KiNESIS

26/08/2025

On the occasion of the meeting “Aree interne, Vescovi e Forum: cambiare prospettiva”, held at the Centro La Pace in Benevento with the participation of H.Em. Cardinal Matteo Zuppi and Bishops from 11 Italian Regions, the volume dedicated to the KiNESIS experience and devoted to the challenges and opportunities of inland areas involved in the project was formally presented to Archbishop Felice Accrocca, promoter of the initiative.

This symbolic act highlighted the importance of fostering dialogue between the Church, academia, civil society, and institutions to address depopulation, support local communities, and promote sustainable development strategies for the most fragile territories of our country.

Our gratitude goes to all the participants and organisers for creating such a valuable space for discussion and shared commitment.

12/07/2025

12/07/2025

The experience is now a book! Reviving Depopulating Areas through Social and Cultural Innovation.
Proud to share the results of a journey that involved 13 partners across 5 European countries — a journey made of challenges, learning, and meaningful collaboration.
👉 The KNowledgE alliance for Social Innovation in Shrinking villages (KiNESIS) project, co-funded by Erasmus+, was launched to tackle the demographic decline of rural and mountain areas in Europe. Youth migration, infrastructure decay, and the loss of local identity are just some of the urgent issues we faced.
In response, we created a network of European Living Labs — collaborative spaces where universities, students, SMEs, local authorities, and communities co-designed sustainable solutions, blending research, training, and social innovation.
Through internships, applied research, and participatory labs, KiNESIS bridged academic knowledge with real territorial needs, promoting youth entrepreneurship, social inclusion, and resilient local economies. We experimented with flexible teaching models, market-driven skills training, and long-term local strategies — all with one goal: bringing knowledge and opportunity back to marginal areas.
More than a project, KiNESIS created a knowledge ecosystem that strengthens social capital and provides a replicable model for regional regeneration policies in Europe.
🔗 Now available in the newly published volume KiNESIS experience. Thanks to all the incredible people who made this possible!

Università di Napoli L'Orientale, Erasmus Plus
Ruth Breeze, Elles Bulder 🟥, ND Kaag, Andrea Heilmann, Jacomien Kooiker, Audrone Urmanaviciene, Bettina Bock, Luigi Famiglietti, Benedetta Bovenzi, Sabrina Pisano, LUDOVICO CALO', Salvatore Stanco, Bruno Frangipani, Giuseppe De Nicola, Igor Scognamiglio, Giuseppe Lucio Gaeta, Ute Urban, Triin Kubar, Charlotte Hidding, Peter Meister-Broekema, Daniela Chavarría Devia, Raffaele Manna, Giulia Speranza, Antonio Pascucci, Benedetta Parenti, Chantal van der Sluis, Alice Steenkamp, Renate Coumou, Pilar Gerns, Ana Maria Fernandez Vallejo, Juan José Pons Izquierdo, Carmen Urpí Guèrcia, Ricardo Perez Merino, Bruno Frangipani, Paola Cascetta, Carmine Ciullo, PAOLO LOFFREDO

25/11/2024

Tomorrow, the results and impact of the KiNESIS project in the pilot area of the Ufita Valley (Italy) will be showcased!

Join us at the conference "Depopulation and Territorial Regeneration of Inner Areas," organized by CNR-ISMed Istituto di Studi sul Mediterraneo at the Università degli Studi di Salerno.

We are deeply grateful to the organizers for this opportunity to present how the project addressed the challenges faced by rural and shrinking regions across Europe.

Stay tuned for insights into innovative strategies for revitalizing inner areas!

Università di Napoli L'Orientale

20/10/2024

🌍🎥 New Video Release: „The KiNESIS Experience“ by our Amazing Interns! 🎥🌍
We’re excited to share a brand new video showcasing the incredible journey of the interns involved in the KiNESIS project! 💡✨
From hands-on internships to real-world problem solving in rural areas, our interns have been at the heart of innovative projects across Europe. Watch the video to see how they’ve contributed to tackling depopulation, promoting cultural heritage, and creating lasting impact in local communities! 🌿🏞️

👀 Don’t miss out—get inspired by their stories, experiences, and achievements. Check out „The KiNESIS Experience“ now! 📽️

🔗 https://youtu.be/GP69UlXZ4tw



Università di Napoli L’Orientale Hochschule Harz Stichting Group for European Development Hanze University of Applied Sciences, Groningen
Tallinn University Social Entrepreneurship MA program Universidad de Navarra @

20/10/2024

🌍🎥 New Video Release: "The KiNESIS Experience" by our Amazing Interns! 🎥🌍
We're excited to share a brand new video showcasing the incredible journey of the interns involved in the KiNESIS project! 💡✨
From hands-on internships to real-world problem solving in rural areas, our interns have been at the heart of innovative projects across Europe. Watch the video to see how they've contributed to tackling depopulation, promoting cultural heritage, and creating lasting impact in local communities! 🌿🏞️

👀 Don't miss out—get inspired by their stories, experiences, and achievements. Check out "The KiNESIS Experience" now! 📽️

🔗 https://youtu.be/GP69UlXZ4tw



Università di Napoli L'Orientale Hochschule Harz Stichting Group for European Development Hanze University of Applied Sciences, Groningen
Tallinn University Social Entrepreneurship MA program Universidad de Navarra @

27/06/2024

📢 Fieldwork in Northern Netherlands 🇳🇱

🔹KiNESIS interns Alba Zabalza and Anna Breeze recently went on a road trip around Northern Netherlands with ex-KiNESIS intern Chantal van der Sluis. Thank you, Chantal! 😀👏

🔹This experience offered valuable insight that helped reinforce their understanding of the Holwerd aan Zee project that they are collaborating on.

🔹📸 The photos show De Kiekkaste in Drieborg, Fraeylemaborg, and the bridge at Fort Bourtange.

24/06/2024

ℹ️Exploring sustainable tourism on the Via Romea Germanica

KiNESIS interns Zaira González and Adriana Zaratiegui from the University of Navarra 🇪🇦 have spent the last month investigating sustainable tourism in the Harz area of Germany 🇩🇪, under the supervision of Professor Ute Urban and Professor Andrea Heilmann.

One of the features of the Harz area is the Via Romea Germanica - which has a lot in common with the Camino de Santiago.👣😀