Resilience on the margins: How peripheral communities adapt to economic crises and industrial shut-down

By examining the case of former mink farmers in Denmark, the study sheds light on the often-overlooked social and emotional dimensions of resilience, emphasising how everyday practices, community networks, and regional structures shape adaptation in times of uncertainty.

Resilience beyond macro-economic indicators

Traditional research on regional economic resilience tends to focus on GDP growth, employment rates, or industrial restructuring. However, Dzalbe’s study argues that these indicators fail to capture how individuals and communities actually navigate and cope with economic crises in their daily lives.
 
"If you only look at numbers like GDP growth or job statistics, you treat crises just as observable and not experienced," Dzalbe explains. "These farmers weren’t just rebuilding their finances—they were trying to restore a sense of purpose, routine, and connection to their communities."

Her work shows the often invisible everyday practices that help people not only cope with economic crises but also overcome geographical marginalisation.

These farmers weren’t just rebuilding their finances—they were trying to restore a sense of purpose, routine, and connection to their communities.

By studying how a rural industry’s collapse rippled through the lives of those who depended on it, the thesis highlights the importance of informal strategies—such as community support networks and ingrained daily routines—in shaping livelihoods in peripheral regions.

The role of social networks in crisis adaptation

One of the thesis's key findings is the importance of cross-scalar networks—connections that go beyond local communities and extend into regional and national spheres. These networks are essential for offering support, providing access to information, and ensuring stability during times of crisis. They also serve as a platform for individuals to voice their needs in political and economic centres where decisions are made.

In the case of the Danish mink industry, farmers initially leaned on these networks to navigate the volatile nature of the industry and geographical peripheralization. However, when the industry collapsed, many found themselves disconnected, highlighting a broader challenge for workers in vulnerable sectors: when professional identities disappear, so do the social infrastructures that sustain them.

This pattern extends far beyond mink farming. Across Europe and beyond, industries that no longer align with sustainability goals or shifting economic priorities—such as coal mining in Poland, oil and gas production in the North Sea, and intensive fishing—face similar struggles. The study underscores that financial compensation alone is rarely enough for communities undergoing such transitions; the loss of identity, structure, and place-based knowledge creates long-term challenges that require broader policy responses.

Lessons for future crisis management

Dzalbe’s research highlights the need for resilience strategies that extend beyond financial aid and consider the social dimensions of economic adaptation. Her findings suggest that policymakers must take into account how crises affect everyday life at a micro-level, from the erosion of professional identities to the fragmentation of rural communities.

"When considering regional economic resilience, it is crucial to focus not only on economic production but also on maintaining and improving access to public services. These aspects of social reproduction are equally vital for strengthening the resilience of regional economies."

Therefore, resilience is not just about macro-economic output but also about the everyday, often invisible labour that sustains households, communities, and local economies. This includes what researchers call social reproduction—the unpaid or undervalued activities that keep societies functioning, such as caregiving, education, and access to local services. Beyond policy measures and economic structures, resilience in geographically peripheral regions is deeply embedded in social reproduction, cross-scalar networks, everyday familiarity, and the rhythms of socio-natural life.

Resilience in a changing world

As industries worldwide undergo transformations driven by sustainability policies, economic and political instability and technological shifts, Echoes of Resilience raises critical questions about how societies manage economic transitions. Is economic recovery solely about financial regeneration, or must we also invest in the social infrastructures that enable long-term adaptation?

Resilience isn’t just about economic output—it’s about the people who must rebuild their lives after the crisis has passed.

Dzalbe’s research challenges traditional notions of resilience and calls for a more human-centred approach to economic policy. While financial aid is a crucial part of crisis recovery, it is not enough on its own. Effective resilience strategies must integrate investments in public services, support for community networks, and policies that maintain social cohesion in peripheral regions.

"Resilience isn’t just about economic output—it’s about the people who must rebuild their lives after the crisis has passed. If we fail to recognise resilience as a deeply social issue, we risk leaving entire communities behind," she concludes.