On 5 September 2025, FoodCoP hosted the fourth session of its Startup Villages Webinar Series, bringing to light how the Municipality of Fundão in Portugal is boldly merging digital innovation, youth empowerment, and rural resilience.
Led by Fabíola Figueiro, of the Municipality of Fundão, the session showcased how the region has transformed rural challenges—such as depopulation and limited economic opportunities—into a thriving ecosystem of entrepreneurship and education.
Key highlights included:
-
Inês Cama offered a strategic overview of Fundão’s innovation journey, underlining how digital infrastructure, coding education from age six, and local entrepreneurial opportunities have repositioned the territory as a resilient rural hub.
-
Ana Patrício introduced Passwork, Fundão’s award-winning coworking and digital access initiative. With 10 collaborative hubs and support from nearly 80 partners, Passwork is redefining how remote communities stay connected, creative, and economically viable.
-
Nuno Castela from the Polytechnic Institute of Castelo Branco shared an innovative youth-focused dual training programme, co-developed with Softinsa (IBM Group). This hands-on tech education in real work environments offers rural youth clear pathways into software careers without leaving their region.
-
Manuel Poppy, founder of Star Mountain, demonstrated how a local-born startup can scale nationally. His venture streamlines complex compliance processes into accessible tools for regulated industries—illustrating the potential of rural innovation to reach broader markets.
The session painted a compelling picture: Fundão is not merely adapting; it is transforming. Through inclusive education, tech-enabled entrepreneurship, and collaborative infrastructure, the municipality is crafting a sustainable model for rural revitalisation—one that may well serve as inspiration across Europe.
🎥 The full recording of this session is available on the FoodCoP platform:
👉 https://www.platform-foodcop.eu/
