Is the work of the ES VICIS Foundation seen as fulfilling responsibilities that should typically be handled by the government, or does it serve a different role?
- Many civil organizations are established to complement government efforts by addressing a wide range of social, medical, educational, environmental, economic, and human rights issues, while also incorporating advocacy actions to raise awareness. Our non-profit organization works closely with governments at local, regional, and national levels, as well as with the private sector.
- We secure support from both public and private sectors for our projects through strategic investments. This demonstrates that when rural communities are included in these investments, and the benefits are balanced to prevent continued migration to urban areas, these communities can be revitalized and become attractive to new inhabitants.
- Like many civil society organizations aiming to drive paradigm shifts, we also engage in advocacy to promote change, working to influence public policies and reshape societal narratives. Our foundation was established in the same year that the world shifted toward pro-urbanization with the adoption of the New Urban Agenda at the UN conference in Quito in 2016. This agenda limited investments in rural communities, reducing them to mere agricultural commodity producers, and failed to offer them the same opportunities as cities. This widely accepted view has influenced international policy decisions, contributing to the imbalance that has led to the social and economic challenges currently faced by urban-rural areas.
- Thus, our strategy, which involves both the government and other sectors, follows a dual approach, each with its own levels of impact and evaluation. On one hand, we implement concrete projects on the ground with their support, demonstrating that rural communities can thrive when they secure backing from both the public and private sectors through strategic investments. On the other hand, we advocate for the revitalization of these towns, proving that they can offer sustainable opportunities, while promoting an awareness strategy to reverse migration trends. In both approaches, we measure engagement and outcomes at both the political and social levels.
- Since 2016, in Argentina, we have driven public funding for projects in communities facing depopulation across various areas—education, healthcare, housing, and infrastructure. At a more advanced stage, we also secured public funding for local teams responsible for mapping regions affected by youth migration to urban areas with more than 10,000 inhabitants.
- Once we demonstrated how our model works in Argentina (and we plan to do the same in South Africa), we launched strategic campaigns in the media and on social networks to promote a shift in mindset that supports technological inclusion, connectivity, and accessible, smart infrastructure. This approach stimulates business growth beyond the agricultural sector (though without excluding it), enabling the production of urban goods and services from any community. In short, we are driving a paradigm shift, proving that entrepreneurship in rural areas, beyond traditional agribusiness, is entirely viable in the modern era. Additionally, we are actively working to influence national public policies to ensure that this shift becomes a sustainable and lasting reality.
- In South Africa, together with our partner Reimagine SA, we reached a preliminary agreement with the House of Traditional Leaders of Eastern Cape and the Swiss Embassy in Pretoria, with the Oliver Reginald Tambo District Municipality confirming their interest in the inhabitants’ data generated from engagements with the various participants in the pilot. This agreement aims to secure strong backing to access government funds and programs focused on education and infrastructure. Additionally, significant conversations have already progressed with various public institutions: (here I would mention the latest contacts- ).
- Eastern Cape Socio-Economic Consultative Council – a research institution working closely with the Eastern Cape Premier’s Office; and
- Eastern Cape Small Enterprise Development Agency – a public institution focused on delivering a variety of entrepreneur development and enterprise incubation programmes reporting to the Department of Trade and Industry, and the Department of Small Business Development.
Why does ES VICIS advocate for rural revitalization and repopulation instead of aligning with the growing urbanization paradigm?
- First, we are pleased to share that the push for urbanization is fortunately no longer a unanimous trend.
- While in 2016 there was a clear consensus in favor of pro-urbanization investments in rapidly growing cities, with frequent claims that their expansion was unstoppable and irreversible, the urban model was intensely questioned during the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite this, international policies have largely remained stagnant in defending the urbanization model. Today, however, some forward-thinking governments have begun to encourage a return to rural areas. These governments are promoting the revitalization of rural zones by leveraging technology, remote work, and other opportunities that the modern world offers to rural communities.
