“Low-density territories, especially those characterized as rural, are important not only for the local economy, but also for the national economy (Almeida & Machado, 2021; Carvalho, 2018) and the international economy (Kastenholz, 2002). In this sense, Territorial Marketing plays a fundamental role in the development of these kinds of territories, helping to value traditions, preserve heritage, promote local products, and create unique experiences that bring visitors and/or tourists closer to local communities. In the opinion of Pane (2023), it is essential to ensure the sustainability of the territory and maintain the quality of life of its residents, that are aspects that Territorial Marketing must always consider.
The municipality of Mirandela is developing a Strategic Plan for Tourism Development 2030 and Observatory for Tourism and Sustainability with the aim of defining Management, Planning, Innovation, and Operationalization Strategies that support an integrated vision of the territory (CMM, 2025). This study pretends to contribute to this plan by considering the perspective of Pereira, a small village.
This study follows a qualitative methodology. The study initially drew on a literature review of the main concepts to be explored. A content analysis of different documents related to local and regional territory was made. Subsequently, participant observation was carried out involving the researcher on site, collecting data and information relevant to the study. Next, testimonials were collected from residents of the age 65 and over to identify some traditions, local products, and heritage important to the identity of the village of Pereira. Finally, semi-structured interviews were conducted with different stakeholders.
This study aims to present some proposals for sustainable development public policies related to territorial identification. It presents territorial marketing strategies that promote the territory in a sustainable manner, preserving the quality of life of its residents and preserving territorial identity. In this way, the village of Pereira will be able to attract tourists, visitors, investors, and others while preserving its identity and sustainability.

This article aims to assess Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs) as a strategic tool for aligning public policies that foster entrepreneurship and innovation within the context of local governments. Based on the literature, it is argued that adopting a TRL-based framework allows for the optimisation of public investments, accelerates the transition of technologies from the laboratory to the market, and contributes to the creation of more competitive local ecosystems (Bogacheva & Smorodinov, 2022). The analysis assumes that, although TRLs were originally conceived by NASA in the 1970s to evaluate technological readiness in the aerospace sector, their application has since expanded across various domains of the economy, including innovation funding programs, startup support policies, and knowledge transfer mechanisms between universities and firms (Mankins, 1995; Héder, 2017). Through a bibliographic review, this study explores both the origins and adaptations of the TRL framework, as well as its increasing use in funding programs and innovation-related public policies. Furthermore, the article discusses the benefits of tailoring support instruments, such as incubators, living labs, pre-commercialisation mechanisms, and internationalisation strategies, to the respective stage of technological maturity, in order to mitigate risks and maximise the socioeconomic impact of public initiatives. The adoption of TRLs by local governments can serve as a guiding mechanism for the design of innovation and entrepreneurship policies, ensuring greater rationality in resource allocation and in the development of differentiated support programs. In addition, the study emphasises the importance of adapting TRLs to the specific context of municipalities by considering factors such as the availability of human capital, the needs of local firms, and the challenges of environmental sustainability.

