FERIO

Redefining fairs operation by integrating human, digital, and physical resources – Exchange platforms for social cohesion and sustainable development

Long description

Since 2020, the Municipality of Córdoba, Argentina, has endorsed the regularization of Social Economy Fairs. These public commercial spaces are designed to provide self-managed employment opportunities and foster economic empowerment among the city’s most vulnerable communities. Presently, the municipal registry lists over 3,600 vendors participating in 60 fairs.

In this context, my research focused on the fairs’ operations and the challenges faced by participants, including limited information access and administrative complexity. This investigation led to the creation of Ferio, a Product-Service System featuring a mobile app to streamline key operational processes within the fairs. It allows stallholders to register, search for and reserve spots, and gain access to the stalls via QR codes. Ferio is designed to enhance and promote urban fairs as platforms for social cohesion, sustainable development, economic and climate resilience. Additionally, it facilitates data collection and analysis on fair operations, supporting the development of effective improvement strategies.