- In 2022, the World Economic Forum reported that governments in countries such as Japan, Portugal, Ireland, Italy, Australia, and the United States began offering incentives to decentralize their expanding cities, even paying urban residents to relocate to rural areas. https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2022/04/countries-paying-you-to-move-to-countryside/
- In Switzerland, our third focus country to test the model, the NRP (New Regional Policy) provides various supports to balance structurally weaker urban areas, with key initiatives that include industry and digitalization.
https://www.seco.admin.ch/seco/en/home/Standortfoerderung/Regional_Raumordnungspolitik/nrp.html - In this country, there are also initiatives to pay outsiders to move in, such as the Albinen or Zennegen in Valais (SwissCommunity), which has gained international attention. Switzerland is the third country we are exploring synergies with a wide range of organizations, including Mia Engadina and La Punt, which have the support of prominent figures like Norman Foster, to keep beautiful Alpine villages alive and vibrant.
- In 2024, we are at a pivotal moment of transition. While some countries continue to see urban investment as the sole solution to address the challenges of urbanization, initiatives like ours are championing a more inclusive approach that bridges the rural-urban divide and drives prosperity in rural communities. We’re no longer isolated in these efforts. The paradigm shift is gaining traction across sectors—public and private alike—, though we acknowledge the transformation to fulfill our mission will take time.
- On a personal level, the founders were directly involved in the ground-level efforts during the pro-urban investment boom. Cintia worked closely with the Swiss Ameropa Foundation (2008-2010) in one of the poorest areas of Greater Buenos Aires, striving to support 600 families who eked out a living by collecting and recycling waste, known as “Los Cartoneros de Itatí.” Despite an investment of nearly USD 150,000—funding schools, purchasing compactors, providing transportation, and constructing playgrounds—Cintia saw firsthand how futile these efforts were. Within two years, new waves of families arrived, building shanties on the playground. Drug gangs burned down the recycling warehouse, and children were forced to attend a fenced-in school, escorted by their parents because it was too dangerous to walk alone. This experience marked Cintia’s “aha moment,” and the question that emerged was stark: why continue investing in a failed model?
- Before establishing the foundation, Cintia conducted groundbreaking research at the University of Basel as part of her postgraduate studies, culminating in her thesis titled “Economic-Forced Rural-to-Urban Migration.” This study gathered heart-wrenching testimonies from families who had been forced into migration, not by choice, but by the closing of the factories where they had worked. In desperation, they left their homes, walking for days until reaching Buenos Aires, where they were taken in by other poor individuals scavenging garbage. When asked if they would ever leave the neighborhood, the overwhelming response was, “Where would we go? If I had the chance to live in my hometown or anywhere with work, I wouldn’t hesitate.” This was the second “aha moment”—people do not live where they want, but where they can. It became clear that the common assumption held by pro-urbanization advocates—that people migrate to cities out of desire—was fundamentally flawed. The real problem lay at its root: the lack of opportunities in rural areas.
- The problem must be addressed at its root. This firsthand experience, combined with corroborative studies on expulsion factors conducted by colleagues across Latin America, Asia, and Africa, formed the foundation for the founders’ mission. It drove them to give voice to the voiceless and create a program that challenges the prevailing narrative—one that defies the traditional urbanization model and pushes for a sustainable future where people can thrive in their rural communities.
- In South Africa, the momentum is similar to that of Argentina in 2016: public policies follow the global trend of pro-urbanization, against the wishes of many South Africans who are forced to move to cities for work, even though they long to return to their towns. At the heart of South African identity lies pride in their origins, their clan, and their community. This aspect is a unique strength that is not found in Argentina, where most people are of immigrant origin and lack a deep territorial attachment or clan, although they share the desire to live better outside of cities. In South Africa, in the region where we will work, many families maintain well-kept homes in their towns while living in difficult conditions in the city, dreaming of returning.
- We firmly believe that our model will help many families achieve that dream.
Why kicking off in South Africa or other countries when Argentina is still “not solved”?
- Argentina remains a key focus for our work, and we have observed emerging trends in the country’s urban population. The urban concentration rate has stabilized at 92%. Unlike other countries in the region and the global trend, Argentina has managed to curb the growth of urban concentration. However, it is still not possible to accurately measure the impact of migration to rural areas, as we need to wait for the results of the upcoming national census to evaluate the actual growth of these communities and the decline in migration to the cities.
- Although we cannot solely claim credit for the stabilization of the urban population percentage, we are aware of the influence we have had on this change. With over 450 media appearances, numerous discussions with public and private sector decision-makers, and the impact reflected in the formulation of several laws favoring decentralization, we have become catalysts for key discussions on sustainable repopulation in Argentina. Ten years after our first efforts, we are recognized as a reference in this field.
