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Urban Families Explore Opportunities in Maggiolo
On November 23, Maggiolo opened its doors to urban families, showcasing its rich history, vibrant community, and promising potential. Residents greeted them with warmth and joy. Saturday, November 23, was a day of connection and hope for Maggiolo. Families from nearby urban areas visited this small town, which has been facing population decline, to discover its charm, community, and opportunities for a fresh start. The locals welcomed them with open arms, offering tours of the town’s institutions and highlighting its unique activities. This visit went beyond a simple introduction—it marked a significant step toward bridging the rural-urban divide and envisioning new possibilities for revitalization. Welcome to My Village continues to transform dreams into reality, fostering connections and inspiring change. A heartfelt thank you to everyone who contributed to making this event a success. Discover the participants’ stories and watch the highlights here:

‘Welcome to My Village’ Takes Root in South Africa: A Strategic Pledge with the Swiss Embassy
In 2024, the ES VICIS Foundation took significant steps to introduce the “Welcome to My Village” program to South Africa, focusing on partnerships and collaboration with key stakeholders. This journey culminated in a historic pledge of commitment, marking a milestone in revitalizing rural communities in the Eastern Cape. On August 23, 2024, a signing ceremony was held in partnership with Reimagine SA, with key figures from the Eastern Cape House of Traditional Leaders, the Embassy of Switzerland in South Africa, and other partners endorsing the pledge. On 23, August, 2024, ES VICIS Foundation, in partnership with Reimagine SA, hosted a momentous signing ceremony for the “Welcome to My Village” pledge. The pledge was endorsed by four parties: Chief Mpumalanga Gwadiso, Chairperson, Representing the Eastern Cape House of Traditional and Khoisan Leaders. H.E. Ambassador Mirko Manzoni, Representing the Embassy of Switzerland in South Africa. Johannes Matyassy, Board President, Representing ES VICIS Foundation. Thando S. Gobe, Chairman, Representing Reimagine SA. The pledge represents a unified commitment to the “Welcome to My Village” program, facilitated through Reimagine SA’s Letsema Process. Together, we aim to: Create thriving rural communities in the Eastern Cape by promoting sustainable migration from urban to rural areas. Address critical issues like depopulation and economic decline by leveraging technology, fostering entrepreneurship, and enhancing local infrastructure. Support newcomers with housing, employment opportunities, and cultural integration to ensure a seamless transition into village life. Johannes Matyassy, President of the Board of ES VICIS Foundation, reflected on the program’s evolution: “In 2014, as the Swiss Ambassador to Argentina, I supported this groundbreaking model that challenges global trends. We achieved remarkable results in Argentina, a country with 92% of its population in urban areas. After successfully expanding the model there, we are now ready to bring our mission to South Africa.” The “Welcome to My Village” initiative is grounded in years of experience and a proven track record of revitalizing rural communities. Cintia Jaime, Co-Founder of ES VICIS Foundation, expressed her excitement about this next chapter: “We have shown that it is possible to repopulate and revitalize villages facing depopulation, defying global trends. Today, we are thrilled to sign this pledge to implement the program in Eastern Cape, South Africa—a region heavily impacted by urban migration. With Reimagine SA, the support of the Swiss Embassy in South Africa, and the Eastern Cape House of Traditional Leaders, we invite you to join us in this impactful journey!” Reimagine SA has been instrumental in forging partnerships and aligning efforts to bring the “Welcome to My Village” model to South Africa. Luvuyo Madasa, Executive Director of Reimagine SA, highlighted the potential of this collaboration: “We are thrilled about the opportunity to bring the ‘Welcome to My Village’ model and our partnership with ES VICIS Foundation to South Africa. Our work in the Northwest has helped us build a strong relationship with the Eastern Cape House of Traditional Leaders. This model offers an exciting opportunity to align existing programs and partners in a structured way, ensuring meaningful impact for communities that need it most.” Dr. Mamphela Ramphele, Founder of Reimagine SA, celebrated the generational effort driving this initiative: “Thank you for bringing this wonderful opportunity and for figuring out the alignments and partnerships. I hand over to you and your generation. Thank you.”

