Castellolí fights depopulation with an innovative initiative to revitalize local trade.
Depopulation in rural areas has become a pressing issue in Spain. Many communities are desperately seeking ways to counteract the exodus of their residents. A particularly innovative solution now comes from Castellolí, a small municipality in the province of Barcelona with just 651 inhabitants. The town council has launched a remarkable initiative: a free house and a subsidy of 15,000 euros for anyone willing to take over a grocery store in the municipality.
A Double Win: New Residents and Thriving Commerce
This unique action pursues two main goals: firstly, to attract new neighbors who will bring fresh life into the village. Secondly, to revitalize the much-needed local trade. Currently, Castellolí only has a bakery and a pharmacy. A supermarket or a comprehensive grocery store is completely missing. This forces most elderly residents to do their shopping in neighboring towns – a situation that could soon change thanks to this initiative.
The Historic Cal Peret: A House with Potential
For this project, the Castellolí town hall is providing the historic “Cal Peret” building. This house, excellently located on the main street (Avenida Unió), has commercial premises on the ground floor. It previously housed a tobacco shop, a general store, and a bakery, thus offering the ideal infrastructure for a new grocery store. Its proximity to the town hall, bakery, health center, and La Brillante cultural center makes this location even more attractive.
15,000 Euro Subsidy and the Masovería Model
The town council will grant a subsidy of 15,000 euros to modernize and equip the premises according to the needs of a grocery store. In return, the store is expected to offer local products, especially food from the Conca d’Òdena Agricultural Park and the Montserrat Landscape Park.
Another attractive aspect of the offer is the so-called urban Masovería model. This system allows new tenants to inhabit and maintain the property without paying rent. This significantly reduces operating costs, making the offer particularly appealing for new entrepreneurs.
Call to Young People and Couples with Visions
The town council is particularly targeting young people and couples who wish to start a new life in the countryside. There are no strict requirements for the application, but projects dedicated to reviving traditional products such as bread, cheese, or local cured meats will be given preference.
Interested parties have until July 9th at 2:00 PM to apply via the public procurement platform. This is a unique opportunity to become part of a vibrant community while making an important contribution to local supply. Further information can be found on the Castellolí municipal website.