The governance of public services has long been a central theme in public administration theory, with municipalities facing the challenge of selecting appropriate mechanisms (hierarchy, market, or networks) to provide it. Drawing on Transaction Cost Theory and insights from New Public Management, this paper applies these frameworks to the field of animal welfare policy, focusing on the organisation of official shelters for companion animals (CRO) in Portugal. These services have gained unprecedented importance following recent legislative changes that transferred new responsibilities to municipalities. Combining the obligation to ensure adequate structures, comply with technical standards, and respond to growing social pressure has made the management of CRO a significant administrative challenge, prompting many municipalities to reconsider how they deliver this service. The study investigates the factors that explain three sequential decisions by municipalities: (1) whether or not to provide the service, (2) whether to opt for individual or cooperative provision, and (3) whether to choose among the different possible governance mechanisms. By situating these decisions within broader theories of local governance, the research interprets animal welfare services as both a response to citizen pressure and a test case for institutional adaptation to emerging social policies. Methodologically, the study follows a quantitative approach, analysing official data from all 308 Portuguese municipalities. Empirical analysis was carried out using binary and multinomial logistic regressions to test the influence of economic, demographic, financial, and political variables on municipal choices. This allowed the identification of structural determinants behind governance arrangements in a domain still underexplored in public administration literature. Findings show that demographic scale and financial autonomy significantly increase the likelihood of municipalities providing CRO services. Smaller municipalities are more prone to cooperative arrangements, often through intermunicipal structures. Governance choices are also shaped by financial capacity, while political ideology and debt levels did not display significant effects. Interestingly, some municipalities adopt direct provision despite resource constraints, which may reflect leadership sensitivity, path dependence, or strong local social pressure for action. The study contributes theoretically by extending governance analysis to a new policy area, demonstrating how established frameworks of service provision can illuminate the institutionalisation of animal welfare services. Practically, it reveals disparities in municipal capacity to meet new legal mandates, underscoring that legislative imposition alone does not ensure universal provision or quality. Instead, supportive policies (financial, technical, and organisational) are required to enable municipalities to comply effectively. By framing CRO services within the broader debate on governance innovation and civic participation, the paper argues that these services are not simply a legal obligation but also a reflection of how municipalities respond to citizen expectations and negotiate their role in new social policy domains. This case provides valuable insights into the dynamics of inclusion, responsiveness, and innovation in local public administration.

This article is based on preliminary results from research conducted as part of SGS/11/2024. The analyses focus on residents’ satisfaction and their expectations of local government. Meeting these expectations should have a positive impact on residents’ quality of life and strengthen their participation in public life. The article is based on the theory of the macro-framework of social work and its goal – to strengthen the participation of the population in public life and to strengthen mutual solidarity.
The theoretical part describes the basic principles of the macro-framework of social work, which are focused on the entire local community.
Qualitative research methods were used for the practical part, which were then processed using the cluster method. The article interprets partial results, which, however, include all age groups – youth, middle-aged people, and seniors. Another important part is data from educational institutions and some local associations.
The results of qualitative research methods are interpreted from the perspective of environmental methods.
The final summary presents the requirements for the expected results of local government activities to change the quality of life of residents. It also includes residents’ suggestions for practical steps to be taken by the local government. What is particularly interesting in the results, however, is the proposal for a whole philosophy of change in thinking to create a local atmosphere. According to the respondents, the goal of the change is to create a community that is able to help each other and strengthen community life. According to the respondents, community life is created based on the principles of educational institutions, which need to be preserved despite the contradictory steps taken by ministries.

Digital transformation has become increasingly central in modernizing local public administration, contributing to greater efficiency, transparency, and proximity between citizens and local authorities. The increasing digitization of administrative processes requires a deeper understanding of municipalities’ digital maturity levels and the factors that influence these differences across the territory. The main objective of this study is to present a digital maturity index for municipalities in Portugal and then to identify and analyze determinants that help explain the territorial asymmetries observed.
The methodology followed is quantitative, using an index previously constructed within the scope of the literature on smart government, adapted based on updated data for 2023, to more adequately reflect the Portuguese context. The index was applied to the 308 municipalities of mainland Portugal and the autonomous regions, allowing for a detailed mapping of the level of digitalization of local public administration throughout the country. After mapping digital maturity by the municipality, this study carries out a multiple linear regression analysis to assess the influence of three explanatory variables on municipalities’ levels of digital maturity: (i) the old-age dependency ratio, used as a proxy for population aging; (ii) the effective population growth rate; and (iii) the number of broadband Internet accesses at a fixed location per 100 inhabitants. The results indicate that, in 2023, the population growth rate and internet access show a positive relationship with digital maturity levels, while aging shows a negative relationship. All the variables showed statistical significance at a 10% confidence level.
These results suggest that municipalities with growing populations, better access to digital infrastructure, and less aging tend to have higher levels of digital development. This evidence reinforces the importance of public policies adapted to local realities and the need for digital transformation strategies that consider the territories’ socio-demographic and technological dynamics. The development of territorial digital maturity indices can represent a valuable tool for the strategic planning of local public policies, contributing to a more equitable and evidence-driven administration. This study offers a relevant empirical contribution to the literature on digital transformation in the public sector while providing a basis for more informed policy decisions in the context of local government in Portugal.

