Micropobles: the fight to keep Catalonia's smallest villages alive

Imagine a life without the rush of the city: less traffic, no noise, birds chirping, and being surrounded by nature. But what if your entire neighborhood consisted of just 30 people, with little to no shops or bars? That’s what life is like in a "micropoble." 

The term "micropoble" (translated to: microvillage) refers to small villages in Catalonia, which are part of municipalities with fewer than 1,000 inhabitants. There are more than 480 micropobles in Catalonia, representing over half of all municipalities, yet they are home to only 2.5% of the population. Many of these villages are located in rural and mountainous areas, particularly in the provinces of Lleida, Girona, Tarragona, and in the Pyrenees. 

Through years of urban expansion and modernization, these microvillages have faced numerous challenges in their struggle to endure, with their biggest challenge today being depopulation. 

Many people, especially younger generations, leave their rural villages for bigger cities. The main reasons for this migration are education, job opportunities, and career growth. However, efforts to revitalize these micropobles are being made at this very moment.  

Marta Solà, a young resident of a micropoble called Freixinet, situated in the municipality of Riner, shares her perspective on leaving for the city and eventually returning: "I moved to Barcelona for my studies but deep down, I always knew I wanted to come back. The sense of community, the slower pace, and the connection with nature, these things don’t exist in the city. Many of us leave because we have to, but we return because we want to."  

Her story reflects the broader struggle of rural villages: while opportunities often lie elsewhere, the lifestyle and culture of micropobles remain irreplaceable for those who call them home. 

After studying architecture in the city of Barcelona, Marta returned to her roots that lay in Freixinet. ''I returned afterwards because I like working in the village and appreciate having my friends and family near. It was a very important decision to come back here.''  When asked if she would want to live in her micropoble for the rest of her life, she responds: ''In a dream life, yes.'' 

During her time studying and living in Barcelona, Marta always returned to Freixinet at weekends. ''My family, my friends and I have this joke about Riner being the center of the world. Here you can express yourself and build your personality.'' 

Currently Marta works on various projects, including with her parents in the municipality of Riner, where they have their business: working with wood and iron to make furniture and other interior projects.  

Adapted policies 

The Associació de Micropobles de Catalunya, a non-profit organization, represents these small municipalities in Catalonia’s rural areas. It works on policies to promote sustainability and fight the challenges these villages face, giving them a voice in governance and improving the quality of life for their residents. 

Joan Solà, president of the Associació de Micropobles and mayor of Riner, a municipality 110km northwest of Barcelona with just over 250 inhabitants, explains the significance of these villages: "Life in a micropoble is different. It has many advantages, but also some challenges. The Association of Micropobles constantly fights to resolve these issues so that all inhabitants can enjoy services that are at least comparable to, or on par with what is considered normal." 

One of the biggest issues is the lack of essential services, such as internet access, housing, shops, bars, and rural schools. Without improving these, depopulation within these villages remains a serious threat.