The Sardinian authorities are offering to pay people 15,000 euros each to move them to the island. The purpose of such “generosity” is to populate the rural areas of the region.
Who would have thought that an island with turquoise seas and white sandy beaches could face the problem of underpopulation? But many local residents leave small settlements due to lack of work.
To combat the outflow of the rural population, the authorities offer foreigners 15 thousand euros for resettlement on the coast of Sardinia. However, there is a prerequisite for participation in the program – this money must be used to repair a house in one of the settlements with a population of less than 3,000 people. Among such settlements are Galtelli and Calasetta.
“We have created conditions for young people to decide to stay and economically develop the most vulnerable territories,” said Cristian Solinas, head of the autonomous region of Sardinia.
Relocation applicants should note that the scheme is for a permanent move, not a vacation home. Moreover, the grant cannot exceed 50% of the purchase and repair cost. In total, 105 million euros were allocated for the project.
To receive a grant, applicants must register their place of residence in Sardinia, and they must do so within 18 months of arrival.
This is not the first time that the Italian government has offered monetary incentives for settling in rural areas. Earlier this year, a number of villages in the southern region of Calabria offered young people up to 28,000 euros.
Sardinia is the second largest island in the Mediterranean after Sicily.
