A new paradigm of rural innovation

In current discussions of innovation, rural people are typically excluded from the creative class. However, the history of Quebec’s rural communities shows that they have been and still are very creative, and that we can learn from them. Their innovation is manifested in three basic dimensions of sustainable development: managing natural environments, building instruments or institutions for economic development, and facilitating social life. Under this new paradigm of rural innovation, these innovations are studied as they emerge from within rural communities, as demonstrated by the Quebec Rural University initiative. Rural communities should also be seen as living examples (or living labs) of innovation, as illustrated by the Quebec government’s “Rural Laboratory” programme. “Rural clusters” are additional models for rural innovation.

Innovation and Modernising the Rural Economy

A new paradigm of rural innovation

Learning from and with rural people and communities