Trial Living in Rural Areas: Reflecting the Role of Persuasive Regional Development in Counteracting Local and Regional Depopulation

This paper examines the rise of ‘trial living’ initiatives in rural Germany and Austria and their role in counteracting local and regional depopulation, drawing on five qualitative case studies. By investigating the objectives and actors behind these initiatives, the expected and actual outcomes, and potential novel aspects compared to traditional persuasive approaches, the research reflects on these emerging forms of intervention in addressing depopulation. I find that trial living often adopts a holistic design, combining temporary housing, work infrastructures and curated social integration, while not only aiming at immediate in‐migration but also at generating networks, ideas and visibility that may translate into longer‐term place attractiveness. Not all initiatives identified attracting trial residents who would, in the long run, become permanent residents as either an objective or a realistic expectation. Nevertheless, collaborative efforts to engage (temporary) newcomers in addressing local and regional spatial challenges, as well as reflections on arrival in rural areas, were central elements in most initiatives. Trial living therefore may represent a new form of persuasive regional development that fosters collaborative reflection on spatial challenges and opportunities beyond mere place promotion. In general, approaches vary according to objectives and context and depend on organisational capacities, including factors such as the openness of local stakeholders and the alignment of expectations. Trial living initiatives can help regions address challenges arising from depopulation, but they are not effective as stand‐alone measures and must be combined with broader structural, financial and developmental efforts. Core elements such as participation and social inclusion remain important for addressing spatial demographic challenges.