Good Practices Presented

This case study deals with the issue of village regeneration through a holistic approach.Ostana is a small village based, in Piedmont region (North-West Italy), in Western Alps at 1,300 metres above sea level, with a privileged view on Monviso mountain (3,841 metres). 

In the last century there has been a strong depopulation process, passing from 1,200 inhabitants in 1921 to 5 in 1985. Since then, an innovative repopulation process has been activated and today Ostana counts 80 inhabitants and in summer it hosts about 400-500 tourists.

Berguedà is a county located in the interior of Catalonia. Berguedà has always been sparsely populated land. The main economic activities in Berguedà have been industry and mining, which have suffered strong crises in recent years. It is a region with a great natural heritage and is close to Barcelona. 

The Escola de Pastors de Catalonia, since 12 years ago, offers a theoretical and practical training of 6 months for those people who do not come from a farm family and want to devote themselves to extensive livestock farming in a professional way. The training follows an agro-ecological approach and aims to train people to run family-size farms that are respectful of the natural and social environment, without compromising future resources, viable in the long term and with direct sales to the consumer.