An initiative for rural repopulation
The Ricolta de Beget cooperative, located in Ripollès, has launched the ‘Repoblant Rurals’ program, which offers training and recruitment to the cooperative’s workers, as well as accommodation in an apartment for a maximum of two months. This initiative aims to contribute to rural repopulation through essential businesses, such as the bakery.
Diversity of participants and perspectives
The promoters of the project have expressed the good reception it has had, with a waiting list and a wide variety of profiles of aspirants. Priority is given to those people with training in bread making and with the intention of opening a rural business.
A prominent example is Jose Antonio Santín, an IT professional who has decided to study bread and pastry making to contribute to society and live a quieter life in Beget. After training, he plans to start a local business working with local producers, perhaps through a cooperative.
Support and collaboration
Anabel Botello, one of the promoters, has highlighted the importance of guaranteeing accommodation as a first step, solving a tourist rental problem. This initiative has the support of the Department of Social Economy of the Generalitat of Catalonia through Project Singulars.
In Beget, a town in Camprodon with less than 40 inhabitants, the Ricolta cooperative has already contributed to rural repopulation by opening a bakery after sixty years, and now they want to replicate this success in other parts of Catalonia.
