The initiative, named ‘Som Ruralitats’ (We Are Ruralities), stems from the collaboration between the Sant Isidre de la Fatarella Agricultural Cooperative and the social work cooperative Fites, with the support of the Catalan Government's departments of Agriculture and Business and Labour. The goal is to create an integral model for repopulation and socio-economic development for micro-villages affected by aging populations and the loss of silvopastoral landscapes.
The project aims to provide life opportunities for families in vulnerable situations, offering access to housing and employment, along with comprehensive support. The integration of ten families is planned within the pilot project, with the first arrivals already underway. The economic revitalization of agricultural cooperatives is a fundamental pillar, seeking to diversify their revenue and generate stability.
The creation of a home-based support and delivery service for basic products from the cooperatives' farm shops is also proposed, managed by individuals qualified in caregiving. This service aims to combat loneliness among the elderly and generate employment, with a commitment that 80% of new jobs will be absorbed by the Terra Alta Regional Council.
Other project axes include exploring rural mobility through transport services adapted to residents' needs, and fostering generational renewal in agriculture. The hypothesis is to connect landowners nearing retirement with individuals who wish to farm but lack property, creating brigades of ten people linked to the cooperative.
The expected impact includes the recovery of commercial activities, the integration of shepherds, mentorship for generational succession, and the reclamation of over 50 hectares of abandoned crops. Ten annual work units are projected in the agricultural sector, with the aim that 60% will permanently join the primary sector.
Terra Alta, along with Ribera d'Ebre, is one of the most aged regions in Catalonia, with low contributory pensions and reduced disposable income, making it an ideal testing ground for this model.
The government delegate for Terres de l'Ebre, Joan Castor Gonell, highlighted that the project aligns with the Government's Plan and addresses objectives such as mitigating forest fires, combating depopulation, aging populations, lack of generational renewal, improving elderly care services, and recovering vacant housing.
