“On the road to transformation, the Caravan of the Entrepreneur is the fuel that drives dreams, ideas and businesses towards success and positive change.”

The Caravan of the Entrepreneur – Changing Portugal project, conceived by Luciana Castelli and supported by AFURNA (Association of Former Residents of Vilarinho da Furna), OMNI Master Investments, among other partners, is a travelling motorhome with a clear mission: to empower communities through entrepreneurship. On board, workshops, talks and a wide range of resources are taken directly to small towns and villages, both in Portugal and Spain. The aim is to strengthen local entrepreneurship, reinforce regional cultures and traditions, and promote innovation and knowledge where they are most needed. At each stop, an atmosphere of cooperation is created: the Caravan provides practical management tools and encourages the creation of support networks among local entrepreneurs.

Innovation on the Move and International Cooperation

The Caravan goes beyond national borders. Through the International Cooperation Project “Uniting Borders and Weaving Opportunities”, it extends its routes to Galicia, strengthening cultural and economic ties between Portugal and Spain. On board, traditional crafts (such as linen and wool) are valued while new creative ideas are fostered: local artists and artisans receive technical training, learning how to innovate in their production without losing cultural authenticity. This cross-border cooperation builds networks within border communities, encouraging cultural and commercial exchange. In every city visited – from Póvoa de Lanhoso to Madrid – the Caravan leaves seeds of change: it shares successful experiences (such as the award-winning projects Lindo Linho and Linda Lã, born in Terras de Bouro) and introduces knowledge that can be applied locally. In this way, consolidated projects from one region become a source of inspiration for another.

Impact on Local Communities«

• Job and income creation: through practical courses and workshops (for example, in linen and wool craftsmanship), the Caravan trains local labour to make use of endogenous resources. The Lindo Linho brand, for instance, offers several regional training programmes to develop producers and artisans, expanding employment and income opportunities within communities.
• Enhancement of local traditions: projects supported by the Caravan revive ancestral knowledge. The initiatives “Requalification of Artisan Linen” and “Requalification of Bordaleira Wool” gave rise to the brands Lindo Linho and Linda Lã, which modernised traditional weaving and knitting techniques. By replicating these experiences in new locations, the Caravan strengthens cultural pride and encourages innovation built on historical foundations.
• Strengthening local entrepreneurship: through travelling consultancy services, business planning workshops, cost control and risk management, the project encourages rural entrepreneurs to think big. In many towns, young people and small business owners now have access to practical knowledge to structure and grow their businesses. These activities stimulate proactivity and help diversify local economies, creating an ecosystem conducive to entrepreneurship.
• Cooperation and cultural exchange: beyond its economic impact, the Caravan promotes exchange between communities. Portuguese cities such as Póvoa de Lanhoso, Vila do Conde, Esposende, Arcos de Valdevez, Vieira do Minho, Viana do Castelo and Vila Verde, among others, as well as Spanish locations (Bueu, Moaña, Aldeia do Couso – “El Paseo de la Lana”, and Madrid), have hosted this initiative. In each of them, meetings and artistic events bring audiences closer together, expanding markets for artisans and strengthening Portuguese–Spanish ties.