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Case Study Selection


Over the past several months, the Re-Place team has been actively working to explore and understand mobility dynamics in Left-Behind Places. This effort spans six European countries and involves twelve carefully selected territories, each serving as a case study.

In Portugal, the focus is on Idanha-a-Nova and Ferreira do Alentejo, two regions that highlight the challenges and opportunities in sparsely populated rural areas. Spain brings us to Sayago, a border region near Portugal, and the unique island of El Hierro, located in the Canary Islands. Moving to Italy, the team is working in Viù and Caselle in Pittari, small towns that tell compelling stories of adaptation and resilience.

In Germany, the project covers Tambach-Dietharz and Nordhalben, reflecting the rural realities in the heart of Europe. Meanwhile, in Romania, Vâvele and Nocrich provide perspectives from Eastern Europe’s evolving landscapes. Finally, in Latvia, Roja and Rogovka offer insights from the northernmost areas in this diverse study.

As we delve deeper into these territories, the Re-Place project will share detailed stories through our upcoming newsletters and on our social media channels (
LinkedIn,Instagram, and X).

To kick off, let’s briefly explore the cases of Spain and Latvia, including territories that present strikingly different yet complementary contexts:

Spain | El Hierro, a remote island in the Canary Islands' NUTS2 region, is home to 11,298 people (2021). With its three municipalities each hosting around 3,000–4,000 residents, the island is a fascinating example of life on the EU's southwestern periphery. Meanwhile, Sayago, located in Zamora province within the Castile and Leon region, paints a contrasting picture. Its 24 municipalities, home to 7,415 people (2021), illustrate the complexities of rural border areas, where only two towns—Fermoselle and Bermillo de Sayago—have populations exceeding 1,000. Both regions rank in the lowest quintile of the Regional Human Development Index for NUTS3 areas, underscoring the challenges they face.

Latvia | On Latvia's western coast lies Roja, a village with deep cultural roots shaped by its coastal location. Situated in Roja Parish within Talsi Municipality, this area spans 200.63 km², mostly land. Its unique history, including its restricted status during the Soviet era, has left a lasting impact on its local character and migration patterns. Further east, Rogovka in Nautrēni Parish tells another story. Nestled in Rēzekne Municipality, this village spans 156.88 km² and is home to 874 residents (2024). Employment statistics reveal a close balance between active (52.4%) and inactive populations (40.4%), reflecting the dynamics of a small community navigating modern challenges.


Research advances

Linking the Re-Place survey and LHDI: The ICCV team from Romania produced a report linking the Re-Place survey conducted across six countries (n=12,000) with the Local Human Development Index. The deliverable uses multilevel analysis to explore the individual and regional determinants of the three variables defined as crucial for the Re-Place project approach to left-behind areas: place attachment, subjective well-being, and preferences for future mobility and immobility. The multilevel analyses presented in this deliverable link the Re-Place survey individual data (level 1 of analyses) with data on the human development level of the regions in which the respondents live (level 2 of analyses). The data on the human development level of the regions are produced by the Re-Place project team, as a variant of Local Human Development Index (LHDI) at regional level (Regional Human Development Index – RHDI).

Mobility Profiles: Re-Place seeks to collaboratively generate knowledge and policies that leverage local resources, capabilities, and diversities to enhance the well-being and quality of life for all inhabitants. To ensure a robust empirical footing for this step in the research cycle, a report was elaborated based on mobility profiles of the 12 selected case study areas. The deliverable curated and edited by UNIBA aims to provide historic accounts of spatial (im)mobilities to and from these case study areas, related with local (endogenous) and external (exogenous) factors by deeply scrutinizing the multiple types of (im)mobilities across scales and ensuring their comparability. Mobility profiles presented here draw upon secondary data provided by supranational, national, and local statistical bodies, and data gathered through Re-Place’s LHDI. Additionally, they are enriched with data collected through stakeholder (expert) interviews from the private (industry players, employers, business actors, recruitment agencies, real estate agencies), public (multi-sectoral policymakers and local government) and civic sectors (social partners, citizen groups).


