 Riace has also reached worldwide attention through its innovative approach to dealing with refugees, as led by Mayor Domenico Lucano, in the context of European migrant crisis.As of January 2011, about 450 refugees from 20 countries had settled there among the 1,800 inhabitants, revitalising the village and preventing the closure of the village school.The mayor, Domenico Lucano, came second runner-up in the 2010 World Mayor competition.