12 May 2026
The REGiMont project kicks off in the village of Uva with a meeting focusing on the identity of the landscape
The first meeting of the collaborative series offered an immersive experience in the Trás-os-Montes region. Photo: Palombar.
The first meeting of the collaborative cycle of the REGiMont project – Centre for Mountain Landscape Regeneration – took place in the village of Uva, in the municipality of Vimioso, between 17 and 20 April 2026. This is a project by Palombar, which brings together individuals and groups dedicated to environmental, cultural, social and built regeneration in rural landscapes.
This initial event marked the start of a collective journey that will run through 2026 and 2027, combining in-person meetings and online working sessions, with the aim of fostering partnerships, co-creating projects and strengthening regenerative ties.
An immersion in the identity of the landscape
Under the theme “The Identity of the Landscape”, the meeting offered an immersive experience of the Trás-os-Montes region, combining exploration of the territory, the sharing of knowledge and the co-construction of ideas.
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Over the course of four days, the programme featured opportunities to explore the local area, such as the guided tour of the village of Uva, accompanied by a procession of bagpipers; the traditional crafts trail, where the community of Uva showcased their skills, such as weaving and cutlery-making; and an exploration of the Iberian Nature, Tourism and Adventure Park (PINTA) in Vimioso, which houses the Natura 2000 Network Exhibition Centre and the Miranda Donkey Recreational and Educational Activities Centre (CALP).
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The community immersion experience was also evident in events such as the open-air cinema, where a film about the culture of Trás-os-Montes was screened under the starlight, as well as during breakfasts with the people of Uva, in the heart of the village.
More than just a technical or exhibition-based event, this first stage of REGiMont was designed as a space for fostering human and professional relationships, recognising that the regeneration of the landscape also begins with the quality of the connections between people.
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The group dynamics were designed as spaces for reflection and collective creation, and played a central role in this process: the introductory session fostered interpersonal understanding in a light-hearted and relaxed manner; the ‘Network Thinking’ exercise led to the creation of three fictional groups that explored shared values such as interdependence, resource sharing, sustainability and collective transformation; whereas in the co-creation exercises, participants were challenged to imagine joint projects with different timeframes (two months, one year, two years), reflecting on priorities, impact and the relationship with the local area.
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The meeting culminated in a joint reflection on REGiMont’s objectives, reinforcing its purpose: to facilitate and support regenerative collaborations and partnerships.
More than just formal outcomes, this meeting generated inspiration, alignment and a foundation of trust among participants – fundamental elements for the long-term collaborative process.
Next steps
The first online session is scheduled for 25 May, marking the start of a new phase of collaborative work, with a greater focus on action and co-creation.
The main objectives of the REGiMont cycle are: to foster collaboration by encouraging the submission of at least three joint applications; to map skills and resources in order to create a collaborative digital tool; and to develop thematic manifestos to contribute to environmental and cultural regeneration and eco-construction.
About the REGiMont project
REGiMont – Centre for Mountain Landscape Regeneration is a project developed by Palombar, scheduled for implementation in 2026 and 2027, which aims to strengthen collaboration between collectives and individuals working on the regeneration of the natural and man-made landscape in rural areas of Portugal.
The project is funded by the Regenerative Communities Fund (RCF), a European initiative managed by ECOLISE – European Network of Community-Led Initiatives on Climate Change and Sustainability – and co-funded by the European Union, which supports communities committed to a just environmental and social transition. Palombar is part of this programme as one of 15 European organisations recognised as “Demonstrators”, distinguished for their expertise in community regeneration.
Based on the conviction that partnerships rooted in integrated and targeted collaboration enhance regenerative impact, REGiMont aims to be an active space for meeting, co-creation and the development of collective solutions for rural areas.
This initial event marked the start of a collective journey that will run through 2026 and 2027, combining in-person meetings and online working sessions, with the aim of fostering partnerships, co-creating projects and strengthening regenerative ties.