In recent years, public opinion has become increasingly concerned about intensive urbanization, which has led to a rural exodus and the consequent neglect of low-density territories ​(Accordino, 2019)​. In Portugal, this reality is characterized by a sharp contrast between the predominantly urban areas on the coast and the more rural regions in the interior. There are inequalities in access to services, employment opportunities, healthcare, and digital coverage, where the interior is disadvantaged ​(Ministério do Planeamento, 2020)​. In this context, digital technologies have emerged as a promising way to mitigate these asymmetries, enabling the remote provision of public services that impact the social and economic areas of the regions ​(Young, 2019)​.
This study aims to characterize and understand the impacts of the digitalization of Local Public Administration in low-density territories, focusing on the Douro Intermunicipal Community. This sample was chosen because this region comprises only municipalities with low population density and has the lowest levels of online public services in the Northern Region. Methodologically, this case study is divided into two parts. The first consists of a content analysis of the strategic documents of the Norte region and the CIM Douro, and the second an analysis of the municipal websites of the municipalities in this sub-region, considering three pillars: digital public administration tools, digital literacy programs, and digital social innovation measures.
The results show that the strategic documents highlight the importance of digitizing public administration and reinforce the social and economic impacts on the region’s development. Analysis of the websites shows widespread adoption of virtual counters, facilitating access to public services. To guarantee universal access to public services, some municipalities also have digital literacy programs, which include the elderly population. However, in digital social innovation, municipalities are still in their infancy, with some initiatives focused solely on supporting entrepreneurship. This study contributes to understanding the current state of digitalization in low-density territories at the municipal level. The conclusions presented open the way for future research in this study area.

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The global energy landscape is evolving, with distributed generation (DG) playing a key role. This study assesses the applicability of EnergyPLAN, a simulation tool, for a high renewable energy source (RES) system, focusing on Brazil. By comparing EnergyPLAN outputs with data from the Brazilian National System Operator (ONS), the research evaluates its accuracy. Findings show high accuracy in annual and monthly simulations for photovoltaic and hydroelectric plants but higher errors in daily simulations for variable RES like wind and solar. The study highlights the need for better modelling of variable RES and offers insights into EnergyPLAN’s effectiveness for energy planning, contributing to more reliable energy systems.

Municipalities, by virtue of their building portfolios and infrastructures, are central actors in the sustainable energy transition. Energy sharing enables municipalities to systematically align climate actions and civic participation. By energy sharing municipalities furthermore contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). They address in particular SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), and SDG 13 (Climate Action).
This paper analyses governance structures and the legal framework for energy sharing in Germany to identify both, benefits and barriers for municipalities.
First, existing energy-sharing models are explained and distinguished from self-consumption and tenant electricity models. The paper examines the associated governance structures with regard to responsibilities, risk allocation, procurement requirements, and integration into existing climate and sustainability innovation strategies at local level. It also analyses the potential SDG impact of these models such as security of emissions reduction and social inclusion.
The paper furthermore assesses benefits and barriers for municipalities which derive from the existing legal framework in the multi-level system: the European Union’s provisions on Renewable Energy Communities, the federal law including § 6 of the German Renewable Energy Sources Act and Acts on Participation at states-level. Recent case law will be taken into account.
The paper concludes by discussing the extent to which these legal and organisational conditions strengthen or constrain municipal innovation capacity to act in the context of sustainability and SDG targets.