Qualitative research in the 12 Re-Place case study areas: Recent fieldwork across Latvia, Italy, Spain, Romania, Portugal and Germany has yielded significant progress in the Re-Place project’s efforts to understand the dynamics of mobility and its impact on development processes in Left-Behind Places. Over the period spanning from June to November, in total, over 120 interviews were conducted with local experts from the private economy (employers, social economy – social/eco-entrepreneurs and non-profit organisations, business associations), public sector (policymakers, political parties) and civil society (social partners, citizen groups, charitable institutions, migrant associations).The interviews explored the conventional strategies of local and regional development by focusing on the hard infrastructures to stimulate innovation and business growth, as well as non-conventional aspects of development and the effects of (im)mobility on the areas.


RE-PLACE at conferences

International Workshop “Migration, Diaspora and Development in the Western Balkans, Tirana, Albania”

On September 17th, Alexandra Deliu, a member of the Re-Place team, participated in the International Workshop Migration, Diaspora and Development in the Western Balkans, which was organized by the Center for Economic and Social Studies under the framework of the Central European Initiative in Tirana, Albania.

AIS Conference “Emotions and reasons in neoliberal society”

The AIS Conference was held on September 18-20 at University of Lecce, Lecce, Italy, with one oral presentation: Inside the sense of the place. From media narratives to tourist experience (Speaker Mihaela Gavrila).

Conference “A new internal frontier? Vertical migrations and climate changes in the Italian metropolitan mountains”

The conference was held on October 22 at the headquarter of the Italian Geographical Society, Rome, Italy, with one oral presentation by Barbara Staniscia.

Conference “Inner areas, depopulation, and territorial regeneration”

The concefence was held on November 26 at University of Salerno, Salerno, Italy, with one oral presentation: Inner areas, migrations, and new strategies for local development. The responses of the Horizon Europe Re-Place Project (Speaker Mihaela Gavrila).

XVIII Colóquio Ibérico de Geografia

The XVIII Colóquio Ibérico de Geografia took place at the Universidade de Coimbra in Coimbra, Portugal, from October 9–11, 2024. The Re-Place team participated with the presentation titled 'Migración por estilo de vida y empresarialidad en zonas insulares: Oportunidades para el medio rural' (Lifestyle migration and entrepreneurship in islands: Opportunities for rural areas), presented by Cristóbal Mendoza.

International Conference on Regional Sciences

The Conference took place at the Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha. Cuenca, frin October 16-18, 2024. The Re-Place team participated with the presentation titled “Regional development and left behind areas: the socio-material capital’s perspective”, by Josefina Domínguez-Mujica, Mercedes Rodríguez-Rodríguez and Juan M. Parreño-Castellano.

III Seminario de migraciones: "Migratlantes: rostros y rutas

The III Seminario de migraciones took place at the Casa África. Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (Spain) on 25 November 2024. The Re-Place team participated in a roundtable titled “Research and Universities in the analysis of the different aspects of migration”, represented by Josefina Domínguez-Mujica.


London School of Economics’ Programme Politics of Inequality

On 20 and 21 November 2024, Amandine Desille participated in the final event of the London School of Economics’ programme Politics of Inequality, which gathered researchers, activists, and artists from all around the world. Together with Atlantic Fellow Kitti Baracsi, they presented their work with a collective of mapmakers in central Lisbon, suggesting that the spaces of those encounters are “Interzones in the making”, enabling to “bridge between activism, research and art to tackle urban inequalities”.


Our Researchers

The Re-Place team was represented at the X Aniversario Geoparque de El Hierro by Claudio Moreno-Medina

UNIBA/MigTrans has two new team members: Mila Miletić who recently graduated the Master in Social- and Population Geography and Jonathan Ernsthenrich M.Sc. who was part of the Horizon 2020-project HumMingBird. New webpage on local development and migration in rural Portugal and Spain. Responsible: Cristóbal Mendoza.

