are major FLW sources, and the region's mix of rural and urban areas provides a testing ground for solutions.