Where exactly is Arenillas and how far is it from civilization?
The town in question is the charming mountain village of Arenillas. It is located in the province of Soria – one of the Spanish regions that suffers the most from the effects of mass depopulation of rural areas. Despite the drastic decline in population, the remaining handful of approximately 40 permanent residents do not intend to give up and actively fight for the survival of their small town.
Although the settlement is quiet and away from noisy tourist resorts, it is not completely cut off from the world. This is where more developed urban infrastructure is available, which new residents will be able to freely use on a daily basis.
What do the village authorities offer?
The offer prepared by the local authorities is extremely specific. In order to attract new citizens, the commune has renovated seven apartments using its own funds in recent years. Thanks to these investments, the organizers can provide interested parties with fully furnished houses for which there is no need to pay rent.
The initiative is also very friendly to families with children. Moreover, the village authorities are well aware of the contemporary realities of the labor market. Therefore, in Arenillas, special emphasis was placed on ensuring a very good and stable Internet connection. This makes the town an ideal destination for people who want to work in a home office.
Who is the commune looking for and what conditions must be met?
The Arenillas authorities are open to applications from various people, but the profile of the ideal candidate is quite specific.
From the perspective of responsibilities, the commune is primarily looking for people willing to take over the management of a local bar or cultural center. This center is the absolute heart of the village – it serves as a place for daily neighborhood meetings, as well as a space for organizing celebrations and local cultural events. Therefore, we expect open-minded people who want to integrate and take care of social ties. To participate in the recruitment process, interested parties must contact the Arenillas municipal administration directly and submit a detailed application.
Trend in Europe: Italy is also looking for volunteers to go to the mountains
It is worth adding that similar initiatives also appear in other countries. The Eurac research center offers a free one-month stay at the Rifugio Nino Corsi (Zufallhütte) shelter in the Stelvio National Park in South Tyrol. Participants will spend time at an altitude of 2,000 to 2,500 meters, and the aim of the project is to investigate the impact of long-term stay at moderate altitudes on human health.
