The "Rete dei Borghi in Campania" project was created with the objective of repopulating the small municipalities and villages of Campania and promoting their lifestyles between well-being and health. Additionally, the project aims to preserve the rich cultural, architectural, and traditional heritage of the Campania villages. This ambitious initiative aims to engage local communities, institutions, cultural entities, and stakeholders in order to achieve sustainable development, enhance tourism, and promote the region's cultural and natural heritage.

The network name ‘Health and Wellness Villages’ is intended to identify precisely the vision of this project and aims in general to promote and enhance the network of villages located in the Campania region, in the heart of Italy, to a wider public of travellers. The project is conceived, planned and financed by the Regione Campania and implemented by Scabec with the scientific support of Prof. Annamaria Colao, Prof. Ferruccio Ferrigni, Prof. Marina Fumo and Prof. Pierluigi Petrillo.

The strength of a network
A total of 48 village networks, spread over the entire territory of Campania, have applied for the project. They will be required to develop a feasibility project that considers their historical, landscape, and cultural relevance, as well as a prototype/model of collaboration. A key aspect of the project is the establishment of a knowledge exchange system between the villages. This will facilitate the formation of local associations for the management of the network, its offer and its sustainable development.

The participation of the local community, including residents, entrepreneurs, artists, and young people, will be essential to ensure long-term sustainability. The involvement of local authorities, cultural associations, universities, and non-profit organizations will be crucial, as will the search for partnerships with tourism agencies, private companies, and foundations interested in supporting the sustainable development of the Campania villages.

Project promotion

The collaboration and sustainable development between the villages will be promoted through the provision of detailed information on attractions, accommodations, restaurants, and local activities. A dedicated web portal and a value brand will be the tools to support awareness of Health and Wellness Villages. The former will be a showcase for the whole world, first developed in four languages. The latter will provide quality, knowledge, and a healthy lifestyle.

A unique beauty

Campania's villages, with their ancient squares, historic churches, picturesque alleyways, and traditional cuisine, offer a distinctive cultural heritage. The proposal is to promote a brand that values various "slow life" experiences, including cuisine, typical products, wellness, open spaces, sustainable mobility, landscapes, and local cultures. The goal is to enhance the quality of life in the villages by promoting their cultural uniqueness, sustainable development, and renewed tourist enjoyment.

The project's target audience will include tourists interested in wellness and sustainable tourism, local inhabitants eager to promote their area, tour operators and wellness companies interested in collaborating, as well as enthusiasts of wine and food tourism, urban and nature trekking.