From Video Games to Food Trucks: Training and Awarding Entrepreneurs
As part of its Welcome to My Village and I Start My Business in My Village programs, the ES VICIS Foundation provided specialized entrepreneurial development training to over 50 entrepreneurs from Maggiolo, Labordeboy, and Carmen, three small towns in southern Santa Fe. This initiative concluded with an award ceremony recognizing the best projects, supported by the Alimentaris-Argentina Foundation. The program included training on business models, project development, and four one-on-one mentorship sessions with entrepreneurs whose businesses demonstrated exceptional scalability and community impact. The process culminated in a final project presentation, or ‘Pitch,’ as it’s commonly known in the entrepreneurial world. A panel of judges, comprising members from ES VICIS and Alimentaris-Argentina, evaluated the presentations. Winners: 1st Place: Sabor Callejero A family-run venture based in Carmen (population 2,000), Santa Fe. The Paulina family operates a food truck that offers fast, healthy meals at social and sports events within a 200 km radius. They collaborate closely with local suppliers, not only sourcing ingredients but also providing support and training to help them develop new products. Since its launch in 2018, the business has served over 12,700 customers at 208 events, generating family income while stimulating the local economy. Instagram: sabor.callejero2018 2nd Place: Synkronic Labs Founded by Natasha Dubrowsky, a young entrepreneur from Labordeboy (population 900), Synkronic Labs seeks to revolutionize education in Argentina through interactive video games that promote fast and engaging learning for children. Currently, Natasha is developing an educational video game featuring a protagonist with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), aiming to foster inclusion and adaptability in learning. Instagram: @Synkronic.Labs 3rd Place: Evolution Fitness Benjamin Spadoni and his girlfriend relocated from Rosario to Labordeboy a year ago to open a gym that has transformed the town’s lifestyle. Their initiative has inspired residents to adopt healthier, more active routines and has become a social hub, attracting individuals of all ages and socioeconomic backgrounds. Instagram: @evolutionfitnesslb_ Other Pitch Participants: La Roca (Maggiolo, population 2,000) Juan Escudero, a long-time construction professional in Maggiolo, recently began producing and selling anti-humidity panels for walls and floors, providing a local and affordable solution to common regional moisture issues. La Grange Hardware Store (Maggiolo) Brian Savino’s venture aims to modernize access to hardware products through both a virtual and physical store, offering electronic payment options and an updated catalog for local institutions and businesses. Within three months of launching, the store now offers 300 products and has expanded sales to other towns and provinces. Instagram: @lagrangeferreteria Environmental Management Labordeboy (Labordeboy) Yanina Campos and Paola Galván are committed to reducing, reusing, and recycling urban solid waste, fostering a cleaner and more sustainable environment in their community. In addition to operational tasks, they promote environmental awareness, with increasing local participation in waste separation efforts. Instagram: @recicladolabordeboy Media Coverage: Distinctions for Entrepreneurs from Carmen, Maggiolo, and Labordeboy From Video Games to Food Trucks: Training Entrepreneurs in Small Towns in Southern Santa Fe