Read More

 

In the field


Voices of Valle di Viù: a synthesis of expert interviews

Between October and November 2024, 10 interviews were conducted in Valle di Viù – Alpi Graie, facilitated by Andrea Membretti, territorial mediator and member of the Riabitare l’Italia Association. Participants included representatives from local administration, associations like the Alpine Centre and sport and cultural organizations, and three entrepreneurs from the tourism sector. These interviews highlighted the area's environmental value, opportunities, and challenges, contributing to a deeper understanding of the region’s dynamics for future initiatives.

Further information about the institutions and associations that took place in the expert interviews:
https://www.cailanzo.it
https://www.gal-vallilanzocerondacasternone.it
http://www.cittametropolitana.torino.it/cms
https://turismovallidilanzo.it/consorzio


The expert interviews in Caselle in Pittari and Southern Cilento

Between October and November 2024, interviews in Southern Cilento were facilitated by local mediators Marina Dattola and Antonella Torre. Participants included mayors of five municipalities, the director of the Cilento National Park, a Sapri hotelier, a restaurateur, and an artisan. Civil society representatives included the creator of Palio del Grano, the president of RadiCa, the curator of the Cammino di San Nilo, and the president of Terre del Bussento. These discussions explored local dynamics, tourism, and cultural initiatives.

Further information about the institutions and associations that took place in the expert interviews:
https://www.cilentoediano.it
http://www.paliodelgrano.it
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61558948528043
https://camminibizantini.com/cammino-di-san-nilo
https://www.terredelbussento.it


Latvia

In Latvia, 13 expert interviews conducted in Roja and 11 in Rogovka. In Roja, interviews included key figures such as educators and community leaders. For example, the secondary school, an important local hub with 36 teachers and a diverse student body, including children from Ukraine, was a focal point. Additionally, researchers met with the head of the local library, a vital resource offering computer and internet access as well as support services. In Rogovka, interviews were conducted with key stakeholders, including the head of the local municipality, the school’s principal, entrepreneurs, and cultural leaders. Despite its remote location, Rogovka stands out as a place where cultural heritage isdeeply cherished, reflecting the community’s pride and resilience.



Romania

From June to September 2024, the Romanian team conducted 20 interviews with local stakeholders, evenly split between the two case study areas. Overcoming scheduling challenges during the summer holiday season, the team adapted by organizing shorter, more frequent field trips to accommodate participants’ availability. Local authorities in both areas played a key role in facilitating the interviews and supporting the research. In addition to collecting valuable data on stakeholders' perspectives, the field trips helped establish important connections for upcoming studies and provided insights into migration patterns, focusing on those who leave and those who stay.


Recently published

Return to Albania. Phases, effects, perspectives

Read Full Article

 

On migration aspirations in southeastern europe

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Return Migration: Theories, Concepts, Findings; with a Special Emphasis on Southeastern Europe

Read Full Article


Neo-Endogenous local Development, Tourism, and International Immigration in El Hierro, Spain

Read Full Article



The reception of irregular immigrants in the Canary Islands: Humanitarian care and integration (2020-23)

Read Full Article


Housing in the Canary Islands. Situation, perspectives and proposals

Read Full Article


Forty years of sociodemographic modernization in the Canary Islands: The structures of coexistence (1991-2021)

Read Full Article


Sensing Mobile Ukrainian Cultural Heritage in Portugal

Read Full Article

 

 

Upcoming events

Peripheries in times of crisis. International conference
Universidade da Madeira. Portugal, January 30-31, 2025

Re-Place team represented by Domínguez-Mujica, Josefina. Keynote speaker: “Crisis and migration: a dialectical relationship in peripheral island spaces”. Jerez Darias, L. & Rodríguez-Rodríguez, M. Presentation: “Análisis comparativo de las relaciones migratorias de Canarias y Madeira con Venezuela: procesos transnacionales en tiempos de la globalización”
Read more

