A sustainable model for small towns and peripheral communities: converging elements and qualitative analysis

Abstract The paper’s conceptual framework is the United Nations Agenda 2030 and the long-term Sustainable Development Goals. Scientific work on environmental issues has underlined the urgency and profoundness of the transformations needed to achieve the COP21 global warming thresholds in the short time left. Despite the systemic character of sustainability, most suggested innovation policies do not consider the advantages of an integrated view of environmental and social issues. The paper explores this possibility by analysing the chances of minor centres (small towns and peripheral communities) to combine these challenges in sustainable development models. Transformative innovation steps inspired by the responsible innovation approach are vital instruments to reach that goal. The paper’s conjecture about the minor centres is supported by analysing three main courses in the sustainability route: the conversion to renewable energy, the circular economy, and the digitalisation process. The analysis offers innovation hints for the responsible development of plans such as the Next Generation EU, launched to support Europe’s economic revival in the post-pandemic phase