The challenges faced by inland villages illustrate the techno-social relationship by which information systems can be means of agency in addressing societal challenges. This paper follows the progression and effects of a relocation project using a marketplace platform over the sixteen-year period from its induction to the present day through a longitudinal process study. By analysing the narrative with the help of the push-pull-mooring framework, as well as structure and agency theory, actor-basedbarriers to adoption can be identified. Our research highlights the importance of considering mooring factors to optimise adoption of information systems. It was further found that the co-evolving of technological and social systems led to the marketplace platform becoming a driver of agency. The findings expand the understanding of data literacy and agency in social-technology interaction, especially regarding exploring how information systems and technology can be used to address societal challenges. This study further contributes to the emerging concept of rural living labs (RLL).