• El Hueco and the "National Network of Welcoming Villages" (RNPA) have joined forces to propose projects that rethink rurality and attract new residents.
• The projects are framed within the category of art and culture

Social innovation is proposed as a formula for rethinking the modus operandi of living in villages and attracting new residents. This premise is the basis of G100 , a co-creation group composed of 50 women and 50 men. The project is promoted by El Hueco , a collective based in Soria that promotes social innovation as a tool to correct demographic imbalances in rural Spain.

In its new edition, the G100 participates in “Terris” (Territories and Social Innovation), a project –funded by the Ministry for Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge- available to the “National Network of Welcoming Villages” (RNPA) , whose purpose is to revitalize the villages of the RNPA, through multidisciplinary artistic interventions and residencies, thus forming a network of villages differentiated by having artistic production centers that enrich them.

Thus, on May 23rd, two cultural projects were presented in Madrid, offering a new perspective on transhumance and artist residencies. Alongside these projects, the latest developments from the Network of Welcoming Villages were also presented, along with a discussion of the work process and methodology followed by the G100.

“Seven Towns for Seven Arts” Project

This is an annual thematic program of artistic residencies, distributed in 7 towns of the RNPA around

Seven different art disciplines. For two months, the artists live in each of the villages, supported by the project, co-creating a work with the local community. In addition to the program of local activities, they work on a joint exhibition with the other six villages. The final exhibition is exhibited on a traveling basis in each of the participating villages. The artist residencies are complemented by a mentoring program, supporting the visibility of their works, networking with other artists and organizations of interest, and providing a support and advisory platform.

Regarding its implementation, the project aims to be established in seven municipalities in the RNPA (National Park of the Region of Navarre) that meet minimum housing or other habitability requirements to accommodate artists, a space suitable for the artist's work, and accessible minimum services (sanitary facilities, commerce, etc.). Initially planned for the following municipalities are Sigüenza, Vegadeo, Huete, Ventosa, Villatuerta, Policar, and a seventh, yet to be determined.

The project was launched with a total budget of 210,000 euros, of which 30,000 euros correspond to each of the participating towns.

“Herd of Artists - Transhumance of Artists” Project

The project consists of collecting and recording all artistic expressions related to transhumance throughout Spain, with a particular emphasis on the border area with Portugal, in order to subsequently reinterpret them and generate new works by both new and established artists that are accessible to the different participating communities and environments.

The goal is to highlight the value of people involved in any livestock activity, with a special focus on other perspectives, such as that of women involved in this field.

In this case, the project targets individuals and town councils in towns with cattle trails and transhumant routes.

The project was launched with a financial viability of approximately €234,000, to be implemented over 18 months.