In a few weeks the definitive approval of an initiative could arrive that opens the doors to a unique housing opportunity: move to Trentino with the economic support of the Autonomous Province of Trento. This project has the aim of revitalizing small local communities, as explained Ileana Olivo, manager of the provincial unit dedicated to the mission to Corsera: “It is an initiative aimed at promoting social cohesion and encouraging the arrival of new inhabitants in the least populous centers”.
The plan provides for lost contributions for those who buy and renovate properties in the Trentino municipalities affected by depopulation. The funds can be used both to make the house a primary residence and to rent it in a calm fee for workers or new residents. In total, 33 municipalities affected by the initiative are characterized by the presence of numerous buildings in a state of abandonment and the need for significant building recovery.
Those who decide to renovate their own home in one of these territories will be able to obtain up to 80,000 euros of contribution for an intervention with a total cost of 200,000 euros, with a coverage of 40% in historic centers and 35% in other areas. In addition, those who come from outside the municipality and want to buy a property in one of these areas will benefit from a further incentive of up to 20,000 euros.
All those who have or intend to acquire a right of ownership or enjoyment on a property may require the contribution, with the possibility of obtaining financing up to a maximum of three housing units. The initiative is designed for those who do not already reside in the common recipients of the project, unless they are exceeded 45 years of age. The acceptance of the applications will take place in several stages, with periods of collection of about 3-4 months each. This approach will allow to draw up progressive rankings and allow the first beneficiaries to start the works already by the end of the year.
The new repopulation plan
After the closure of each tranche, the administrative body will have 60 days for the assignment of contributions. Those who quickly complete the bureaucratic process will be able to obtain financing and start renovations already starting from September. To access the funds, it will be necessary to precisely indicate the property concerned in the application. To avoid speculative phenomena, the Province is considering the possibility of involving real estate agencies and organizing meetings in the area to encourage the match between supply and demand. The analyzes conducted by the Provincial Statistics Institute (ISPAT) have identified 33 municipalities with a significant demographic drop, between -0.3% and -20% in the last ten years. The initiative excludes the centers with a strong tourist vocation, where the decrease in residents is mainly linked to the transformation of housing into accommodation facilities for short rents.
The selection criteria of the territories are based on two main indicators: the decrease in the population and a tourism index calculated based on the relationship between tourist and residents.
The areas concerned
Although the definitive list of the Municipalities must still obtain the official green light by the Council of Local Autonomies and the Provincial Council, between the territories involved, there are areas such as the Val di Non (Bresimo and Livo), the Val di Sole (Rabbi and Vermiglio), the judges with three villas, Bondone and Borgo Chiese. Vallagarina with Terragnolo and the Cimbra community of Luserna also fall among the pre -selected locations.
In the Valsugana, among the municipalities concerned we find Palù del Fersina, Castello Tesino, Cinte Tesino and Grigno, while in Val di Cembra there are Sovere and Giovo. The project also involves the valleys of Primiero (Sagron Mis, Mezzano and Canal San Bovo), Fiemme and Fassa (Valfloriana and Campitello di Fassa).
The initiative represents an important opportunity to counter the demographic decline of many Trentino locations, favoring the building recovery and arrival of new inhabitants. Through this plan of incentives, the autonomous province of Trento aims to relaunch historic villages and create new opportunities for those who want to live in a mountain environment, immersed in nature and tradition.
Coliving against depopulation
From the Trentino mountain to the Apulian Apennines, small Italian villages fight against depopulation with innovative initiatives that center people in the center. The theme is at the center of the report On newsstands with the new number of Christian Family that also touches Trentino: in Luserna (TN), in fact, the coliving project “Come and live in Luserna” has brought new life to the Cimbra community, attracting four families and restoring vitality to the country. “Lusérn Iz Moi Lånt” (Luserna today is my country), says Stefano Fabris, photographer who moved from Padua with his family. Thanks to the optical fiber and a cohesive community, these new families have found a balance between work and mountain life, actively contributing to the local community as voluntary firefighters or members of the Pro loco.
The success of the project led to its expansion in Canal San Bovo, always in Trentino and has shown that, with the right policies, the mountain can return to attract families and young people. “We tried with the factories, but they didn’t work. Offering houses and services to motivated people proved to be the winning choice»Explains Andrea Golo, head of the project.
The problem of depopulation concerns all of Italy: according to Istat data, the internal areas, which cover 60% of the national territory, have lost 5% of the population from 2014 to 2024. The South is the most affected area, with a loss of 2.5 million inhabitants since 2002. “Italy has been under 1.5 children for women since 1984, creating a negative spiral that impoverishes the active population»Explains the demographer Alessandro Rosina. The solution, according to Luciano Malfer, an expert in territorial policies, passes through a “People Strategy”: investing in services, flexible work, digitization and innovative life models such as coliving and coworking.
Similar experiences emerge in other areas of Italy. In San Leo (RN), the recovery of the oven and the minimarket, led by the Fer-Smenti Leontine cooperative, has restored vitality to the village and created new opportunities for young people. “Three of our six bakers are under 20 years old and are learning the profession from the old baker,” says Samuele Nucci, a member of the board.
In the heart of the Dauni Mountains, Biccari (FG) reversed the trend with reception and enhancement policies of the territory. “We reopened 30 houses, encouraged widespread hospitality and created an energy community”, explains the former mayor Gianfilippo Mignogna. Result: a positive migratory balance and new born that guarantee a future for elementary school.
“The future does not expect, it is built”says Malfer. And the small villages of Italy, with their example, show that reversing the tendency to depopulation is not only a utopia, but a possible reality.