Small Foundations: Cintia Jaime and Prof. Georg von Schnurbein at Basler Stiftungstag 2024
August 27, 2024. At the 2024 Basler Stiftungstag, Cintia Jaime, Co-Founder and Executive Manager of the ES VICIS Foundation, had the honor of co-leading Workshop Nr. 2: “Management Challenges for Small Foundations” alongside Prof. Georg von Schnurbein, Director of the Center for Philanthropy Studies. This engaging session explored the distinct challenges faced by small foundations—those managing assets below CHF 10 million or operating with annual budgets under CHF 1 million. The discussion provided practical, innovative solutions to promote growth, ensure sustainability, and enhance the long-term impact of these organizations. Understanding the Challenges Small foundations play a vital role in driving meaningful change at a local and global level. However, their limited resources often present hurdles, including: Building Recognition: New foundations may find that simply having a strong purpose does not guarantee visibility or support. Strategic communication is essential. Establishing Legitimacy: Partnering with trusted organizations and stakeholders helps validate the foundation’s mission and strengthen its impact. Managing Dependency: Heavy reliance on a few donors increases financial vulnerability, highlighting the need for diversified funding. Defining Positioning: Small foundations must differentiate themselves in a crowded philanthropic landscape to ensure long-term relevance. Engaging Board Members: Recruiting and retaining voluntary board members can be challenging. Clear communication, structured agendas, and consideration of compensation can improve board effectiveness. Balancing Responsibilities: Unlike larger organizations, small foundations often concentrate fundraising, management, and operational tasks within a single role, straining resources. Exploring Solutions Through the workshop, several practical strategies emerged to help small foundations overcome these challenges: Flexibility: Remaining adaptable to new opportunities and changes in the external environment is key to staying resilient. Long-Term Planning: Succession planning for board members ensures continuity and stability. Identifying candidates early allows for smoother transitions. Peer Learning: Collaborating with other foundations provides valuable insights and shared experiences. Participation in associations and events fosters networking and mutual growth. Technological Support: Leveraging digital tools and support programs from tech companies can significantly enhance operational efficiency, often at reduced or no cost. ES VICIS Foundation’s Journey During the session, Cintia Jaime shared the journey of the ES VICIS Foundation, highlighting the challenges and innovative solutions that have shaped the organization’s evolution. From its inception, ES VICIS has focused on creating sustainable impact through collaboration, adaptability, and leveraging technology to amplify its mission. As the philanthropic landscape continues to evolve, small foundations have a unique opportunity to thrive by embracing innovation, building strong networks, and sharing knowledge. Together, we can strengthen the sector and empower communities worldwide.

A Doctor, a Village, and a New Life
Ignacio Pieckenstainer left the city of Rosario to take on a new challenge at Maggiolo’s hospital, thanks to the campaign led by Welcome to My Village. Today, his story inspires those dreaming of a fuller life in small villages. Thanks to the Welcome to My Village program, Ignacio Pieckenstainer found a unique opportunity: working at Maggiolo’s hospital, a town that welcomed him with open arms. After several visits and meetings, he was confirmed for the position and moved to Maggiolo. His story serves as a powerful example for those looking to leave the city behind in search of a more balanced life in rural communities. At ES VICIS Foundation, we strive to connect the needs of small towns with the talents and dedication of families and professionals from larger cities ready to embrace a new chapter. Learn more about his journey!

“Welcome to My Village” Highlights Achievements at FLACSO Seminar
At the seminar The Public in Question, ES VICIS showcased the progress of Welcome to My Village, emphasizing the innovative data collection and impact measurement matrix co-developed with FLACSO experts in local development and evaluation. On November 13, the Latin American Faculty of Social Sciences (FLACSO) hosted the seminar The Public in Question: Argentine Civil Society in Uncertain Times. During the event, Mercedes Manfroni, Coordinator of the ES VICIS Foundation and the Welcome to My Village program in Argentina, together with Alejandro Casalis, Academic Director of the Master’s Program in Public Policies for Development with Social Inclusion at FLACSO, delivered a presentation titled: “Welcome to My Village (ES VICIS): Methodology, Networks, and Partnerships for Local Development and the Sustainable Repopulation of Small Towns in Argentina (2016–2024).” The presentation explored how Welcome to My Village has revitalized rural communities by leveraging innovative strategies, fostering interinstitutional collaboration, and promoting citizen participation. A key focus was the partnership between ES VICIS and FLACSO Argentina to implement a cutting-edge data collection and impact evaluation matrix tailored to Welcome to My Village. This comprehensive tool encompasses 12 dimensions, 69 variables, 400 indicators, and 13 data collection instruments, providing robust insights into the program’s contributions to local development and sustainable repopulation efforts.