Calabria launches Ripopola Calabria to combat depopulation

The Calabria Region has launched a pilot project called “Ripopola Calabria” to combat the depopulation of small villages. Under this experimental program, the regional government will provide 50 homes across 26 municipalities for free for a period of ten years.

The initiative targets individuals who do not currently reside in Calabria and are willing to move to the region permanently. The regional administration will fully fund the renovation and seismic upgrading of these municipal properties, with subsidies reaching up to 2,000 euros per square meter and a maximum cap of 280,000 euros per home.

Selected residents will receive the homes through a free loan for use (comodato d’uso gratuito) rather than ownership. The properties are strictly for residential use and cannot be used for tourism or sub-leased. Eligibility criteria include being an adult who has resided outside of Calabria for at least three years. Priority may be given to families with children, young couples, remote workers, people with disabilities, and professionals in the cultural sector.