The aim of the paper is to evaluate the prerequisites for the development of social entrepreneurship and for the employment of people disadvantaged in the labour market in the Czech Republic after the entry into force of Act No. 468/2024 Coll., on Integrative Social Enterprise. The paper will briefly characterize the conditions for social entrepreneurship and employment of people disadvantaged on the labour market before the enactment of this norm and outline the most important expectations associated with its enactment.
Furthermore, the concept of an integrative social enterprise and its definition according to the new law will be approached and this definition will be compared with approaches to social entrepreneurship in Europe and in the world and with the concept of work integration social enterprises.
Subsequently, the main implications of the enactment of this norm for the employment of people disadvantaged on the labour market in the Czech Republic on the one hand and for the functioning of social enterprises and social entrepreneurship in the Czech Republic on the other will be discussed. In connection with the employment of people disadvantaged on the labour market, the role of the key institutes enshrined in Act No. 435/2004 Coll., on Employment, i.e. primarily a protected labour market and a socially purposeful job under this Act, will be discussed.
Attention will also be paid to the question to what extent the enactment of an integrative social enterprise can contribute to the development of social entrepreneurship in the Czech Republic more generally, i.e. in particular the question of whether the enactment of an integrative social enterprise in its current form can be expected to contribute to the development of social entrepreneurship in the Czech Republic in other respects than “”only”” by expanding capacities and compensating for some limitations of existing institutes aimed at supporting people disadvantaged in the labour market anchored in the Act on Employment.

Local Public Administration has increasingly resorted to the use of service provision contracts, particularly in the form of retainer agreements. In this context, it is important to determine whether these are genuine service contracts, with the autonomy that underlies them or not. The repeated use of this contractual modality, with indications of legal subordination, may reveal situations of labour precariousness . Jurisprudence denies the conversion of these contracts into public employment relationships, perpetuating legal uncertainty for the workers involved. In practice, the use of precarious contracts weakens not only labour conditions but may also affect the quality of local public services, due to higher staff turnover, less stability, and less commitment from workers, thus compromising the effectiveness of public action.
Not all service provision contracts imply labour precariousness. The key issue lies in the “false” service contracts – those that are effectively disguised employment relationships. The literature highlights the difficulty in distinguishing an employment contract from a service contract, using the indicative method, although characterised by its fallibility (subjection to orders and instructions, existence of working hours, workplace determined by the employer, fixed, regular and periodic remuneration, among many others). The aim of this study is therefore to identify the signs of legal subordination within these contracts, answering the question: to what extent do the municipalities of Northeast Trás-os-Montes use service provision contracts as a disguised form of public employment?
The Northeast Trás-os-Montes comprises the municipalities of Alfândega da Fé, Bragança, Carrazeda de Ansiães, Freixo de Espada à Cinta, Macedo de Cavaleiros, Miranda do Douro, Mirandela, Mogadouro, Torre de Moncorvo, Valpaços, Vila Flor and Vimioso. The delimitation of the study is justified by their geographical proximity, socioeconomic characteristics, and common challenges in the management of human resources by the municipalities.
Therefore, this research focuses on analysing service provision contracts signed by the municipalities of Northeast Trás-os-Montes over the last ten years, using public data available on the “Base.Gov” portal, as well as personnel maps from the official municipal websites and the State Organisation Information System (DGAEP-SIOE). The objective is to understand the scale and characteristics of this phenomenon in the region, comparing the proportion of these contracts in relation to permanent staff. In order to meet our objectives, surveys will be conducted through questionnaires directed at workers hired under this modality, aiming to collect information about the presence of signs indicative of legal subordination.
It is essential to reflect in depth on strengthening public policies that promote stable employment relationships and dignified labour conditions, as well as more modern and efficient human resources management. The analysis to be carried out aims to serve as a foundation for developing strategies to regularize and modernize Human Resources Management in the municipalities of Northeast Trás-os-Montes and, in the near future, to enable it to be replicated throughout Portugal, strengthening labour justice and the capacity for innovation in Local Public Administration.

