The town awaits you
The crisis generated by the pandemic has made many individuals, couples and families end up having it clear: their place is in the village, close to nature, far from the thunderous noise of the cities. But how do you know where to go? What house to live in? And, above all, how to support yourself financially in a town?
All these questions are answered by review program , launched by the Valencian Anti-Depopulation Agenda (Avant) and the Valencian Federation of Municipalities and Provinces (FVMP). “This is a pilot program that aims to that there is economic activity in our towns , that services that are important and that those businesses that are being lost are maintained due to lack of generational change. That no bar or bakery be closed due to lack of people, because there are many people outside the rural world who want to return to their origins and to these towns”, explained Jeanette Segarra, general director of Avant, in accordance with the launch of the proposal.
WHERE COULD YOU GO TO LIVE WITH THE REVIU PROGRAM?
To date, there 66 inland municipalities adhered to the program , of which more than half are from Castellón, 18 are from Valencia and 12 are from Alicante. In addition, it is expected that, in the coming months, more will be added. Likewise, FVMP technicians have identified 24 opportunities , either in the form of generational change (with the possibility of employment in bars, hotels, hostels, ovens, etc.) or due to the need to open schools and establish population. Of these twenty opportunities, 13 have been detected in enclaves that are at risk of extinction from Castellon.
Argelita, Almedíjar, Cinctorres, Torralba del Pinar, Cirat, La Yesa, and Matet, The seven towns that were part of the pilot experience that began last September already have new families. And, although applicants can have any profile -as long as they are interested in carrying out an entrepreneurial project in a municipality at risk of depopulation-, most of those welcomed so far have been families.
We introduce you to your new neighbors
"The profiles of the people who apply are very varied, but it should be noted that 85% have been families with children , with the desire to establish themselves in a rural municipality, provide their family with a better quality of life and have an entrepreneurial profile. Other 6% are people who telecommute , 2% retired people, 5% young couples without children and 2%, associations", they explain to us from the agency.
"We can welcome in the municipalities as many people as opportunities are detected , with the aim that those who move have a life project and an economic livelihood that guarantees them to be able to settle in said municipality", these experts continue.
HOW DOES THE REVIU PROGRAM WORK?
From the FVMP they tell us that the process to enter the program has six parts:
1. Interested people contact, through a web form, those responsible for the program. In it they present their business idea, their work experience and their needs and expectations in the rural area, including data such as the price they are willing to pay for their home, if it has any special requirements, if they need a school...
2.The FVMP technical staff performs a interview with the applicant(s).
3. The receiving municipalities agree with the interested parties (called "new settlers") a visit to the territory , to know the environment in which they are going to carry out their activity.
4.The new settlers receive advice by the technical staff of the FVMP and the City Council in question so that they can settle on a personal, family and business level with the greatest facilities.
5.people they move to the municipality and start their project business or self-employment and receive the necessary support.
6.After the installation and commissioning of the project, a follow-up of the reception process , to ensure the development of the life project of the new inhabitants in the rural environment.
In this way, those responsible for the program make the municipalities known among the applicants, identify the opportunities for generational change that exist in the territory, advise on presenting the tender or business plan in the town, accompany them throughout the bureaucratic process, facilitate the installation in the municipality and organize the welcome to the municipality, also attending to the needs of schooling of the members of the family unit.
HOW TO BE ONE OF THOSE SELECTED BY THE REVIU PROGRAM?
To become part of the program, as we have already seen, the supplemented web form, a working history, a resume and an interview are required. Also, experience in the service that is required in the municipality is especially valued : management of bars, ovens, hostels, restaurant services, etc. Also having an entrepreneurial profile and having real possibilities of adaptation to the rural environment.
An indeterminate period of time passes from the time a citizen submits their application until they are notified if it has been approved. it depends on the availability of housing and/or time in which the tender will come out of the generational change opportunity. So, if you're thinking about it, send your request: who knows if in a few months you will be watching the sunrise from a window overlooking a healthier and more serene environment.
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