The 30th European Society for Rural Sociology (ESRS) Congress was held in Riga, Latvia, from 7 to 11 July. The BlueRev team from the Estonian University of Life Sciences delivered a presentation entitled “The Balance Between Social, Economic, and Environmental Needs: An Exploration of the Role of the Blue Bioeconomy in the Saaremaa Region” in the working group on Bioregions as a Strategy for Liveable Rural Communities.

The concept of bioregions centres on strengthening local economies within distinct cultural and geographic areas by promoting socially and environmentally responsible practices, while preserving cultural heritage, landscapes, and traditions. The BlueRev presentation explored how this concept is being applied in Saaremaa, focusing on how blue bioresources can be harnessed as drivers of local development, while promoting sustainable resource management and maintaining maritime traditions.

The findings drew on local insights gathered through workshops and interviews conducted in the Saaremaa region as part of the BlueRev project in 2023 and 2024. The presentation highlighted aspects of the region’s re-territorialisation, including access to marine resources and coastal areas, narratives around local bioresources, and place-making. It also examined the needs of various stakeholder groups, such as the public sector, local residents, industries, and visitors.

The ESRS Congress is the foremost event for rural research in Europe, bringing together scholars from a wide range of disciplines including sociology, agricultural economics, geography, political science, environmental studies, and more.