Digital Innovation and Rural Development in Spain's Maestrazgo and Gúdar-Javalambre Living Lab

This policy brief presents findings from a scenario planning workshop in the Maestrazgo and Gúdar-Javalambre Living Lab, Teruel, Spain, examining the impact of digitalisation and the 2030 Agenda on rural development by 2031. It explores four scenarios—Worse not worst, Better not best, Dystopia, and Utopia—focusing on the two most plausible to inform policy. Key recommendations include enhancing digital innovation, expanding digital skills training, especially for older adults, and improving connectivity to support remote work and services. The brief underscores the role of digital transformation in strengthening rural attractiveness and resilience, aligning with Spain’s Digital Agenda 2025 and Aragon’s recovery strategy. It was produced under the EU-funded DESIRA project, with contact available through Javier Sancho and Ruth Aguarod of SARGA.