This paper examines the Crossing Cultures initiative in Belmonte Calabro, Italy, as a model for rural revitalisation through university engagement. Since 2016, the initiative has tackled Calabria’s socio-economic challenges by combining education, local involvement, and architectural practices. Students, residents, an NGO, and an architecture collective collaborate to address migration and depopulation through knowledge exchange and community resilience. The paper proposes a governance framework based on Communities of Practice (CoPs) to empower residents through peer learning and capacity-building. Drawing on nine years of work in Belmonte and other self-governing initiatives, the framework consists of four stages: "Rupture," "Activation of Place," "Negotiations and Communities," and "CoPs and the Government." These stages aim to foster local autonomy, accountability, and cultural integration. This paper outlines how Crossing Cultures has completed the first two stages and plans to engage local mayors and stakeholders to advance the final two stages. The focus is on community-led governance and long-term rural sustainability. By empowering communities and attracting a younger, diverse population, the initiative seeks to create a replicable model for rural regeneration. This framework offers a path to enhance social sustainability, ensuring Belmonte’s resilience and vitality for future generations.