In October 2024, I had the prospect to take part in a 15-day rural entrepreneurship program that reawakened my entrepreneurial spirit and deepened my love for rural Galicia. The program, known as Fixar, took me to Anceu Coliving, a singular coliving house tucked into the center of the Galician countryside close to Pontevedra.
Over the years, I’ve roamed the world as a digital nomad, discovering group and creativity in coliving areas from Marrakech to Budapest. Yet Fixar wasn’t simply one other cease alongside the way in which. This initiative felt like a homecoming—a reminder of my roots, my passions, and the transformative potential of rural dwelling. It was about connection: to others, to nature, and to the entrepreneurial spark that had been quietly ready to reignite after two years spent principally at residence, balancing work and motherhood.
What Is Fixar?
Fixar is a groundbreaking rural entrepreneurship initiative, the primary of its form in Galicia, supported by Galicia’s authorities and funded by means of the European Union. With a finances of €123,800, its mission is to revitalize rural Galicia by fostering innovation and sustainable group improvement.
The program happened from July to October 2024, welcoming 60 individuals from various backgrounds. Half have been “ambassadors,” entrepreneurs already based mostly in rural areas, and the opposite half have been people able to embrace rural entrepreneurship. These individuals have been cut up amongst three inspiring coliving and coworking areas: iSlow in Costa da Morte, Sende in Ourense, and my residence for 2 weeks, Anceu Coliving.
The overarching purpose of Fixar is straightforward but profound: to show that rural areas, usually seen as quiet and sleepy, could be vibrant facilities of creativity and alternative, rivaling city hubs like Madrid or Lisbon.
Why I Joined Fixar
It had been some time since I participated in something remotely like this. Life had shifted dramatically over the previous few years. After giving delivery to my daughter, my days revolved round her, and my entrepreneurial initiatives took a backseat. I craved inspiration, connection, and an area the place I may dream huge once more. Fixar arrived on the good time, simply over an hour from my residence in rural Galicia however providing a much-needed reset.
Walking into Anceu Coliving, I used to be struck by how acquainted but refreshing it felt—a reminder of the transformative energy of those areas. They’re not nearly work; they’re about group, shared function, and dwelling deliberately.
Anceu Coliving: A Rural Haven
Located close to the picturesque village of Pontecaldelas, Anceu Coliving is greater than only a coliving house—it’s a labor of affection by its founders, Agus and Africa, who returned to their roots to breathe new life into this rural nook of Galicia. Together with their crew—Se, a theater-loving multitasker; Rosa, who saved the house operating easily; and their canines Pandora, Pepe, and Liño—they’ve created an area that’s as welcoming as it’s inspiring.
The group right here is simply as exceptional. Ana, a sophisticated soul now settled close by, runs a cellular bookstore that brings tales to life on the go. Victor, aka Rural Champs, affords boxing lessons to locals and guests alike, fostering each health and connection. Nacho, a part of Rural Hackers alongside Africa and Agus—an affiliation combining artwork, know-how, and social influence linked to the ECNH—is planning to maneuver to the area along with his associate. He performs an energetic function within the rural Galician entrepreneurship scene, contributing contemporary concepts and vitality.
Together with non permanent residents and new arrivals, these inspiring people added depth and vibrancy to Anceu, making it a very dynamic surroundings.
On prime of the individuals, right here’s what makes Anceu particular:
- Accommodations: Comfortable en-suite rooms that mix rustic allure with trendy facilities.
- Coworking Spaces: Multiple choices, together with a dog-friendly workspace and comfy breakout areas.
- Recreational Amenities: A swimming pool, a café-library nook, and out of doors terraces for enjoyable or brainstorming.
- Nature at Your Doorstep: The surrounding forests and rivers provided moments of peace and inspiration, even in the course of the practically fixed rain that accompanied my keep.
Sustainability and Community
Sustainability was woven into each facet of Anceu. Food orders have been positioned communally, with contemporary produce sourced immediately from native farmers. Dinner grew to become a cherished ritual: each night time at 8 PM, we gathered for a vegetarian feast (no pasta or rice!) ready by rotating cooking groups. These meals weren’t nearly meals—they have been about storytelling, connection, and collaboration.
