Good Practice - Project
Aldeias Sem Fronteiras - Villages Without Borders
An interterritorial cooperation project strengthened social inclusion, intergenerational ties and community participation through a wide range of cultural, educational and environmental activities.
General information
RDP Priority
- P6. Social inclusion and local development
RDP Focus Area
- 6B: Local development
RDP Measure
- M19: LEADER/CLLD
Beneficiary type
- Local Action Group
Summary
Village Without Borders was a rural cooperation project in northern Portugal that brought together two regions facing similar challenges, such as social isolation and declining intergenerational ties. The project tested a new approach to strengthen personal and intergenerational development through sociocultural activities and partnerships.
By valuing local people and resources, it fostered community participation, social connection and territorial cohesion. Implemented across nine municipalities and around 40 villages, it had a positive impact on inclusion and sense of belonging, and its methodology was later compiled into a manual to support replication in other rural areas.
Results
- The project delivered 386 activities, well above the 305 planned, and engaged 7 786 participants across 9 municipalities and around 40 communities, demonstrating strong mobilisation and territorial reach.
- Participation was high across all activity types, with consistently very high satisfaction levels (95–99%).
- The project strengthened intergenerational interaction, increased appreciation of local heritage and natural resources, and boosted community engagement and civic participation.
- It also produced a transferable methodology, captured in a Good Practices Manual, contributing overall to greater social cohesion, inclusion and sustainable rural development.
Promoter
ADER-SOUSA / CORANE
Funding
Total budget: 108 398.47 (EUR)
EAFRD: 82 924.98 (EUR)
National/Regional: 14 633.82 (EUR)
Private/own: 10 839.67 (EUR)
Resources
Context
This Village Without Borders project was developed under the LEADER cooperation initiative by the ADER‑SOUSA and CORANE Local Action Groups (LAGs) from northern Portugal, specifically in the Terras do Sousa and Terra Fria Transmontana regions. These areas are rich in cultural heritage, natural resources, and deep‑rooted traditions, yet face structural challenges typical of rural territories. Increasingly, these areas experience the isolation of elderly residents and a decline in intergenerational connections, leading to the loss of traditional knowledge and weakening of ties between past and future.
The project tested a methodology to stimulate personal and intergenerational development, later compiled into a best‑practice guide for replication in other regions. Its innovative character lies in its multidimensional impact - valuing local resources, engaging both long‑term residents and newcomers, and fostering territorial cohesion through community participation, social interconnection, and the valorisation of endogenous assets.
Designed as a seed for future growth, the project promotes sustainable development and equal opportunities, encouraging inclusive participation without discrimination based on gender, ethnicity, or social condition. It was open to all community members, with particular attention to individuals in vulnerable situations.
Objectives
The overall objective of the project was to strengthen community participation and promote personal development through socio‑cultural activities, while building a network of formal and informal partnerships to support joint initiatives.
Activities
Project activities included:
- Community gatherings: cultural and participatory events involving various organisations, featuring musical, theatrical and dance performances that highlight the region’s rich cultural and creative heritage.
- Entrepreneurship for Women: workshops for women in remote, marginalised or rural areas—where access to the labour market is often limited—supporting the creation of small local businesses.
- Environmental and Inclusive Walks: activities promoting physical exercise, environmental education and the inclusion of people with reduced mobility, helping counteract social isolation.
- Discovering Nature: two photography contests encouraging participants to identify and appreciate local biodiversity across seasons, and to deepen knowledge of native flora and fauna.
- Nature Connoisseurs, Painters of Nature & 5Rs: educational activities on native species (e.g., chestnut, holly, laurel, strawberry tree, rosemary, pine), creative workshops using natural materials, and sessions on environmental practices (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Rethink, Refuse).
- Local Heritage and Traditions: activities promoting cultural heritage through traditional games, celebrations of culturally significant dates, and intergenerational learning, fostering a sense of belonging across age groups.
- Intergenerational activities: initiatives encouraging storytelling between generations (Stories & Points) and bringing children into contact with different professions (Vocations with a Future).
- Educational awareness activities: exercises helping children understand personal boundaries and recognise appropriate or inappropriate touch (Touch Traffic Light), as well as activities promoting awareness of disability and valuing diversity (Include Differences).
- We Are All Europe: activities promoting participatory citizenship and disseminating the fundamental values of the European Union.
- Story Board: a creative and educational group activity where children developed narratives using predefined categories (characters, location, object, outcome), supporting linguistic and digital skills.
- Living Stories videos: testimonials from elderly people or individuals who have overcome significant challenges, offering motivating examples of resilience and determination.
- Good Practice Manual: a systematic overview of the project’s methodology to support replication in other territories.
Main results
- 386 actions implemented, exceeding the 305 initially planned, demonstrating strong execution capacity
- 7 786 participants involved, reflecting high community mobilisation across the territories
- 9 municipalities and around 40 local communities involved, ensuring broad territorial coverage
- Strong participation across different types of activities, including:
- 918 participants in traditional games
- 869 in nature-based creative activities (Nature Painters)
- 805 in environmental education activities (Nature Connoisseurs)
- 709 in cultural activities linked to relevant dates
- 564 in community gatherings
- High satisfaction levels (typically between 95% and 99%) reported across the activities implemented
- Enhanced intergenerational interaction, promoting knowledge transfer and shared experiences between age groups
- Increased valorisation of local heritage and natural resources, strengthening territorial identity
- Higher levels of community engagement and civic participation, reinforcing the sense of belonging
- Development of a structured and transferable methodology, consolidated in a Good Practices Manual for replication in other rural areas
- Overall contribution to social cohesion, inclusion and sustainable rural development
Key lessons
The project in Terras do Sousa achieved significant results, promoting inclusion, sustainable development and an improved quality of life in rural communities. Through a wide range of activities (e.g. fairs, environmental walks, entrepreneurship workshops, traditional games and visits to local heritage sites) the project ensured strong community engagement, with high levels of participation and satisfaction.
Evaluation results, including satisfaction questionnaires, showed an extremely positive reception, with participants recognising the relevance and benefits of the activities. The project had a direct impact on local communities by strengthening the sense of belonging, enhancing appreciation of local heritage and promoting inclusion and environmental sustainability. Nonetheless, its impact could have been even greater with a larger implementation team and stronger involvement from some local entities.
Overall, the Villages Without Borders project proved to be a valuable initiative for rural development in the Sousa Lands. Thanks to the commitment of all partners and the active participation of the community, it successfully met its objectives while identifying areas for improvement in future actions. The project demonstrated strong potential to continue benefiting future generations and contributing to the sustainable development of the region.
Regardless of any condition the person may have, we must ensure that they always feel included, and we managed to achieve that, it was a real pleasure for us.