Another idea of being

On 23 and 24 January, the Authentic Villages of Italy Association is holding two days of meetings and activities focusing on cooperation as a means of developing inland areas. These events will be held in the Authentic Villages of Roseto Capo Spulico and San Lorenzo Bellizzi, where local communities are experimenting with innovative collaboration and participation models to address contemporary issues such as depopulation and the quality of life in small towns.

On the first day, 23 January, in Roseto Capo Spulico, the programme will begin in the afternoon with a screening of the documentary film Un'altra idea di stare (Another idea of being), which was made in the village and presented at last year's Venice Film Festival. This will be followed by a public meeting dedicated to combating depopulation, involving experts and institutional representatives, which will initiate a discussion on ideas and projects aimed at repopulating villages. The day will conclude in the historic centre with a convivial event open to the community, designed to encourage interaction and participation.

On 24 January, the activities will move to San Lorenzo Bellizzi. In the morning, there will be a guided trekking activity to learn about the village and its natural landscape, organised in collaboration with the Oltretimpe Outdoor Experience association. In the afternoon, a workshop on cooperation in inland areas will be held with the support of Legacoop. This workshop will explore tools and experiences that are useful for local development. The day will conclude with a community dinner, providing an informal opportunity to socialise and get to know one another.

This event provides a national space for discussion on participatory development dynamics, offering an opportunity to reflect on and discuss the role of cooperation in the future of villages and inland areas.