The South of Italy Will Pay You $33,000 USD to Move There
In an effort to revitalize its massive number of small but beautiful villages.
The southern Italian region of Calabria is planning to offer $33,000 USD to those looking to move into one of its many villages.
The program comes as part of Calabria’s plans on reversing population decline. Over 75 percent of the towns in the region carry fewer than 5,000 residents each, and the Italian government hopes to revitalize these areas and overcome a shrinking and aging population with the new offer.
There are a few requirements though. Those looking to apply have to be 40 years of age or below and commit to either start a small business, purchase an existing one, or be a professional needed by the village.
“We want this to be an experiment of social inclusion,” says Gianpietro Coppola, the mayor of Altomonte. “Draw people to live in the region, enjoy the settings, spruce up unused town locations such as conference halls and convents with high-speed internet. Uncertain tourism and the one euro houses are not the best ways to revamp Italy’s south.”
“The goal is to boost the local economy and breathe new life into small-scale communities,” adds Gianluca Gallo, a regional councilor. “We want to make demand for jobs meet supply, that’s why we’ve asked villages to tell us what type of professionals they’re missing to attract specific workers.”
Applications to join the program are expected to launch in the coming weeks.
Elsewhere in travel-related news, Valmont is opening four luxury residences in Switzerland, Greece, Italy and Spain.
