Future Workshop of Small Towns

Residential Bootcamp Inner Areas
Festival of Storytelling Countries
Regulation
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Your educational background in the Inner Areas: 4 days for co-design The future of small towns and their communities.

from 24 to 27 + 28 June 2026

If you dream of a future for small towns and believe in the potential of inland areas, This is your call.
We're waiting for you at Capestrano (AQ) for the’Future Workshop for Small Townsa Free residential boot camp Over 4 days where theory meets action.
Together with a select group of Young men (18-45 years), and led by Nationally recognised lecturers of the 4 Abruzzo Universities, you will learn to read the territory, to transform analysis into concrete planning and to draw the Community map.

The teaching staff

  • University of L'Aquila with Prof. Luca Pezzuto
  • University of Teramo with Prof. Rita Salvatore
  • Università d’Annunzio of Chieti-Pescara with Prof. Pierluigi Sacco and Prof. Alessandro Crociata
  • GSSI with Professor Maria Giovanna Brandano

Main Topics:

  • Context, vision, and group activation: Provide keys to understanding inland areas and build the temporary community.
  • Territory, community, and local resources: understanding the territory through direct experience.
  • Co-design and construction of the community map: transform the analysis into concrete planning.

At the end of the course, participants will be involved in the public presentation during
The Festival of Storytelling Towns

We are not just looking for participants, but for designers willing to get involved in the development and enhancement of inland territories.

Read the full regulations.

Are you ready to live an immersive and continuous experience?
Register now, selection closes on 14 June 2026.

Sign up now

Boot Camp Programme
Gran Sasso Storytelling Festival

A journey through community, future, and territory – 24 / 28 June

The event programme spans four intensive days of workshops and design, followed by the festival and a narrative trek through the local area's beautiful landscapes and villages.

Boot Camp: Future Workshop for Small Towns

A progressive path that accompanies young students and designers from contextual exploration to concrete design.

Day 1 – Wednesday 24 June

Headquarters Convent of St John of Capestrano Theme: Context, vision and group activation
  • Welcome and introduction (courtesy of Il Bosso): Presentation of the bootcamp, participants and team building.
  • Training session “Inland areas as laboratories for the future” (socio-economic analysis and new development models).
  • Chat National policies and strategies on youth and territories.
  • Laboratory: Mapping expectations and introduction to the concept of a community map.

Day 2 – Thursday 25 June

Headquarters Piccolomini Castle of Capestrano Theme: Territory, community and local resources
  • Territorial exploration Exploratory walks and observation of spaces and landscapes.
  • Community meetings Meeting with local administrators, associations, and entrepreneurs.
  • Training session Sustainable tourism and local enhancement.
  • Laboratory: Identification of key resources (cultural, environmental, social, and economic).

Day 3 – Friday 26 June

Headquarters Piccolomini Castle of Capestrano Theme: Co-design and construction of the community map
  • Training session Social innovation and entrepreneurship.
  • Laboratory (learning by doing) Development of project ideas related to territorial regeneration.
  • Community map Identification of identity-forming places and tangible/intangible heritage.
  • Mentoring Project reviews with lecturers and methodological support.

Day 4 – Saturday 27 June (Morning)

Headquarters Piccolomini Castle of Capestrano Theme: Return, activation and public opening
  • Final preparation: Finalisation of project maps and pitches.
  • Public event Presentation of work and workshops with stakeholders.
  • Assessment and Awards Selection of the winning project by the community.
  • Networking: Connection between participants, territory, and partners.

Final output of the Boot Camp

  • Shared community map Strategic resources and identity elements.
  • Project proposals: Concrete and actionable ideas for the short to medium term.

Further details and timings will be provided directly to course attendees

Grand Sasso Storytelling Countries Festival

Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 June

The festival will host institutional conferences on the future laboratories of inland areas, debates with distinguished guests, a captivating jazz concert, and the traditional Inspirational Narrative Trekking.

Click here to discover the full programme and detailed timings for the Festival.

Regulation Sign up now