Small is powerful: Galician San Xoán de Río, winner of the Capitals of Inclusion and Diversity Award

Spain is leading on the podium of the European Capitals of Inclusion and Diversity Award 2026, with gold, silver and bronze prizes in the category of localities with less than 50 000 inhabitants. One of the winners, the bronze prize, is the local authority of San Xoán de Río, part of the EU Local Councillors network. 

“A small municipality with big ambitions” this is how the #DiversityCapitals describes San Xoán de Río. With a little over 500 inhabitants in 2025, the locality has shown strong commitment to their citizens, as well to the EU Local Councillors network (Music and dance for Europe Day in Spain’s San Xoán de Río and From local roots to European impact: celebrating one year of connection and engagement!). A commitment reflected at all levels: engaging of the youth in EU debates (see EU talk for students in Spain’s San Xoán de Río and The youth’s vital role in the future plans of the EU – event in Spain), supporting their senior residents and tackling the rural life’s challenges with a gender perspective. San Xoán de Río has already several initiatives implemented proving this commitment. 

“We are the cradle of longevity, the EU place where you live the longest. We are now working to ensure that we are also the ones who live the best”,  Mayor José Miguel Pérez Blecua, member of the EU Local Councillors network, describes the spirit of San Xoán de Río. One great example of supporting their elders is the project VoaComida, which translates to “Flying Food”. Through this initiative, the elders living in secluded or difficult to access rural areas receive nutritious, healthy and complete meals with drones. These are prepared with products from nearby areas and delivered in sustainable packaging. The vocational training centre Manual Antonio de Vigo is leading the initiative and its students are very dedicated to this project. 

As Mayor José Miguel Pérez Blecua explains, people in San Xoán de Río take pride in this EU Capital of Inclusion and Diversity Award, as it challenges a generalised perception about the lack of future and disadvantages of living in rural areas. San Xoán de Río’s ambition is now to apply again for these awards, as the next objective is getting the gold. The award helped people from this community see that everything they do locally can have an impact at the European level. That shows them that they are on the right track and encourages them to keep growing and working together.  

Another inspiring example from San Xoán de Río is the Rural University Hub - an ecosystem turning the municipality into an international meeting point between universities, startups, technology centres, administrations and rural areas’ representatives. Mayor José Miguel Pérez Blecua thinks that the project shows indeed how innovation, entrepreneurship and university education can also come from a small mountain village.

European Capitals of Inclusion and Diversity Award recognises, gives visibility to and highlights local authorities' (towns, cities and regions) best practices in creating more inclusive environments for their citizens, in alignment with EU values equality, diversity and inclusion. 
More about #DiversityCapitals outcome here.