A Glimmer of Hope in Rural Spain

As I walked through the winding cobblestone streets of Benarraba, a picturesque Andalusian village nestled in the mountains, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of wonder. The village, with its quaint white-washed buildings and lush green surroundings, seemed to be alive with a vibrant energy. It was as if the village was pulsing with the rhythm of a community that was not just surviving, but thriving.

Source: media.cntraveler.com

I was here to experience the magic of Rooral, a program that hosts remote workers in Benarraba for up to two months and facilitates connections between visitors and local residents of all ages. By operating as both a co-working and co-living hub, Rooral is injecting new energy, creativity, and money into the region.

Source: media.cntraveler.com

The village of Benarraba is a far cry from the depopulated rural towns that have become a concern in Spain. Many of these towns are at risk of total desolation, with 42% of the country’s 8,000 villages facing a bleak future. However, Rooral’s presence has brought a sense of hope and renewal to Benarraba. The program’s founder, Juan Barbed, witnessed firsthand how digital nomads could help reinvigorate rural communities and traditions after working remotely in over 40 countries himself.

Source: media.cntraveler.com

‘I wanted to build something where the community is at the core,’ Barbed says. ‘If it doesn’t work for them, it makes no sense.’ This philosophy is at the heart of Rooral’s approach, which encourages participants to get involved in community events, learn Spanish, and even host their own workshops to share a slice of home. I spent my free time painting with a crew of local women, affectionately called ‘the grandmas’ among Rooral members, or helping a neighbor tend to his herb garden and pick oranges from a grove on the mountainside.

One weekend, I visited Crestellina, a nearby farm, to learn about traditional goat farming and make cheese. I ventured to adjacent villages where large-scale art installations are scattered throughout the hills. Other days, I’d stay in town and opt for a hike before ending the day practicing my Spanish with locals and new friends over tinto de verano at the bar.

‘It’s nice to see new faces in the village,’ says Anabel Zurdo, who has lived in Benarraba since she was a kid. ‘Rooral participants have taught me that everyone can fit in.’ The sense of community is palpable in Benarraba, where locals and visitors come together to share meals, stories, and laughter. It’s a place where tradition and innovation blend seamlessly, where the past and present coexist in perfect harmony.

Rooral’s impact goes beyond the village itself. The program generates much-needed income in low season from home rentals, bars, and local businesses. According to Barbed, a single Rooral guest infuses about $1,765 into the local economy each month. Many of the village’s whitewashed homes are only occupied during the warmer summer months, so Rooral provides social and economic stimulation at times when the town is historically less populated.

For now, Rooral only operates in Benarraba, but similar programs are starting to pop up across Spain. With any excess funds invested in local projects, the Rooral team is working to create resources so other villages can replicate the model. ‘One program like ours can’t save all villages, and the only way for an initiative like this to work is to advance at the speed of trust,’ Barbed says.

As I prepared to leave Benarraba, I felt a sense of loss, but also a sense of hope. Rooral has shown me that even in the most rural and seemingly isolated communities, there is always a glimmer of hope. It’s a reminder that even the smallest actions can have a profound impact, and that community and connection are the keys to a brighter future.

As I walked away from Benarraba, I knew that I would never forget the lessons I learned in this small village in Spain. Rooral has given me a new perspective on community, tradition, and innovation, and I will carry it with me for the rest of my life.