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The region of Molise, Italy, east of Rome has announced it will pay people more than $27,000 to move to one of 106 villages in an effort to prevent their communities from dissapearing.
Anyone who takes up the offer will receive about $770 a month for up to three years to help them settle in an the area known for its green pastures, olive groves and snowy mountain tops CNN reported.
"I want my region to undergo a renaissance and avoid its authentic villages turning into ghost towns. We need to safeguard our roots."
There is a catch for anyone wanting to relocate to one of the towns. In order to receive the payment, newcomers will have to start a business to help kickstart the economy.
“Newcomers are free to kick-start anything they please in order to get our financial support: a small inn, restaurant, bar, B&B, a tiny rural farm, artisan boutique, library or shop selling local gourmet excellences,” Tedeshi told CNN.
Molise is a region well known for its beautiful rolling peaks, locally produced cheeses and ancient Christmas festivals. It also has a population far lower than the national average.
According to the Italian National Institute of Statistics, 9,000 people have moved away from the region since 2014. In 2018, no births were registered in nine Molise towns.
If you're already day-dreaming about moving to the picturesque towns in Italy, it's good to keep a few things in mind.
You're going to have to brush up on those Italian language skills!
The towns taking part in the incentive must have a population under 2000 people, so get ready for some very small town living.
Instead of sipping on red wine and eating fine breads all day, you'll be working hard to establish a business in an already suffering economy.
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