Catalonia will launch the Arrel programme in June, with €2.1 million in aid to create and maintain businesses in micro-towns across the region. The Generalitat says the scheme is designed to strengthen social cohesion and help tackle depopulation.
The programme will support multi-service establishments, spaces that combine catering, everyday services and community meeting areas. It will also provide technical support, with the first call for applications due to open on 8 June.
One existing model is El Sindicat in Olvan, in Berguedà, where a former workers’ union building has been turned into a community services hub. It includes a farm shop, cafeteria, co-working space, cultural activities and a municipal kitchen that serves an average of 100 meals a day.
Olvan’s project began after the town lost its food shops and grew through a participatory process with residents. Mayor Sebastià Prat, of the CUP, said the aim is for people to meet, eat together and keep basic services close to home. He said the model matters in small towns where residents may otherwise need to travel to nearby municipalities for essentials.
The Arrel scheme has three aid lines. The first supports local councils that carry out works and create new establishments, with subsidies covering up to 80% of investment and a maximum of €18,000 per project. The second supports the operation and consolidation of council-backed establishments. The third is for existing private businesses in rural municipalities, with aid covering up to 50% of expenses and capped at €5,000.
Government sources say the €2.1 million should support around 50 projects in 2026, and that the programme is expected to run annually. The aid can cover works, equipment and running costs such as staff, supplies, marketing and digital tools. Chambers of Commerce will also provide technical support on business models, viability and manager recruitment. For more on regional policy coverage, see our Catalonia news tag.