- The model we have developed in Argentina has proven effective in a short time, and it is flexible enough to adapt to different socio-economic and political contexts. After 10 years of work and many more years of academic studies and field experiences, both in Argentina and elsewhere, we are confident in its effectiveness. We have set forth an expansion strategy that demonstrates this versatility, aimed at contexts that, while they may seem different, share similar challenges. However, we cannot help but notice how the proliferation of new urban proposals, such as ‘smart cities’ or inclusive city models, are sometimes presented as universal solutions without a deep analysis of their real impact. Over the decades, we have witnessed how cities, despite the resources invested, have faced serious issues. What is already working to revitalize towns is often dismissed or questioned because of the diversity of contexts, when it should be an opportunity to learn and adapt. Even more so when the model is addressing the root cause of the problem.
- In Argentina, we continue to drive key advocacy activities and projects on the ground with public-private support. We do not expect to achieve the country’s macro goals on our own, so we will continue to promote the movement through advocacy, ensuring it has its own dynamics beyond our specific projects. We are convinced that awareness will spread widely and the results will be so evident that society as a whole will join this effort. We estimate that, in order to see substantial results in the urban-rural population balance, at least two decades will be needed.
- While Argentina has served as our pilot country, our mission is international in scope. We have shown that our model works even in challenging environments like Argentina, where urban concentration was once thought irreversible, and where inflation and currency volatility significantly impacted businesses and savings.
- Our international focus is broadening, and we are confident that applying the model across three continents and various contexts—analyzing both their similarities and differences—will reinforce its credibility and showcase its effectiveness. We have selected Switzerland in Europe and South Africa in Africa to further solidify our proposal and the growing international voice we have begun to establish.
- As part of this global strategy, we are establishing our presence on the international stage. After proving the model’s success, we have been actively participating in global debates for six years. We present our findings and achievements at universities and forums around the world. Some of our key interventions and academic engagements include:
- 2020- Ligthning Lab – Climat-KIC EU :Depopulate Cities – Showcase Speaker
- 2021 “Hackaton: Urban-Rural Development” at Open Geneva – UNITAR – -Panelists and Projects Jury
- 2022 BASEL PEACE FORUM Questioning Urbanization Trend – Panel of the Day 1
- 2022 Annual Conference, THE CLUB OF ROME – Panelists
- 2023 Academic Publication: Transformation of Urban–Rural Relationships in the Context of Global Challenges:
What are the hard figures and facts on the impact and achieved goals in Argentina?
- As a result of our dual strategy—combining advocacy with model demonstration through concrete projects—we have been able to measure impact across multiple dimensions. For each project, we assess not only its tangible success within the communities and regions we work in, but also its broader influence on social media, the press, and intersectoral discussions surrounding the issue. This includes evaluating the effect on proposed legislation, trends in urban growth, and how society has responded. Has urban concentration stabilized or reversed? Have new laws been enacted as a result?
- We will begin by sharing the impact of our awareness campaign, the social movements it has spurred, and the political interest generated through our advocacy efforts. Following this, we will present the outcomes of our pilot project (2016-2019) and its subsequent scaling (2021-2024).