Local public administration plays a central role in promoting diversity and inclusion, yet translating policy intentions into meaningful practice remains a challenge. This study explores how municipal institutions address diversity and inclusion within their staff and in service to their communities. Using qualitative methods, including interviews with local administrators and analysis of policy documents, the research identifies both successes and barriers in current practices. Findings suggest that efforts often focus on representation and compliance but may overlook everyday experiences of exclusion or the need for participatory engagement. Leadership commitment, clear communication, and ongoing reflection emerge as important factors in shaping inclusive practices. The study highlights that achieving meaningful inclusion is a gradual process that requires attention to both organizational culture and community relationships. By examining local approaches in a practical and context-sensitive manner, this research contributes to understanding how municipal governments can better support diverse populations and foster equitable practices.

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Several global factors and events are currently creating an environment of uncertainty across all sectors, particularly in the education sector. Market globalization and advances in information and communication technologies, specifically artificial intelligence, are factors that influence the education sector. While artificial intelligence is advancing rapidly, security in the digital environment faces significant challenges, often exacerbated by human behavior. In this sense, the implementation of specific public policies is extremely important in the education of citizens, to provide the right to knowledge and education in an inclusive and egalitarian manner. Despite their limited experience, younger generations also express their perspectives. In order to understand the opinions of young Portuguese people on the digital environment security they experience daily, an online questionnaire was conducted between September 25 and October 15, 2024, with 157 validated responses. The profile of respondents is mostly young, between 18 and 25 years old, female, and students who have completed high school. The evidence pointed to the perception that it is necessary to create defense systems, but also to avoid mistakes such as accidentally opening links, as these can result in phishing. For respondents, it is important to identify the main risk factors. In addition, the lack of knowledge or previous experience was considered a barrier to implementing safer behavior, and teachers and supervisors can help with prevention. Ultimately, to achieve more assertive communication, young people tend to prefer watching and following videos. This study aims to provide important insights for the adoption of specific public policies that, on the one hand, promote the training of students in an inclusive and egalitarian manner in the use of technologies and, at the same time, provide a safe environment for such use.

Coworking has been widely discussed in the literature as a form of flexible work organisation and a catalyst for collaboration, innovation, and territorial regeneration (Bock, 2016; Orel et al., 2022). In public administration studies, these spaces are increasingly recognised as laboratories for experimenting with new governance models, contributing both to local policy innovation and to the modernisation of service delivery (Avdikos & Papageorgiou, 2021). Which economic and social factors influence Portuguese municipalities to establish coworking spaces? This central research question is grounded in two theoretical perspectives. First, the digital transformation perspective frames coworking spaces as infrastructures that foster digital skills, remote work, and knowledge sharing. Second, the local governance perspective interprets coworking as a policy tool through which municipalities pursue objectives such as economic development, demographic sustainability, and improved civic participation. By linking these perspectives, the study positions coworking as a hybrid innovation at the intersection of technology adoption and public sector reform. Methodologically, the research applies a quantitative, cross-sectional design, covering the 186 municipalities listed in Ministerial Order No. 208/2017. Data was collected via a structured survey, and preliminary results reveal that municipal engagement with coworking is not evenly distributed. While national policies promote telework and digitalisation, their translation into local practice is mediated by economic incentives, political priorities, and resource availability. Municipalities with stronger strategies for attracting remote workers and fostering innovation are more likely to adopt coworking initiatives. In contrast, structural barriers such as budgetary constraints and limited policy capacity slow down wider diffusion. The study contributes to the theoretical debate by framing coworking spaces simultaneously as digital infrastructures and policy innovations. On the one hand, they facilitate digital transformation by enabling remote work, promoting ICT use, and supporting new organisational cultures. On the other hand, they embody a form of public sector experimentation, in which municipalities design and implement policies that combine economic, social, and territorial objectives. The findings underscore the need for more integrated public policies that bridge national digital agendas with local implementation capacities. Recommendations will highlight strategies for overcoming institutional fragmentation, enhancing municipal digital literacy, and fostering partnerships with private and civic actors. In doing so, the paper provides insights into how coworking spaces can serve as catalysts for innovation in local governance, while advancing broader agendas of digital transformation and territorial sustainability.

