Argentina was selected for our proof of concept. This country with social economic and political complexity is positioned first in the ranking of countries suffering the rural-to-urban migration trend, it has 92% of people living in urban areas.
We partnered with the government of the Santa Fe Province with the help of the Swiss Embassy, and, we identified Colonia Belgrano, a beautiful small village of 1000 inhabitants, selected among 14 villages losing population in a vast region of 80’000 inhabitants, located only 150 km away from a 2 fast growing cities.
Key methodology principles to achieve sustainability:
- The model is based on a brief intervention with a clear structured plan including preparation, implementation and exit.
- It is carried out in cooperation with its beneficiaries and governments, empowered for further development, and committed to local resources.
- Unlocking begins at the economic pillar, as 70% of migration worldwide is due to economic reasons. A list of opportunities to attract migration is evaluated and proposed.
- It is essential to list all possible businesses, broadening the traditional spectrum seen in previous decades that reduced the market only to agricultural opportunities. Today with technology, this has changed the opening to businesses that are performed in cities.
- It is key to success to give visibility to opportunities and to match properly, including coaching and transition mentoring to support all the pillars.
- The generation of a “migration package” with incentives is paramount.
- Not only for business, but also for the welcome of newcomers and to provide necessary infrastructure (housing and health, education, and other services).
“Numbers has an important story to tell, and we would like to make sure that you envision with us what this numbers mean.”
20’000 families applied to move to Colonia Belgrano. Only 20 families were sought.
1 YEAR:
10% : a village that for decades had been losing population increased its population by 10%.
3 YEARS:
The families went from informal self-employment in the cities to entrepreneurial best practices.
Today are tax-payers.
+20 new businesses in Colonia Belgrano
15% employment growth
3% additional organic re-migration (families with own resources, they did not need loans and with not direct support of our team were attracted to re-migrate to the pilot village).
+ 20 homes in permanent rent. Housing capacity with full occupancy.
The Santa Fe government invested funds to build 20 homes in the village. The pioneer families owns this homes (which partially built themselves) and payback loans in a 20 years period.
The market in Europe reacted to our pilot.
Villages which took place to the “Empty Spain” movement, claiming for investments to keep their population, to be repopulated took contact with our foundation; as well the 240,000 people who reacted to our Facebook post on the “Welcome to my village” fan page “The Molise region of Italy offers you support to migrate” to re-migrate to the villages and nature.
Thousands of families leave their messages on our fan pages and send emails to be part of the program. Villages contact us to take the chance to boost their population, again.
20’000 families applied to move to Colonia Belgrano. Only 20 families were sought.
A village that for decades had been losing population increased its population by 10% in 1 year .
With our program, the families went from informal self-employment in the cities to entrepreneurial best practices. In a period of 3 years 15 families established 23 new businesses in Colonia Belgrano, employed 26 neighbors from the village and the region, and created 7 new associations.
7 more families with own resources (they did not need loans) and with not direct support of our team were attracted to move in the first year. Having concluded the pilot 27 more families are currently receiving support to move to the pilot village, they will rent, buy a house or land and establish their businesses.
The Santa Fe government invested funds to build 20 homes in the village. Our families owns this homes (which partially built themselves) and payback loans in a 20 years period. Before finishing the pilot, the government proposed 3 new villages and committed to build 60 more homes to repopulate them.
Last month, 240’000 people reacted to our “Bienvenidos a mi pueblo” fanpage facebook publication “Molise Region in Italy, offers you support to migrate”.