Results Advocacy Argentina (2016-2024)
Impact Areas | Details and Key Metrics |
Media and Communication Impact | Media Coverage: Over 450 appearances in press, radio, and television in 8 years. Objective: Raise public awareness on the issue of migration and the revitalization of rural communities. |
C5N Argentina (2020): 15-minute segment with an estimated audience between 228,000 and 273,600 people. | |
BBC Mundo (2017): Report on the repopulation of the pilot town, with wide reach in Latin America: BBC Mundo. | |
Selection of other notable coverage: Highlights. | |
Civil Society and Social Media Impact | Pilot program enrollment: 20,000 families in just 4 weeks. |
Weekly average: 300 individuals organically signing up weekly through our website and social media. | |
Social media groups: | |
– “Migrar al Interior” (110,000 members). | |
– “Repoblando Lugares y Pueblos en Argentina” (75,000 members). | |
Impact: Creation of a social movement that supports the initiative and enhances its visibility. | |
Political Impact and Relationship with Public Sector | National Government (Argentina, 2020): Establishment of key dialogue with the Secretariat of Strategic Affairs, Ministry of Environment, and Ministry of Agriculture. Result: Call for projects to revitalize and repopulate communities with public investments. |
Province of Santa Fe: Agreements with the Undersecretary of Communes to implement the “Bienvenidos a Mi Pueblo” program locally. | |
Law Proposal (2021): Presentation in the National Congress to declare the repopulation program of the province as a matter of interest. | |
Legislative Impact and Parliamentary Consultations | Legislative proposals: Creation of laws inspired by the rural repopulation model to foster local development and rootedness. |
Objective: Transform public policies related to rural repopulation. |
Results Pilot Project– Argentina (2016-2019)
Impact Areas | Key Results and Metrics |
Population Growth | 10% population increase in Colonia Belgrano within one year, highlighting the success of revitalization efforts in attracting new residents. |
Local Entrepreneurship | 25 new businesses created (non-agricultural sectors such as textiles, design, digital work, electronic repairs, construction trades), boosting local employment by 15%. |
Increase in Income | Entrepreneurs experienced a 40% increase in income, contributing to local economic stability and growth. |
Real Estate Market | – 600% increase in rental prices. – 700% increase in land sales, showing the strong demand for housing due to revitalization and repopulation. |
New Infrastructure | – 25 new houses funded by the provincial government. – Installation of new electrical transformers to meet growing population demands. – Improved internet connectivity supporting entrepreneurial activities and local employment generation. |
Government Incentives | – Long-term housing loans. – Soft microcredit for local businesses. – Technical education programs (online and in-person). – Increased health budget and improvements in healthcare assistance. – Enhanced educational funding to support the growing child population, including new teachers and school assistants. |
Total Investment Pilot Project (2016-2019) | – Public Funds: USD 2.4 million (housing loans, business credits, health and education improvements, infrastructure improvements such as pavements and electricity). – Private Funds: USD 100,000 (connectivity and health, including private ambulance). – ES VICIS Foundation: USD 300,000. – Total Project Investment: USD 2.8 million. |
Results Scale-up Project Argentina– Ongoing (2022-2025)
Impact Areas | Key Results and Metrics |
Trained Team | 13 professionals from regional partners and communities participated in 15 training sessions, enabling the implementation of the program in 5 localities. |
Regional Mapping | 15% of households in towns with a population of 10,000 were surveyed, providing key data for local planning. |
Economic Opportunities | 147 economic development opportunities identified, focusing on youth, women, and entrepreneurs, fostering local economic growth. |
Local Volunteering | 40 volunteers participated in data collection and community support, an essential methodology for measuring local empowerment. |
Entrepreneurs Network – “Yo Emprendo en mi Pueblo” | 50 entrepreneurs |
Entrepreneurial Training | In 2023, 50 entrepreneurs were trained in business models and digital marketing, enhancing their capacity to develop local enterprises. |
Accessible Financing | In December 2023, 20 entrepreneurs attended a financial guarantees workshop organized by the Reciprocal Guarantees Society, improving their access to financing. |
Continuous Mentorship | In 2024, personalized mentorship programs were reinforced to optimize business performance and facilitate financing. |
Youth Retention and Growth Potential Youth Training in Partnership with Junior Achievement | A deep mapping study conducted in five towns (covering 20% of the 10,000 inhabitants) revealed that 60% of young people expressed a desire to either stay or return to their hometowns after completing their studies, provided they are not able to work remotely. |
Educational Programs | During 2023, 30 young people participated in workshops on programming, career planning, and personal finance, building critical skills for rural youth. |
Digital Expansion | In 2024, digital methodologies were improved at schools, allowing greater reach to rural youth, extending educational opportunities. |
Call for New Residents (2024) | |
National Call | Over 2,000 families and professionals applied to relocate to rural areas, with high demand for doctors, pharmacists, and companies implementing digitalization. |
Advocacy and Local Involvement Campaign | |
Project Financing Project Status | Total project cost: USD 2.2 million, including infrastructure. Deep mapping cost USD 150,000, entirely funded by public funds. Private funds from local foundations for education: USD 30,000. ES VICIS Foundation financed USD 220,000. Local communes contributed USD 10,000. Since Sep 2023, public funds for remaining stages are on hold due to political changes and relationships with Fonplata. Expectancy of initial project execution (15%). The budget was restructured in 2023, reducing total investments to USD 200,000 over 2 years to cover the repopulation phases. Revitalization stages (Phases 1-3) completed. 10 ‘000 benefited from new dynamisms. Repopulation stages (Phases 4-5) is in progress, Phase 4 completed, and Phase 5 has begun with families currently relocating to revitalized towns. New results expected in December 2024. |
What is the long-term retention rate of residents, particularly young people and students, in the communities? What measures are being taken to ensure they stay?
