Argentina
Argentina–Why this Project Matters
Argentina is one of the leading countries in urban concentration, with 92% of its population living in cities. This rapid urbanization has led to the decline of many rural communities, facing significant challenges due to talent loss, weak social cohesion, and deteriorating property conditions. However, rural areas in Argentina holds countless opportunities for growth and revitalization. With strong backing from the Swiss government through its embassy in Argentina and local authorities, we selected this country as our pilot.
Pilot Project in Colonia Belgrano (2016–2019)
In Argentina, our foundation piloted the “Welcome to My Village” model in a village facing depopulation since decades. In Colonia Belgrano, the program was successfully implemented between 2016 and 2019, transforming a rural town of just over 1,000 residents. The program has proven to be a catalyst for social, economic, and local development, revitalizing the community and providing a replicable framework for sustainable rural growth.
We identified 25+ business opportunities beyond agriculture, creating jobs for youth. With government support, we improved infrastructure, tackling power outages and connectivity issues. Over two years, we provided education and mentorship to local entrepreneurs, and newcomers matching opportunities identified within our model, resulting in growth and new residents. Additionally, the visibility generated by ES VICIS through over 450 media appearances raised significant public interest and fostered engagement with political and governmental authorities at various levels.
These impressive results raised national awareness, leading the Argentine government to address depopulation and urban overpopulation issues, resulting in new aids to enhance regional quality of life.
Project Results - Growth Metrics (2016-2019)
Population Growth
Increased from 1,284 to 1,420 (+10%)
New Non-Agricultural Businesses
Established 25 new businesses
Employment in Non-Agricultural Businesses
Increased by 27 jobs
Rented Houses
Increased from 4 to 27 (+575%)
New Homes Built (Private Financing)
Increased from 1 to 10 (+900%)
Plots Acquired for New Homes
Increased from 6 to 49 (+716%)
New Homes Built (Social Financing)
Increased from 6 to 25 (+316%)
New Constructions (Shops/Workshops)
Increased by 5
Scaling Up in Southern Santa Fe
Building on the success in Colonia Belgrano, ES VICIS expanded its model to five communities in the Southern Santa Fe region, home to a total of 10,000 residents, fostering growth through public-private collaboration and its ‘Welcome, Work, Home’ framework. Key outcomes include:
Revitalization Phases (1-3): Five Villages, 10,000 Residents.
Revitalization Results (2023-2024)
- Resident Commitment: 15% of households engaged in assessments, and 150 individuals took part in revitalization actions.
- Economic Development: Identified 147 economic opportunities; trained 50 entrepreneurs in business, marketing, and finance; and mentored seven projects, with support for two standout initiatives by the Alimentaris Foundation.
- Youth Programs: Partnered with Junior Achievement to deliver coding, career planning, and finance workshops, benefiting 30 rural youth.
- Job Readiness: Conducted workshops with DESAB on job search strategies, reaching 27 participants, mainly secondary school students.
- Entrepreneur Support: Collaborated with La Segunda Seguros, connecting local entrepreneurs to cooperative business initiatives.
Repopulation Phases (4-5): Three Villages, 5,000 Residents.
Repopulation Results (Nov. 2024)
We launched a program across three villages to draw urban families, offering relocation support and helping newcomers integrate into local communities. At this stage, families are in the process of settling in, starting new businesses, and relocating to rented homes.
- Over 2,000 applications were received from across the country.
- 130 profiles pre-selected for further evaluation, after conducting individual analysis.
- 50 individuals continued the process with informational session.
- 20 families, including 2 medical doctors and their families, were selected after individual interviews and further evaluations and are now moving forward with the relocation process.
Future Goals in Argentina
Since 2016, we have been actively working in Argentina, a country where we have identified significant opportunities for impactful initiatives. As a leader in community revitalization and repopulation, our program has garnered applications from over 70 communities in Santa Fe Province—where the pilot is based—and 200 nationwide. With numerous projects in the pipeline, we are focused on revitalizing provinces experiencing population decline and unlocking their potential for sustainable development and long-term growth.
In our ongoing scaling project in the Sur de Santa Fe region, we are closely monitoring 50 local entrepreneurs across three villages as part of Phase 5, while expanding to include one additional village. This expansion will add 8–10 entrepreneurs, bringing the total to nearly 60 participants—most of them women—who will receive comprehensive training, mentoring, and business loans. Additionally, this phase supports the relocation of newcomers to these four villages through tailored incentives, ensuring the effective implementation of the three pillars of sustainable relocation: business mentoring, integration through school programs, and community engagement.
Phase 5 is pivotal in building a sustainable future for these communities by enhancing digital connectivity, promoting digitalization, fostering inclusive education, and increasing housing availability. Final project assessments are scheduled for Phase 6, with the program expected to conclude by the end of 2025.
Financing Projects in Argentina
Our funding model thrives on cross-sector collaboration, with local partners self-financing their activities, which ensures highly efficient budgets relative to our impactful outcomes. We seek funding to implement our six-phase project plan and to coordinate self-financed “plug-in” solutions contributed by local stakeholders—an integral component of our approach.
For the 2025 phases of the Santa Fe project, we have already secured investments from eleven local partners. Combined with Membership donations and grants from Swiss foundations, we have successfully covered 50% of the project’s funding needs. Our focus now is to raise the remaining 50% to ensure the project’s full implementation.
Beyond Santa Fe, we are actively advancing other initiatives across various regions in Argentina, all aimed at revitalizing rural communities and fostering sustainable development. These projects are in need of funding and present meaningful opportunities for impactful collaboration.
If you are interested in supporting the revitalization of rural communities in Argentina, we would be delighted to provide further details, including comprehensive project budgets. Please feel free to get in touch—we look forward to exploring how we can partner to create a lasting impact.