On 29 September 2026, as part of the closing event of the RUSTIK Living Lab ‘Youth and Training in the Rhein-Hunsrück District’ at the Rhein-Mosel-Werkstatt in Simmern, the key findings of the multi-year process were presented and discussed with representatives from the youth sector, business, education and local government.
The Living Lab examined the factors influencing young people’s choices regarding training and careers, and explored how to enhance attractive future prospects in the Rhein-Hunsrück district. The focus was on the perspectives of young people as well as the views of regional employers and other regional stakeholders. The findings highlight, amongst other things, the importance of early career guidance, stronger networking amongst the stakeholders involved, and tailored information and support services for young people.
The Rhein-Hunsrück Living Lab is part of the European Horizon Europe project RUSTIK. The IfLS coordinates the overall project and also provides scientific support for the German Living Lab. Implementation on the ground was carried out by the Regionalrat Wirtschaft Rhein-Hunsrück e. V. Together, regional challenges were analysed and solutions developed for the further development of the apprenticeship market in the Rhein-Hunsrück district.
Results brochure published: The key findings and recommendations from the Living Lab are now available in a brochure. The brochure summarises the most important results and provides insights into the collaborative working process over the past few years.
Film about the Living Lab: A short film also offers an insight into the work of the Living Lab and the experiences of the participants.
The Rhein-Hunsrück Living Lab serves as an example of the added value that participatory approaches can offer for the development of practical solutions in rural areas, and of how regional stakeholders can work together to address future challenges at a local level.
Contact person at IfLS: Svea Thietje (thietje[at]ifls.de)
