Restoring Small Villages: Projects Ranging from Affordable Homes to Emerging Start-ups Combat Declining Populations
In an effort to combat depopulation and revitalize several Sardinian villages, various initiatives are underway. One such initiative is the "Find" campaign, which was initially launched to relaunch the town of Ollolai, but has since expanded beyond Sardinia [1][2].
The mayor of Ollolai, Francesco Columbu, has been at the forefront of local efforts to combat decades of population decline in this mountainous village. One of the most notable measures is the "1 Euro homes" scheme, where buyers are required to renovate and inhabit abandoned properties, thereby stimulating the local economy and repopulating the area [3].
The "Find" campaign has garnered attention, with the page receiving a total of 150,000 visitors. In response to the mayor's post inviting people to build their European escape in Sardinia, specifically in the Blue Zone of Ollolai, there were reportedly 30,000 requests for clarification from the USA in a single day [1].
The town of Ollolai gained further attention when it was featured in a Dutch reality show, although this was met with "square elections" by the town's inhabitants [2]. The initiative in Ollolai has since been replicated in other parts of Italy.
Meanwhile, the Happy Village project in Fluminimaggiore, led by lawyer Efisio Arbau, aims to revitalize the village in a similar manner, although it is not part of the "Find" campaign [4]. The project aims to transform Fluminimaggiore into a dispersed residence for the elderly "and not only", with houses and services [4].
To address challenges related to remoteness and economic viability, Ollolai has also launched a "Work from Ollolai" program. This program offers extremely low monthly rentals (€1) to digital nomads willing to spend a month in the village and share skills with locals, especially in modern work practices [5].
The government of Sardinia has also introduced financial incentives for small towns with up to 5,000 inhabitants, including a €600 monthly bonus for each child born, adopted, or fostered to encourage families to settle in these areas. Additional support includes housing grants and business subsidies designed to bolster development and improve living conditions [4].
These combined efforts—local leadership initiatives, regional financial incentives, property renovation requirements, and innovative work-from-village programs—form a multifaceted strategy to revitalize depopulated Sardinian villages by attracting new residents, revitalizing the housing market, and stimulating the local economy.
The "Find" campaign, initially launched to revitalize the town of Ollolai in Sardinia, has expanded its focus beyond home-and-garden renovations to sustainable living experimentations, aiming to appeal to individuals seeking a lifestyle change in Europe's Blue Zones. In Ollolai, the Happy Village project replicates the initiative's goals by transforming the village into a dispersed residence for retirees and others, offering services and houses for residents.
