Imagining Vibrant Rural-Mountain Futures: A Field-Tested Toolkit of 25 Co-Creative Methods

The VERVE Toolkit introduces 25 creative methods designed to ignite dialogue, encourage critical thinking, and cultivate practical skills for transformative change in rural-mountain regions. These biodiverse areas, often at the forefront of innovative regenerative solutions, face unique challenges such as isolation, limited institutional support, and socio-economic decline. Centered on five priorities – youth, women, non-human beings, biocultural diversity, and creative practices – the Toolkit promotes community-driven approaches that honor local knowledge and inspire the co-creation of hopeful futures. It supports professionals across disciplines who are interested in participatory and inclusive processes for shaping regenerative, future-ready communities. Rooted in leading-edge research on future thinking, place-based sustainability, and ecological justice, the methods draw on frameworks like Theory U and Appreciative Inquiry. Supplementary materials offer comprehensive support to facilitate practical application in real-world contexts.