Digital transformation has emerged as a central paradigm in contemporary public administration, reshaping how governments design, deliver, and evaluate services at all levels. In local governance, this shift is not limited to the adoption of new technologies; it also entails institutional innovation, citizen-centred service models, and new forms of policy implementation. Scholars highlight that municipalities, as the closest tier of government to citizens, play a decisive role in ensuring that national digital strategies are effectively translated into locally relevant practices. Against this theoretical background, the present study analyses the digital (re)design of urban planning services in the Municipality of Valpaços, Portugal. The project was developed within the framework of the national strategy for administrative modernisation and employed the participatory tools of LabX, the Portuguese Public Sector Innovation Lab. It addresses the following question: How can municipal urban operations services be digitally redesigned to align with both legal requirements and citizen needs? Methodologically, the study is anchored in the interpretive paradigm and adopts a qualitative approach. Data collection combined semi-structured interviews with service users and focus groups with municipal staff. This enabled the identification of structural challenges in digital service provision as well as opportunities for greater efficiency, accessibility, and inclusiveness. Findings indicate that while citizens value the transparency and convenience associated with digital platforms, obstacles persist in areas such as digital literacy, access to technology, and the complexity of administrative procedures. Municipal employees recognise the potential of digital tools for streamlining operations but emphasise the importance of maintaining hybrid solutions that combine digital channels with face-to-face support. The study reveals that digital transformation in local public administration is not merely a technological endeavour but a socio-institutional process requiring adaptation to diverse user needs and organisational capacities. Theoretically, the research contributes to understanding digital transformation as a dual process: the integration of technological infrastructures and the innovation of governance practices. Practically, it provides recommendations for strengthening municipal capacity, including investment in digital literacy, fostering interoperability between platforms, and embedding co-creation methodologies in service design. By situating the Valpaços case within the broader discourse on public sector innovation, the paper demonstrates how local governments can reconcile efficiency with inclusiveness, thereby reinforcing trust in public institutions while advancing digital transformation.

Digital transformation has become one of the key factors shaping the future development of higher education institutions. It does not merely involve the implementation of new information systems or technological tools, but represents a comprehensive change in the strategic governance of universities, which must respond to a dynamic environment and increasing societal demands. In this process, agile change management plays a crucial role, emphasizing flexibility, adaptability, and the active participation of all stakeholders – academic staff, students, administrative personnel, and university leadership.
The aim of this study is to identify legislative and competence-related barriers that slow down or complicate the digital transformation of higher education institutions in the Czech Republic. Particular attention is given to their impact on the ability of universities to effectively apply agile principles of change management, which are essential for the long-term sustainability of transformation processes.
The methodological framework is based on a comparative analysis of selected national strategic and legislative documents, including the Higher Education Act, national digitalization strategies, and conceptual materials in the field of education and research. This analysis makes it possible to map both legislative barriers (e.g., rigid legal frameworks, unclear allocation of competences, and excessive administrative burden) and competence-related barriers (such as insufficient digital skills, limited strategic preparedness, or resistance to organizational change).
The findings suggest that successful digital transformation in higher education requires not only technological innovation, but also targeted systemic changes in legislation, competence development, and institutional culture. The study concludes with recommendations aimed at overcoming the identified barriers and creating favorable conditions for the effective implementation of digital strategies in higher education institutions.

