The Fixar program nurtures connections with rural life in Galicia, bringing together locals who have recently settled in the countryside, already live there, or are planning a transition. Through immersive coliving at Anceu Coliving from July to October, participants—including photographers, designers, and entrepreneurs—had the chance to collaborate, share insights, and explore ways to launch their projects in rural areas. Fixar fosters a supportive network, making rural transitions feasible while fueling professional growth and community resilience.
In our upcoming post, we’ll explore how shared intelligence crafted spaces for meaningful connection.
First step: Building Connections Through Shared Knowledge and Skill Sharing
A foundational step in Fixar was creating spaces for participants to share knowledge and skills. From day one, we encouraged workshops and skill-sharing sessions, allowing enthusiastic individuals to contribute their expertise to the community. These exchanges fostered the initial steps toward building relationships through simple, engaging activities. To set an example, we hosted an introductory session, sharing Anceu Coliving’s mission and our collaborative work with Rural Hackers, illustrating our approach to creativity and rural innovation.
Participants at Fixar brought a wealth of talents to share, making each session unique and enriching. Oscar from Bregal NGO taught us about European mobility programs, María introduced head massage techniques, and Carolina led botanical watercolor painting. David’s from Ropi Madera covered DIY basics, Agatha from Cowonders NGO discussed nonviolent communication, and Javi Cebreiros spoke about building empathetic, supportive relationships. Laura from Patas de Peixe guided us through Galician medicinal plants, and Inma from A Word to Travel shared insights on digital marketing and remote business. Finally, with Catuxa, we enjoyed her musical art, adding a creative, uplifting touch to our shared experiences.
Step 2: cultural immersion by doing things with the local community
We also collaborated with local community members, learning about their projects, visions, and initiatives to foster deeper connections with the area. For example, we designed signs for the forest to enrich community spaces, contributing to the “Pegadas do Recordo” initiative. We discovered Solfami, a local music association, where we dined, danced, and experienced traditional music. Additionally, we connected with local entrepreneurs like Elisabet from Zengoala, joining her for a workshop in her technique that blends drawing and meditation, further immersing us in the community’s culture.
Step 3: The Making Spaces Workshop
The third and perhaps most essential phase was connecting through the simplest, most magical elements of life. For us, it began with letting nature work its magic—bringing calm, peace, light, new ideas, and fresh perspectives. Our furry friends added to this charm, along with the little wonders nature provided: gathering mushrooms, collecting chestnuts, watching a sunset, strolling through the village, or enjoying a rainy afternoon by the fire. These moments crafted a unique, grounding rhythm that shaped our connection to the place and each other.
Today, we have built connections throughout Galicia, north to south, east to west, with people who embrace rural life as a meaningful way of living. In this slower pace, away from urban stress, we find spaces for genuine exchanges and simple inspiration—just with boots, a tracksuit, and rain gear.
Our rural community is here to stay, offering support through shared experiences and strong connections. Heartfelt thanks to my team, especially Se, Nacho, Noelia, Rosabel, Alejandra and Agus, whose collaboration has made this vision for rural living a reality.