An immersion in the identity of the landscape
Under the theme “The Identity of the Landscape”, the meeting offered an immersive experience of the Trás-os-Montes region, combining exploration of the territory, the sharing of knowledge and the co-construction of ideas.
Participants discovered local knowledge and got hands-on experience. Photo: Palombar.
Over the course of four days, the programme featured opportunities to explore the local area, such as the guided tour of the village of Uva, accompanied by a procession of bagpipers; the traditional crafts trail, where the community of Uva showcased their skills, such as weaving and cutlery-making; and an exploration of the Iberian Nature, Tourism and Adventure Park (PINTA) in Vimioso, which houses the Natura 2000 Network Exhibition Centre and the Miranda Donkey Recreational and Educational Activities Centre (CALP).
The Miranda donkey is a symbol of the region’s identity. Photo: Palombar.
Participants explored the region’s natural beauty and stunning landscapes. Photo: Palombar.
The community immersion experience was also evident in events such as the open-air cinema, where a film about the culture of Trás-os-Montes was screened under the starlight, as well as during breakfasts with the people of Uva, in the heart of the village.
A film about the culture of Trás-os-Montes gave everyone a real sense of the local way of life. Photo: Palombar.
Meals were also held in close collaboration with the local community, in the open air. Photo: Palombar.
More than just a technical or exhibition-based event, this first stage of REGiMont was designed as a space for fostering human and professional relationships, recognising that the regeneration of the landscape also begins with the quality of the connections between people.
Strengthening interpersonal bonds is one of the project’s key focuses. Photo: Palombar.
The group dynamics were designed as spaces for reflection and collective creation, and played a central role in this process: the introductory session fostered interpersonal understanding in a light-hearted and relaxed manner; the ‘Network Thinking’ exercise led to the creation of three fictional groups that explored shared values such as interdependence, resource sharing, sustainability and collective transformation; whereas in the co-creation exercises, participants were challenged to imagine joint projects with different timeframes (two months, one year, two years), reflecting on priorities, impact and the relationship with the local area.
Group dynamics encouraged reflection and collective creation. Photo: Palombar.
The meeting culminated in a joint reflection on REGiMont’s objectives, reinforcing its purpose: to facilitate and support regenerative collaborations and partnerships.
More than just formal outcomes, this meeting generated inspiration, alignment and a foundation of trust among participants – fundamental elements for the long-term collaborative process.
The first meeting established and strengthened the bond between participants, which is essential for making steady progress towards the next stages of the project. Photo: Palombar.
Next steps
The first online session is scheduled for 25 May, marking the start of a new phase of collaborative work, with a greater focus on action and co-creation.
The project moves on to the next phase, which focuses on action and co-creation. Photo: Palombar.
The main objectives of the REGiMont cycle are: to foster collaboration by encouraging the submission of at least three joint applications; to map skills and resources in order to create a collaborative digital tool; and to develop thematic manifestos to contribute to environmental and cultural regeneration and eco-construction.
Together, we share a common goal: to regenerate the mountain landscape. Photo: Palombar.
About the REGiMont project
REGiMont – Centre for Mountain Landscape Regeneration is a project developed by Palombar, scheduled for implementation in 2026 and 2027, which aims to strengthen collaboration between collectives and individuals working on the regeneration of the natural and man-made landscape in rural areas of Portugal.
The project is funded by the Regenerative Communities Fund (RCF), a European initiative managed by ECOLISE – European Network of Community-Led Initiatives on Climate Change and Sustainability – and co-funded by the European Union, which supports communities committed to a just environmental and social transition. Palombar is part of this programme as one of 15 European organisations recognised as “Demonstrators”, distinguished for their expertise in community regeneration.
Based on the conviction that partnerships rooted in integrated and targeted collaboration enhance regenerative impact, REGiMont aims to be an active space for meeting, co-creation and the development of collective solutions for rural areas.