This paper explores the advantages and challenges of the decentralisation process in Guinea-Bissau, with a specific focus on the Bissau City Council (Câmara Municipal de Bissau). Decentralisation, defined as the transfer of powers, resources, and responsibilities from the central government to local authorities—is considered a key mechanism for promoting administrative efficiency, strengthening civic participation, and fostering local development.
The central research question guiding this study is: What are the advantages and challenges of the decentralisation process for the Bissau City Council, and how can it enhance local governance and citizen engagement? To address this, the study pursued the following specific objectives: (i) identify the main decentralisation reforms in the country; (ii) assess the perceptions of citizens and civil servants regarding the relevance of decentralisation; (iii) examine the role of decentralisation in improving local governance; and (iv) identify the main benefits and obstacles to its implementation.
A mixed-methods approach was adopted, combining a documentary and literature review with a questionnaire-based survey targeting citizens and public officials. The findings indicate a broadly positive perception of decentralisation’s potential to improve public service delivery, foster civic engagement, and reduce regional disparities. However, several barriers were identified, including political instability, limited financial and human resources, an underdeveloped legal framework, and weak institutional capacity at the local level.
The study concludes that while decentralisation presents a significant opportunity to enhance local governance and civic participation in Guinea-Bissau, its success depends on strong political will, investment in human capital, and robust transparency and accountability mechanisms. A gradual, coordinated, and inclusive approach is essential to ensure its effective implementation and to contribute to state reform and the consolidation of local democracy.

The aim of the paper is to analyse the role of the participatory democracy mechanisms in ethnically divided Bosnia and Herzegovina, with the reflection of complicated political system resulted from the war between 1992 and 1995 and final Dayton Peace Accord implemented after the war. I nowadays political system of Bosnia and Hercegovina the ethnic parties, representing different constitutive nations of Bosnia and Herzegovina – Bosniaks, Serbs and Croats, are playing crucial role in all of the levels (central, entity, cantonal and also local level, especially in bigger municipalities. In recent years, there were several initiatives, which were largely proposed from international community in order to strengthen inter-ethnic cooperation of different citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina and to strengthen cooperation among various political groups. The paper is evaluating to what level are different strategies towards civic society in Bosnia and Herzegovina, successful and what are the main obstacles for strengthening the cooperation among various ethnic groups.

Consumer protection is intrinsically linked to civic participation and the effectiveness of local governance. In contexts marked by low literacy levels, limited digitalisation, and scarce institutional presence, information asymmetry emerges as a structural market failure that undermines both fairness and efficiency in consumer relations. This is particularly evident in peripheral municipalities such as Mosteiros, Cabo Verde, where consumers are highly exposed to abusive commercial practices and lack accessible mechanisms of redress.
This paper draws on economic and legal theories of market failure, with particular reference to Weimer and Vining’s typology of public policy instruments, to analyse the role of local public administration in correcting informational inequalities. Methodologically, the research combines a critical review of the literature with an empirical survey administered to the population of Mosteiros municipality, enabling the identification of consumer needs and perceptions regarding institutional support.
The results reveal a worrying scenario: a significant proportion of consumers are unaware of their rights, do not recognise existing support organisations, and often face unresolved disputes with suppliers. At the same time, there is strong receptiveness to the creation of a municipal service dedicated to consumer support, rooted in proximity and trust. Based on these findings, the study proposes the establishment of a Municipal Consumer Information and Support Service (SMIAC), modelled after the portuguese experience of Centros de Informação Autárquica ao Consumidor. The SMIAC is conceived as a local institutional innovation, capable of improving consumer literacy, enhancing civic participation, and providing an accessible mechanism for conflict resolution.
The contribution of this research is twofold. Theoretically, it demonstrates how information asymmetry, as a market failure, justifies the intervention of local public administrations through tailored instruments of public policy. Practically, it illustrates how municipalities, even with limited resources, can act as pivotal agents in advancing economic justice, protecting vulnerable consumers, and contributing to the achievement of SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions).
By situating consumer protection within the broader framework of civic participation in local governance, the paper highlights the potential of municipalities to transform structural market weaknesses into opportunities for empowerment, inclusion, and institutional trust.