The communal effort prolonged to our workshops and skill-sharing classes, the place every particular person contributed their distinctive abilities to counterpoint the expertise.
The Heart of Fixar: Skill Sharing and Collaboration
If the bodily areas of Anceu Coliving offered a canvas, the individuals introduced it to life.
Skill-sharing classes have been the beating coronary heart of Fixar, the place everybody—from musicians to tech specialists—provided their data generously.
Here are just some of the exceptional people I met:
- Iago: A composer and musician, Iago’s electrical guitars and screens within the dog-friendly coworking house grew to become an attention-grabbing point of interest. His acoustic guitar classes by the hearth introduced heat to wet nights, creating unforgettable moments of music and laughter.
- Maria: A journalist and reiki grasp, Maria rapidly grew to become an in depth pal. Her therapeutic massage workshop was intimate and grounding, and she or he’s brimming with thrilling concepts for the long run.
- Pablo: Cofounder of Dooroti, a startup connecting storage house homeowners and drivers, Pablo introduced startup vitality and his cute canine Maia to the group.
- Catuxa: A rising star in Galicia’s music scene, Catuxa Salom amazed us together with her work ethic. After most of us had turned in for the night time, she nonetheless composed her distinctive mix of conventional Galician and Argentinian music with an digital twist.
- Oscar: Cofounder of Bregal, Oscar shared invaluable insights into Erasmus+ applications. His speak was a spotlight for me, as a few of these initiatives profoundly formed my very own life. I couldn’t agree extra when he mentioned these EU-funded applications are among the many greatest alternatives for younger Europeans to develop and join.
- Agata: Part of Cowonders, Agata led two enlightening workshops on nonviolent communication, leaving us all with sensible instruments to enhance our interactions.
- Javier C.: A health care provider in communication, author, and public speaker, Javier delivered a TED-style speak on emotional intelligence, crew communication, and management—one of the crucial partaking classes of all the program.
- Carol: A real Renaissance lady, Carol shocked us together with her creative versatility. She hosted a watercolor workshop, later revealing she additionally has a YouTube channel stuffed with inventive tutorials.
- Javier B.: A inventive mentor who freely provided recommendation all through the 2 weeks, Javier’s generosity left a mark on everybody he spoke with. He’s at all times scheming his subsequent huge challenge, and I can’t wait to see what he does subsequent.
- David: From high-tech experience to laser-cut wooden artistry, David amazed us all along with his versatility. He led workshops on drilling, investing, private finance, and GPS mapping, offering invaluable data each step of the way in which.
Others, together with David’s associate Charlotte, who helped us envision inventive futures, Alexandra, a proficient photographer and volunteer group host throughout my time there, a relaxing Zentangle artist, and a joy-filled Polish resident artist known as Mery that enriched the expertise even additional bringing magnificence into the daily and scrumptious treats at dinner.
Rain and Revitalization
Though it rained virtually daily throughout my keep, it solely added to the allure. The regular downpour was a relentless reminder of Galicia’s lush magnificence. Walks by means of the misty forests, late nights by the hearth, and the sound of rain on the rooftops created a singular sort of magic.
Looking Back and Moving Forward
Fixar and my time at Anceu have been the stepping stones I didn’t know I wanted to return to full entrepreneurship mode. It was a reset button for my life, permitting me to replicate on my objectives whereas staying current with my household and embracing my roles as a mom, entrepreneur, and rural dweller.
As I kind this from Casa Feliz, my retreat residence in rural Galicia, I really feel immense gratitude for the connections I’ve made and the initiatives I’ve began to examine. 2024 introduced unbelievable highlights—watching my daughter develop from toddler to little child, touring within the van (traversing Central Europe from Spain to the Netherlands, and possibly even southern Portugal or Morocco by 12 months’s finish), and, after all, Fixar.
With 2025 simply days away, I really feel energized. The 12 months forward is brimming with potential, and whereas I received’t spill the beans on my subsequent huge challenge simply but, I can say this: rural coliving has given me the readability, connections, and braveness to dream larger than ever earlier than.
Would you ever think about a rural coliving expertise? Let’s speak—I’d love to listen to your ideas.