More than just deer and truffles. Laconi, the town of Saint Ignatius and a destination for many faithful, is becoming an example of youth entrepreneurship and the development of inland areas. Two days ago, Sardinia was among the protagonists in Brussels, with the participation of the Municipality of Sarcidano at the European Startup Villages 2025 Forum, an event sponsored by the European Commission and dedicated to innovation in Europe's rural areas.

Laconi, a town of 1,600 inhabitants, was invited to share its experience, which began in 2019 with the launch of Treballu Hub , the first workspace and a hub for young people, artists, and professionals. In 2024, this journey expanded with the launch of Ammonte, an urban and social regeneration project that aims to transform the former Civic Market into a rural creative space . The goal is to create a place open to all generations, with spaces for education, crafts, digital technologies, and culture.

Carlo Coni, project manager: "Innovation doesn't just happen in cities, but also in small towns that choose to invest in their people and their talent." Mayor Salvatore Argiolas: "Laconi demonstrates that a town's size doesn't limit its capacity for innovation. It's a driving force to continue creating opportunities for young people and combating the depopulation that has plagued inland areas for years."

In the coming months, a new participatory phase will begin to define in detail the functions of the future space of the former Civic Market and actively involve citizens. In parallel, the Municipality, the Giovani Iddocca association, and Treballu Hub are developing a pilot project for rural transition to propose to the Region. Training programs for community facilitators, digital help desks for seniors, and rural and social entrepreneurship programs are planned. Sara Pinna

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