Trevinano Ri-Wind

The National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP)

The National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP) has introduced a significant initiative aimed at countering the depopulation of small Italian villages, with the goal of revitalizing historic towns. Investment 2.1, entitled "Attractiveness of Villages", allocated a total of €1 billion to initiate projects for cultural, social and economic regeneration in a selection of small historic towns across the country.
Among these, Trevinano—a hamlet of the Acquapendente Municipality —was selected by the Lazio Region, in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture, as a pilot village to test new policies for its revival. The choice of Trevinano is far from random: the village represents an ideal microcosm to test innovative solutions capable of addressing the challenges of territorial, demographic and economic marginalization.

The reactivation project for Trevinano is far more than a simple urban redevelopment initiative. It embodies a strategic vision aimed at charting a new path of economic development, leveraging the unique resources of this area: its social, cultural and natural capital. The community of Trevinano will benefit from an integrated approach that, in addition to preserving its historical and landscape heritage, will foster the creation of new job opportunities and avenues for growth, particularly in sectors such as sustainable tourism, culture, craftsmanship, local agricultural activities and services.

One of the project’s key strengths is its focus on endogenous resources: through innovative community-oriented tools and models, the aim is to transform the village into a space where tradition meets innovation. This approach will enhance essential services, improving their efficiency, effectiveness and economic sustainability, while preserving local identity. The introduction of innovative services will not only make the village more livable for residents but also more attractive for new inhabitants and visitors, resulting in a positive impact on the local economy and social cohesion.

This project also holds significant social value. The reactivation of Trevinano involves the local community directly, promoting active and inclusive participation. Residents become the driving force of change, encouraged to contribute their knowledge and experience to build a shared future. In this sense, the project goes beyond the physical redevelopment of the village and seeks to regenerate the social fabric, fostering a sense of belonging and pride in the community.

The project is structured in five areas, implemented through specific regeneration actions, with the aim of initiating a virtuous process that aspires to become a replicable model for other similar contexts across Italy.

The five areas of intervention are:

RI-WIND_A COMMUNITY THAT CHANGES AND REACTIVATES THE VILLAGE
The first regeneration perspective focuses on the residents and temporary community through measures aimed at renewing public spaces and real estate. By restoring buildings, the goal is to encourage the repopulation of the village and create a new community founded on mutual support, where elderly residents and young families live together, consolidating a sustainable housing model and at the same time, develop accommodation to host sustainable tourism.
The refurbishment and requalification of buildings for public-use promote the creation of spaces to accommodate new functions: spaces for the community to gather together and that are multifunctional and flexible to meet the needs of new residents. The historic trattoria, which faces a generational turnover challenge, once restored, will become a symbolic location for the project. It will combine its role as a restaurant with that of a 21st-century “emporium,” serving as a hub to expand the range of services for residents.

RI-WIND_CREATIVE REGENERATION
The second perspective envisions contemporary art and cultural pathways as key tools for renewing and enhancing Trevinano’s attractiveness. Through a process of dialogue between the village’s residents and artists, Trevinano Ri-Wind intends to create a Public Art Itinerary, marked by various site specific artistic measures and permanent works of art designed and implemented in various parts of the village (buildings, squares, streets, green areas, inside spaces, etc.). Priority will be given to areas requiring aesthetic and functional requalification.
Keeping this in mind, artist residencies, workshops and activities involving the community will be organized in collaboration with local cultural operators and national institutions, creating a bridge between the past and the future, between the village and its surrounding environment. Finally, new cultural resources and services will be made available to residents to establish new community spaces.

RI-WIND_TOURISM THAT IS SUSTAINABLE, ACTIVE AND RESPECTFUL
Tourism is at the center of the third perspective of intervention, based on Trevinano’s strategic position near the Via Francigena and the Monte Rufeno Nature Reserve, in between Lazio, Umbria and Tuscany. Measures include the creation of a scattered hotel (Albergo Diffuso) through the restoration and energy efficiency upgrading of houses in the historic village, a guesthouse and a camper area to promote outdoor tourism.
Moreover, electric transportation will be introduced to facilitate movement between the village and neighbouring centres. The creation of an info point and the promotion of local products will be supported by territorial marketing activities and the development of a Trevinano Brand, further enhancing the area's appeal.

RI-WIND_NEW ENTREPRENEURIAL MODELS FOR THE VILLAGE’S MICRO-ECONOMY
Supporting businesses is the cornerstone of the fourth global regeneration action. The creation and mentoring of a community cooperative will be fundamental in this sense in making it the operational arm of the project, with a wide range of responsibilities, from providing tourist services to managing accommodation and restaurants.
In addition, mentoring programs will support existing local businesses as well as new entrepreneurial initiatives. The local business network will thus benefit from access to funding and specialized services for business start-ups or development. This approach aims to strengthen the village’s micro-economy, ensuring sustainable growth.

RI-WIND_CENTRE FOR NEW SKILLS AND PROFESSIONAL EXPERTISE
The Trevinano regeneration project also emphasizes education and attracting new skills. The village, in fact, aims to become a hub for research, learning and exploration of the territory and environment. Collaborating with universities and research centers, short- and medium-term training and specialization programs will be established.
Summer schools and co-working spaces will serve as ideal attractions, bringing new expertise to Trevinano and fostering fruitful exchange between the local community and temporary residents. This initiative will enhance the knowledge base in the area while contributing to the village’s cultural, social and economic revitalization.