The questions we get asked most.
Short answers. If yours isn't here, the Participate page has a way to ask it.
The initiative
What is Mandrem Creator Village?
A collective of people who live, work and build in Mandrem, working towards a version of the village that can grow without losing what makes it worth being in. In practice that means a documentary, a directory, an events calendar and a set of people who show up.
Is it a physical village? Can I move in?
No. Mandrem is a real village in North Goa with its own residents, history and shops. We are not building a compound inside it. There is no gate, no campus and nothing to move into — you find your own place to live here like everyone else.
Is this a coworking space?
No. There is no membership desk, no day pass and no office. If you want somewhere to work, the directory lists cafés and studios that are good for it, and the people who run them are the ones who benefit.
Who runs it?
A handful of residents and contributors, listed on the About page. The directory and calendar are added to by anyone; the collective only reviews submissions before they go live.
Taking part
Is this only for founders and tech people?
No, and we would consider it a failure if it turned out that way. Artists, musicians, cooks, filmmakers, teachers, shopkeepers and people with no particular label are all part of this.
Can people who have always lived here participate?
They are the point. If you run a shop, a kitchen, a service or a home here, the directory exists partly so that new arrivals spend their money with you rather than with whoever has the best Instagram.
Is there a membership or a fee?
No. Nothing here costs money and there is nothing to sign up for.
How do I add my business to the directory?
Use the form on the Participate page. It takes two minutes. A contributor checks the details and it goes live — usually within a few days. It is free and always will be.
How do I get an event on the calendar?
Submit it from the Events page. Anything open to the public and rooted here is welcome: workshops, gigs, screenings, meets, cleanups, festivals. We review for accuracy, not for taste.
Practical
Something in the directory is wrong. How do I fix it?
Every listing has a correction link. Send the fix and it gets updated. Listings we have not yet confirmed with the owner are marked as such.
I am visiting for a week. Is any of this for me?
Yes — use the directory, come to an event, watch the documentary. The one ask is that you treat the village as somewhere people live rather than somewhere people perform.
I want to help. What do you actually need?
Photography, writing, local knowledge, translations, event organising, design, and people willing to verify directory listings by walking in and asking. Say hello from the Participate page.
Still unsure whether this is for you?
It probably is. There is no bar to clear and nothing to be accepted into — just a set of things being built, most of which need more hands.