- Our goal is not to retain people in a rigid way, but to offer them the choice of where they want to live, without the city being the only attractive option. By creating environments that provide access to jobs, education, and services, we are building towns where young people stay not out of necessity, but because they see real opportunities for growth and development. Towns can and should be dynamic places where mobility is an option, but not a necessity. By fostering communities with better amenities, access to technology, and a vibrant social life, we make these places attractive, not just for the opportunities they provide, but for the well-being that comes with living in a natural, peaceful, and collaborative environment that encourages human interaction and personal development.
- The growth and dynamism of revitalized towns should be measured beyond population increases – we have recorded a 10% repopulation rate – but we must also ask: how many young people decide to stay? This dynamism and attractiveness can be seen in key indicators like the creation of new businesses and real estate activity. For instance, in the pilot project, we observed a 700% increase in new plots for housing construction (from 6 to 49 plots) and a 595% rise in rental properties (from 4 to 27 houses) over a period of three years. This reflects not only the repopulation rate but also the fact that young people have chosen to stay and build their homes in the town.
- Additionally, a deep mapping study conducted in five towns, with a sample representing 20% of the 10,000 inhabitants, revealed that 60% of young people wish to stay or return after completing their studies, as long as they cannot work remotely. This shows, on the one hand, that they are often forced to migrate to cities due to lack of opportunities in their towns, but on the other hand, it highlights the significant growth potential if we succeed in making these towns more attractive.
- In our foundation’s vision, our mission will be accomplished when every town becomes an attractive habitat, and each community knows and claims its right to receive the investments that promote their inclusion and livability, just as cities do. This is essential to enhance the attractiveness of rural areas and ensure their sustainable development. Currently, half of the world’s population lives in rural areas, but due to inadequate attention and investment, they are being forced to migrate to cities in search of better opportunities. Our work aims to change this reality, ensuring that rural towns and cities are equally valued in terms of importance and quality of life.
What are the current funding needs for the South Africa project, and who are the key investors supporting the initiative?
Our My Village model, consisting of 6 phases, is developed in 2 main stages: the first is Revitalization (phases 1-3), and the second is Sustainable Repopulation (phases 4-6).
- We have submitted a funding request to FCF to launch the first three phases of the Revitalization stage, which lasts 18 months. At the same time, we are identifying other funding sources for the next major stage, Sustainable Repopulation, which also spans 18 months. Thus, the entire project covers 36 months, encompassing all the necessary phases for both revitalization and repopulation.
- Below are the totals and subtotals of the OR Tambo-Eastern Cape Project:
- Revitalization Stage (Phases 1-3, 18 months): CHF 365,000
- Repopulation Stage (Phases 4-6, 18 months): CHF 331,900
- Total Project (Phases 1-6, 36 months): CHF 696,900
- It is important to highlight that this budget reflects only the costs associated with the execution of this specific project, and the resources will be managed entirely for its implementation in collaboration with Reimagine SA. Both our foundation and Reimagine SA are operational organizations that manage independent projects, each with its own funding and support from specific partners.
- It is worth noting that the requested funds will be used exclusively to cover the operational role of our foundation on the ground, and not for infrastructure or other benefits that the communities receive through our model. Within the My Village program, the total funding comes from several independent budgets, managed by each partner organization. Our role is to facilitate agreements, ensure proper implementation, and guarantee that these agreements are fulfilled for the benefit of the communities and the overall success of the project.
- During our feasibility phase, we have secured the collaborative interest of key stakeholders such as the Eastern Cape government and the OR Tambo region, with backing from the Swiss embassy. These partnerships are crucial to addressing critical areas of community development and ensuring a robust project with broad local interest.
