Via economical homes and burgeoning businesses: regional endeavors designed for revitalizing small, fading villages
In an effort to combat depopulation in rural areas, towns like Ollolai and Fluminimaggiore in Sardinia, Italy, have undertaken various initiatives aimed at economic, social, and real estate renovation.
The "1 Euro House" Program
One such initiative is the "1 Euro House" program, where buyers can purchase abandoned or dilapidated houses for just 1 euro, on the condition that they commit to renovating and structurally securing the property. This program, which has been actively supported by rural communities at risk of depopulation across Italy, including towns in Sardinia, aims to both arrest population decline and stimulate local economies by bringing new residents and investments to these areas.
In Ollolai, the "1 Euro House" program has attracted attention and resulted in hundreds of subscriptions, with several couples moving to the town. The Dutch reality show "judged" by the inhabitants of Ollolai took place in the town, turning it into an open-air set.
Rural Development and Territorial Cooperation Programs
Efforts such as the LEADER program focus on making rural areas more attractive for both residents and tourists by identifying and applying best practices to combat depopulation. These strategies prioritize improving the quality of life, creating economic opportunities, and fostering sustainable tourism development, which are relevant to Sardinian towns facing demographic challenges.
Cultural and Land Reform History
Sardinia’s unique historical context, including land management reforms and the presence of communal lands (ademprivios), influences current efforts. Preservation and careful management of natural resources, such as through reforestation and landscape protection efforts, contribute to environmental sustainability that supports rural vitality.
Fluminimaggiore and the Happy Village Project
While specific programs in Fluminimaggiore are less documented, the town is home to the Happy Village project, which aims to provide houses and services for its residents. The project, led by journalist Marco Corrias, has attracted programmers Marco and Simona, who left Rome to live and work remotely in a village in the Sulcis, drawn by a slower pace of life.
Ollolai's Invitation
The current mayor of Ollolai, Francesco Columbu, posted a message on liveinollolai.com inviting foreigners to move to Ollolai, Sardinia, following Trump’s election victory. The message resulted in thirty thousand requests for clarification from the USA and 150,000 visitors to the website in one day.
In conclusion, Italy and Sardinia employ multi-faceted approaches such as the 1 Euro House program and rural development cooperation projects to revitalize depopulated towns like Ollolai and Fluminimaggiore, combining real estate renewal with economic and environmental sustainability measures. These initiatives reflect a mix of economic incentives, tourism development, cultural preservation, and housing renovation to address depopulation challenges in these areas.
- To further stimulate the local economy in these restored towns, residents and newcomers could implement a sustainable living policy, focusing on eco-friendly home-and-garden practices and promoting the ideology of sustainable-living.
- As part of the LEADER program's initiative to make rural areas more attractive, enhancing lifestyle opportunities can be considered, such as encouraging the development of communal spaces or facilities for sustainable-living education, fostering a sense of community and economy in Sardinia's depopulated towns.
