Cosenza's CosMo Project: Digital Hub Revitalizes Historic Center
La Rivoluzione delle Seppie (LRDS), a transdisciplinary group of international creative nomads, launched CosMo – Cosenza Micromondi, a digital platform connecting small businesses in Cosenza's old town. Funded by the city's Agenda Urbana program with EU cohesion funds, CosMo aims to map and support local enterprises, reactivate three cultural hubs (Cinema Italia, Casa delle Culture, LabOratorio in San Gaetano church), and reverse decades of marginalization. The project builds on LRDS's earlier success in Belmonte Calabro, where they transformed an abandoned building into a creative residence with the Metropolitan University of London. Coordinator Rita Elvira Adamo emphasizes 'cura' (care) for fragile places and relationships. Councilor Francesco Alimena notes the program, launched in 2017 but stalled until 2021, concluded December 2023 with 11 public works, 12 businesses funded, 19 third-sector entities supported, 13 new social housing units, 32 public housing renovations, 3 new public spaces, and energy upgrades to two elementary schools. Three cultural poles reopened in 4.0 versions. The project created 3 permanent jobs, 48 skill-building placements, and 12 apprenticeships. A new Agenda Urbana 2021-27 is being planned.
Key facts
- CosMo – Cosenza Micromondi is a digital hub connecting small businesses in Cosenza's historic center.
- The project is led by La Rivoluzione delle Seppie (LRDS), a transdisciplinary group of international creatives.
- CosMo is funded by the Agenda Urbana program of the Municipality of Cosenza, using EU cohesion funds.
- The project aims to reactivate three cultural hubs: Cinema Italia, Casa delle Culture, and LabOratorio (in San Gaetano church).
- LRDS previously succeeded with a project in Belmonte Calabro, transforming an abandoned building into a creative residence with the Metropolitan University of London.
- The Agenda Urbana program was launched in 2017 but stalled until the current administration took office in December 2021.
- The program concluded on December 31, 2023, with 11 public works, 12 businesses funded, and 19 third-sector entities supported.
- Outcomes include 13 new social housing units, 32 public housing renovations, 3 new public spaces, and energy upgrades to two elementary schools.
- Three cultural poles reopened in a 4.0 version: Casa delle Culture, Cinema Teatro A. Tieri, and LabOratorio di San Gaetano.
- The project created 3 permanent jobs, 48 skill-building placements, and 12 apprenticeships.
- A new Agenda Urbana 2021-27 is being planned, building on the acquired know-how.
Entities
Artists
- Rita Elvira Adamo
- Francesco Alimena
- Carolina Chiatto
Institutions
- La Rivoluzione delle Seppie (LRDS)
- Metropolitan University of London
- Comune di Cosenza
- Agenda Urbana Cosenza Rende
- Regione Calabria
- Unione Europea
- ONU
- Cinema Italia
- Casa delle Culture
- LabOratorio di San Gaetano
- Cinema Teatro A. Tieri
- Artribune
Locations
- Cosenza
- Italia
- Belmonte Calabro
- Calabria
- Mediterraneo
- San Gaetano
- Cosenza vecchia