As part of the CIMER project (Inclusive Communities in Mountain and Rural Environments), the Fundació Ilersis opened the first Living Lab in Artesa de Segre on Thursday 13 March. The event, held at the Centro de Entidades building, brought together professionals, organisations and members of the public with the aim of designing innovative solutions to improve the autonomy of people with disabilities, dependency, older people and those in situations of frailty in rural and mountain areas.
A cross-border project for inclusion
CIMER is a pioneering initiative driven by eight organisations from the Catalan, Andorran and French Pyrenees, working together to promote more inclusive communities in rural and mountain areas. The project is based on creating participatory, awareness-raising and training activities, with the aim of improving the quality of life of the most vulnerable people.
Key activities of the CIMER project
The Artesa de Segre Living Lab is the first in a series of eight similar meetings to be held in different municipalities. In addition, the project includes a number of strategic actions, notably:
- Running 8 Living Labs to learn first-hand about the needs of vulnerable people.
- Setting up the Escuela de Vida Independiente (Independent Living School), which will offer training for older people, people with disabilities or in situations of frailty, as well as training for professionals and volunteers.
- Pilot test of a technology-based support system, with sensors installed in homes to help older people or people with disabilities.
- Mobile Family Support Centre, a travelling bus offering social services to reach remote communities.
- Collaboration in setting up a Territorial Resource Centre (CRT) in Toulouse, to support health and social care professionals.
- Social mentoring in Pyrenean communities, training people with experience of independent living to advise others in vulnerable situations.
- Setting up the Association of Mountain Villages for Independent Living, to ensure the project continues beyond its pilot phase.
- These initiatives will be rolled out progressively until June 2027, with Artesa de Segre and Jaca as pilot locations.
About the CIMER project
CIMER is a cross-border project 65% co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), under the Interreg VA Spain-France-Andorra programme (POCTEFA 2021-2027). Its aim is to strengthen the economic and social integration of the border area and to promote sustainable development through joint initiatives in the economic, social and environmental spheres.
