A Mine of Stories: rural innovation with a mining soul
In the heart of the Montaña Palentina —a mountainous area in northern Spain known for its natural beauty and mining heritage— the former Casa del Pueblo of Vallejo de Orbó hosted this Wednesday the official launch of A Mine of Stories, a national initiative aiming to open a new path for sustainable development in post-mining rural areas. The project represents a unique opportunity to rethink the future of the countryside through innovation, culture, and community engagement. Led by the Brañosera Town Council and Spain’s Ministry for the Ecological Transition and Demographic Challenge, A Mine of Stories will run for eight months and reach various mining communities in the region, including Brañosera, Valberzoso, Salcedillo, and Orbó. A key component of the project is its training programme, which includes eight intensive courses of at least 40 hours. These combine theoretical learning, technical visits, and practical workshops. They are aimed at tourist guides, heritage professionals, rural entrepreneurs, and anyone interested in developing new initiatives in their local area. Topics will range from industrial heritage interpretation to the design of tourism experiences, digital marketing, and the use of emerging technologies. INFODEF contributes to the delivery of this training programme, building on its background in education, heritage, and sustainable tourism. Its participation in A Mine of Stories highlights its commitment to educational innovation as a tool for community-based rural regeneration. In addition to the Brañosera Town Council, the initiative involves the collaboration of KOAN Consulting, Patrimonio Global, Radio Viajera, Geocyl, and Enredadas con el Patrimonio, as well as close ties with local associations such as ARPI and the Montaña Palentina Local Action Group. More information at https://www.unaminadehistorias.com Some news published about the event: https://cadenaser.com/castillayleon/2025/05/22/el-patrimonio-minero-se-convierte-en-motor-de-futuro-para-la-montana-palentina-radio-palencia/
GreenCCircle: bringing sustainability into cultural and creative industries
The green transition also belongs to culture. That’s the shared conviction behind GreenCCircle – Cooperative CCIs moving towards green business models, a new European project aimed at rethinking the environmental impact of Cultural and Creative Industries (CCIs) and supporting their shift towards more sustainable business practices. Co-funded by the Erasmus+ programme and running over 36 months, the project brings together a diverse team of partners from seven countries, including INFODEF. All of them believe that sustainability is not only a responsibility but also a real chance to innovate, create, and grow in a more conscious and resilient way. GreenCCircle will deliver hands-on tools: challenge-based learning paths, environmental self-assessments, green entrepreneurship methodologies, and creative experimentation spaces such as Living Labs. The goal is simple: to equip professionals, entrepreneurs, and organisations in the cultural sector with the right tools to make environmentally sound decisions—without giving up creativity or social impact. Within this project, INFODEF is contributing to the design of the emerging professional profile linked to this transformation, the development of the learning programme, and the creation of assessment tools and storytelling-based pedagogical approaches. GreenCCircle is an opportunity to highlight the potential of CCIs as drivers of change in our communities. A space to connect creativity, sustainability and the social economy.
INFODEF at AR&PA 2024: innovation, culture, and regional engagement
INFODEF participated in the AR-PA Cultural Tourism Fair, held from November 15 to 17 in Valladolid, Spain, as a member of the AEICE Efficient Habitat Cluster, through its joint stand at the event. The stand hosted an engaging agenda organized by AEICE, featuring presentations, discussions, and networking opportunities that aligned with the fair’s central topics. The cluster program, themed around emerging heritage, territorial innovation, the demographic challenge, and sustainable habitat, brought together cultural and tourism professionals from across Spain. The fair agenda was enriched by family-friendly workshops and activities led by cultural institutions from Castilla y León, emphasizing the region’s cultural richness and its potential as a sustainable tourism destination. A highlight of the event was the visit of regional government president Alfonso Fernández Mañueco and other authorities during the inaugural day, underlining the significance of the fair in positioning Castilla y León as a hub for innovation in cultural tourism. INFODEF’s presence at AR-PA reflects our ongoing commitment to fostering innovation, sustainability, and international collaboration in the fields of culture and education.