Fondazione Santagata – commissioned by the Municipality of Arvier (AO) and in collaboration with Netural Coop – Social Enterprise – is developing two key initiatives within the project Agile Arvier – The Culture of Change, funded by the PNRR and supported by the European Union – Next Generation EU.

The proposed activities, “Open School for Village Hosts” and “Residencies for Social Innovators”, are part of the EducationLAB component of the project, which aims to foster a culture of inclusive, lifelong learning focused on innovation and linked to the green and digital transitions.

Context

The Agile Arvier – The Culture of Change project aims to support the mountain community in facing environmental, social, cultural, and economic challenges with both local and EUSALP-wide impact. The project promotes a culture of continuous and inclusive education among the residents of Arvier and Leverogne, while also making these villages more attractive to tourists and researchers.

Fondazione Santagata and Netural Coop are working in synergy with the Municipality of Arvier to provide innovative educational methods and integrate advanced technologies into learning processes through the two core activities: Open School for Village Hosts and Residencies for Social Innovators.

Objectives

Open School for Village Hosts
This training program targets young adults (ages 18–35) and aims to develop a new professional figure — the Village Host — capable of identifying work opportunities in Italy’s inner areas by applying community engagement methods and analyzing local needs and resources.

Residencies for Social Innovators
This residency program promotes the exchange of experiences and best practices among individuals working on projects in social, cultural, tourism, economic, and sustainable innovation. It focuses on both local and EUSALP mountain areas, aiming to generate new growth and sustainable development opportunities.

Expected Outcomes / Impact

Open School for Village Hosts

  • Train innovative professionals who can identify community needs, build networks on a national and European scale, and develop projects that support the local economy and essential services in mountain communities.

Residencies for Social Innovators

  • Connect Arvier with national and European professionals and researchers focused on solutions to the environmental and social challenges faced by mountain areas.

  • Expand the range of services and informal learning opportunities available to the local population.

Partner

Netural Società Cooperativa A.R.L. – Social Enterprise