In recent years, the European Union has seen a growing emphasis on diversity, inclusion, and civic engagement. Yet, despite this normative push, local public administrations across small and mid-sized European cities—especially those in border regions—often fail to meaningfully integrate young migrants into their civic and decision-making processes. This paper reflects on the lived experience of a young international student and Erasmus participant from Brazil, who has resided in countries like Portugal, Italy, Turkey, and Romania, observing firsthand the varying degrees of inclusivity in local governance.
Drawing from these observations, the paper argues that inclusion policies at the local level remain insufficiently developed and poorly adapted to the realities of mobile youth. Although higher education institutions promote mobility and cultural exchange, local governments often overlook the presence and potential contributions of international students and migrant residents. Issues such as language barriers, lack of information about local participatory mechanisms, and limited recognition of migrant voices persist.
The analysis places particular emphasis on cities located near or within border areas, where diversity is rising due to educational and economic migration, but where civic inclusion is still limited to native residents. These municipalities miss opportunities to foster social cohesion and mutual understanding, especially in a time when European identity is both challenged and redefined by migration.
By highlighting the disconnect between European values and local administrative practices, the paper calls for a more integrated and inclusive approach to civic participation—one that actively involves migrants and international residents in shaping local policies. The study concludes with recommendations for improving communication channels, promoting multilingual information campaigns, and establishing youth advisory councils that include migrant voices.
This contribution aims to shed light on a largely overlooked but critical aspect of diversity and inclusion in public innovation at the local level.

Linguistic diversity represents a vital yet frequently overlooked dimension of territorial development, particularly in low-density regions where cultural identity and cohesion are key to resilience. This article examines the strategic role of minority and traditional languages as endogenous assets for sustainable place-based development. Through the lens of cultural sustainability, the study investigates how language-oriented interventions can promote inclusive growth, local community empowerment and local territorial innovation, aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Methodology is grounded in a qualitative and exploratory framework, based on a thematic review of academic literature. The research approach is interpretative and place-sensitive, acknowledging the unique socio-political and demographic contexts that shape linguistic vitality.
An inductive thematic analysis enabled the identification of recurring practices across territories, further structured into five strategic categories: (1) Education and Language Transmission; (2) Public Visibility and Symbolic Use; (3) Cultural Expression and Tourism Integration; (4) Institutional and Legal Policies; and (5) Community Engagement and Cultural Resistance. Practices include bilingual education initiatives, signage in minority languages, storytelling-led tourism, language-inclusive festivals, and grassroots heritage campaigns. These were catalogued into a synthesis table to aid comparability, featuring descriptions and locations.
The study contributes theoretically by bridging concepts of cultural and symbolic capital cultural economics, social innovation and place-based policy. Minority languages are reframed as intangible infrastructures capable of shaping inclusive development when actively supported through local public policy and community-led action. On a practical level, the article offers recommendations for integrated and multisectoral public policies that embed minority languages into strategies for education, tourism, heritage and social innovation. It argues that the revalorisation of these languages contributes to stronger, more participatory and culturally resilient territories. Ultimately, the findings emphasise that linguistic diversity is not merely an object of preservation but a catalyst for transformation, one that must be meaningfully integrated into contemporary visions for territorial futures.

In 2006, the “Diversity Charter” was launched in Germany, only two years later, in 2008 it was signed by Lower Saxony, thereby becoming an “early mover” within Germany’s public sector. One of Lower Saxony’s objectives was the intercultural opening of public administration, as there was a huge gap between the proportion of people with migration background living in Lower Saxony and the proportion of people with migration background working in Lower Saxony’s public sector. While the first group added up to 25 %, the second group contained only 8 %. To overcome this gap and make Lower Saxony’s public sector more diverse and inclusive, a project pursuing the intercultural opening of Lower Saxony’s public administration was started in 2012. Measures included culturally sensitive recruitment procedures, trainings on intercultural competence and diversity for all employees and especially managers as well as support for staff with migration background. The author of this paper supported the project by conducting intercultural awareness trainings for different departments within the public administration. By 2024 the proportion of employees with migration background was increased to 16 %, which is a huge step forward compared with 8 % in 2012, but still less than the quota of people with migration background in Lower Saxony’s population, which added up to 30 % in 2024.
Taking the intercultural opening of Lower Saxony’s public administration as an example, this paper will discuss strategies and objectives as well as responding measures and (desired as well as undesired) outcomes of intercultural opening projects – and the challenges that an evaluation of these provides.