2025 American Association of Geography (AAG) Annual Meeting
Detroit, Michigan, March 24-28 2025

Re-Place team represented by Mendoza, Cristóbal. Presentation: “Neo-endogenous local development and immigration in rural Spain: Winning and losing regions: Regions of success and decline”
Read more

Upcoming 2025 IMISCOE PhD School 

The Institute of Geography and Spatial Planning (IGOT) at the University of Lisbon, in cooperation with the Critical Heritage Studies Hub at Jagiellonian University, will host the upcoming IMISCOE PhD School next August 2025. IGOT is the coordinating institute of the project Re-Place, and has been a founding member of the IMISCOE network, the largest network of migration scholars in Europe. The last years, IGOT and the Critical Heritage Hub’s members have developed an academic and pedagogical offer linked to visual and sensory methodology, using mental maps, photography and filmmaking, all of them tapped on during this PhD School. International trainers will also join the week to support the participants in developing sound PhD projects using a sensory methodology.
Read more


End-of-Year Message & 2024 Project Summary for Re-Place

Dear Re-Place Community,

As we close out 2024, I want to reflect on the incredible journey we’ve taken together this year and celebrate the milestones achieved by our project. It has been a year of progress, collaboration, and discovery, made possible by the dedication of our team, partners, and advisors.

Innovative Concepts Working Paper: We began the year finalizing the Innovative Concepts working paper, which will soon be available publicly. This document lays the theoretical foundation of our work, developed collaboratively across partner institutions. It reflects months of rigorous discussion and synthesis, offering a framework to guide our research and practical applications.

Local Human Development Index (LHDI) and Large-Scale Survey: A significant achievement was completing the LHDI across six countries, which involved meticulous data collection, analysis, and the development of a methodological brief. We also created a regional index to enable comparisons across Europe, enriching the project’s analytical depth. Conducted across six countries, the survey's results were analyzed and linked with the LHDI, culminating in another impactful brief. This crucial linkage forms a foundation for understanding human mobility and development patterns in diverse contexts.

Annual Event in Riga and Case Study Selection: April marked a pivotal moment with our annual event in Riga, where we initiated the selection of 12 case study areas across six countries. This milestone, finalized shortly after, sets the stage for the next phases of our qualitative research.

Qualitative Research Advancements: Visual methodology guidelines were developed and tested through a small but insightful exercise during the Riga event, which we proudly published on our website. Expert interview guidelines facilitated over 120 interviews with key stakeholders, capturing valuable perspectives. Based on this, we have produced 12 mobility profiles, characterising the case studies across a variety of themes, including mobility, quality of life, and place identity. The household interview guide, recently finalized, positions us to commence 240 in-depth interviews with mobile and immobile households in 2025.

These milestones have laid a strong foundation for 2025, allowing us to continue delivering reproducible, comparable, and insightful theoretical frameworks, mixed-method tools, and empirical findings. This progress would not have been possible without the collective effort of the Re-Place team. Your commitment to excellence and innovation has been inspiring. We are equally grateful to our advisory board for their invaluable guidance and to the evaluators of our first-term review for their constructive feedback.

We’re eager to share some surprising and thought-provoking results with the wider community in the coming months through conferences and publications. Dissemination efforts are already underway, ensuring our findings make a meaningful impact.

Thank you for an extraordinary year. Wishing everyone a restful and joyful end-of-year break. Our next update will be in early spring as we dive into an exciting 2025.

Warm regards,
Jennifer McGarrigle, coordinator of the Re-Place Project


www.replace-horizon.eu

info@replace-horizon.eu

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The Re-Place project has received funding from the European Union's Horizon Europe Framework Programme for Research and Innovation under grant agreement no. 101094087.



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