- The partner organizations joining the program, under our support, are responsible for specific areas such as business education, digitalization, and infrastructure, complementing our core initiatives. These organizations, funded locally or with adapted models, provide essential services and infrastructure (such as energy, connectivity, and water), improving quality of life, reducing costs, and stimulating the growth of local businesses.
- The total amount of contributions our partners will invest across the 6 phases will be determined as the initial phases are implemented.
- Our funding request represents essential seed capital to launch the first 18 months of the My Village model, focused on Revitalization. This FCF support will not only allow us to begin the project but also establish a solid foundation to accurately assess community needs and achievable objectives in the subsequent stages of the repopulation phase. It will also allow us to outline the concrete contributions of other partners joining the project.
- For now, we have solid commitments from the involved partners. Therefore, this seed capital for the Revitalization not only guarantees the start of the process but also serves as the foundation upon which the project will be built. We are convinced that with this seed capital, we will offer a sustainable future for the pilot communities in Eastern Cape, catalyzing a lasting and transformative impact.
Forecasted Results (Quantitative Targets and Indicators)
- At this pre-diagnostic stage, we are unable to identify with certainty the exact impact in terms of beneficiary reach throughout the 6 phases. However, we are committed to setting clear, achievable goals to profile these contributions during the Revitalization stage, once we are on the ground and able to move through the early phases of the model.
- It is critical to understand that without the diagnostic revealed in the Revitalization-phases, any projection or promise would lack substance. Once the diagnostic is completed, we will be able to provide a much clearer and more precise vision.
Our on-the-ground objectives are as follows:
- Establish working groups in the best-prepared communities within the Tambo region, Eastern Cape, to quickly implement revitalization initiatives.
- Complete the mapping of the Tambo region using indicators specifically tailored for revitalization and repopulation, focusing on data not previously recorded by the state.
- Improve essential infrastructure, such as connectivity and access to clean water.
- Train residents in the use of digital devices, business development, and digital marketing for socioeconomic inclusion and income generation.
- Identify and list new business opportunities to foster local economic growth.
- Create profiles for jobs/ business opportunities to offer urban families to initiate the repopulation call for the region.
- Publicize the program effectively across multiple platforms.
- However, following metrics can be delivered:
Metric | Indicator | Method of Collection |
Number of communities receiving the My Village call | XXX communities receive My Village outreach | Program outreach reports, communication logs |
Community participation in Deep Mapping | 20% of the population in OR Tambo selected communities participate in Deep Mapping | System Surveys and questionnaires, participant tracking. |
Results- Digital Matrix | Percentage of Deep Mapping participants with data entered into the Digital Matrix | Database entries, progress tracking |
Installation of water-systems infrastructure and job creation | Water systems for potable water installed in XXX communities, at least xxx jobs created | Partnership agreements, infrastructure completion reports, jobs creation reports from local partners |
Connectivity enhancement and job creation | Connectivity improved in XXX communities, at least XXX jobs created | Partnership agreements, Infrastructure reports, job creation reports from local partners |
Education programs delivered – Digitalization | Education programs implemented in XXX villages | Education program attendance records, partner reports |
Sharing of business opportunities in media | Deep Mapping results published in XX newspapers | Media publication tracking, press coverage analysis |
Device usage for business purposes | XX community members trained to use devices for business | Device distribution logs, training program attendance, follow-up surveys |
Business & Marketing tools | XX community members are trained in business models and Marketing tools, for income generation. | Training program attendance, post-training business assessments, self-reported metrics, income tracking |
Community residents actively participating in solutions | At least XX community residents are actively involved in local projects | Meeting attendance records, progress reports of created projects, results tracking |
Why do SA communities need the My Village model, and how does it address their specific challenges?
- In our model, we integrate existing programs and solutions, adding value because what these organizations expect from our collaboration—and this mutually beneficial partnership—is that we facilitate the “last mile,” connecting directly with the communities. This process requires building trust, as communities are wary of both governments and unfamiliar companies. Our role is to catalyze development by comprehensively addressing needs and barriers, with hands-on experience and proximity in the field.
- Additionally, we provide a fundamental added value to the public sector and the communities: accurate and detailed information on the true local dynamics. We measure key indicators that have not been previously recorded, such as the extent of population displacement, as well as their individual and collective aspirations. This approach allows us to be more effective in our mission to help communities organize and achieve their goals.