Research on social innovation in rural regions is gaining momentum. However, the question where new impulses for innovation in rural regions are being created remains unanswered. This article argues that social innovation processes in rural regions can be inspired by cross‐border constellations of actors and do, at times, build on bodies of knowledge and practices widespread in urban areas. Ethnographic data from Germany's rural Eifel region in Rhineland‐Palatinate, Lower Lusatia, and the Uckermark region located in Brandenburg illustrates the way in which external urban factors and cross‐border constellations of actors can influence rural social innovation. Thereby, rural social innovation stimulates the intersection of rural and urban elements (strengthening rural‐urban relations) and the erosion of rural‐urban antagonisms.

Many so‐called structurally disadvantaged rural regions are characterized by an ongoing demographic change, low economic productivity, and an insufficient infrastructure. Paradoxically, citizens of such regions are often urged to address local challenges by developing innovative ideas, products, or services. Innovation is becoming a “message of salvation” and imperative to local action due to a rise of an innovation regime that conceptualizes innovation as reflexive and ubiquitous. Unlike cities, however, disadvantaged rural regions are often seen as not conducive to innovation. And older adults are rarely ever regarded as potential innovators. This article will examine how innovations emerge in disadvantaged rural regions and what role older adults play in this context. It focuses on social innovation which is important for processes of rural renewal. Drawing on insights gained through the “Innovation in Rural Municipalities” research project, the paper illustrates the resourcefulness of older adults in the context of socially innovative community development. Older adults can in fact act as drivers of innovative projects, actively participate in and make use of social innovations. Their specific role, however, depends on their personal motives, community‐related interests, and available resources.

No abstract