In October 2024, I had the possibility to take part in a 15-day rural entrepreneurship program that reawakened my entrepreneurial spirit and deepened my love for rural Galicia. This system, known as Fixar, took me to Anceu Coliving, a novel coliving house tucked into the center of the Galician countryside close to Pontevedra.
Through the years, I’ve roamed the world as a digital nomad, discovering group and creativity in coliving areas from Marrakech to Budapest. But Fixar wasn’t simply one other cease alongside the best way. 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 dwelling, balancing work and motherhood.
What Is Fixar?
Fixar is a groundbreaking rural entrepreneurship initiative, the primary of its sort in Galicia, supported by Galicia’s authorities and funded via the European Union. With a finances of €123,800, its mission is to revitalize rural Galicia by fostering innovation and sustainable group growth.
This system occurred from July to October 2024, welcoming 60 individuals from numerous backgrounds. Half had been “ambassadors,” entrepreneurs already primarily based in rural areas, and the opposite half had been people able to embrace rural entrepreneurship. These individuals had been break up amongst three inspiring coliving and coworking areas: iSlow in Costa da Morte, Sende in Ourense, and my dwelling for 2 weeks, Anceu Coliving.
The overarching objective of Fixar is straightforward but profound: to exhibit that rural areas, usually seen as quiet and sleepy, will 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 couple of years. After giving start to my daughter, my days revolved round her, and my entrepreneurial tasks took a backseat. I craved inspiration, connection, and an area the place I may dream massive once more. Fixar arrived on the excellent time, simply over an hour from my dwelling in rural Galicia however providing a much-needed reset.
Strolling 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
Situated 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. Along with their group—Se, a theater-loving multitasker; Rosa, who saved the house operating easily; and their canine Pandora, Pepe, and Liño—they’ve created an area that’s as welcoming as it’s inspiring.
The group right here is simply as outstanding. Ana, a cosmopolitan soul now settled close by, runs a cell bookstore that brings tales to life on the go. Victor, aka Rural Champs, gives boxing courses 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 together with his associate. He performs an lively position within the rural Galician entrepreneurship scene, contributing contemporary concepts and power.
Along with momentary residents and new arrivals, these inspiring people added depth and vibrancy to Anceu, making it a really dynamic surroundings.
On high of the individuals, right here’s what makes Anceu particular:
- Lodging: Comfy en-suite rooms that mix rustic appeal with fashionable facilities.
- Coworking Areas: A number of choices, together with a dog-friendly workspace and comfy breakout areas.
- Leisure Facilities: A swimming pool, a café-library nook, and out of doors terraces for enjoyable or brainstorming.
- Nature at Your Doorstep: The encompassing forests and rivers provided moments of peace and inspiration, even in the course of the almost fixed rain that accompanied my keep.
Sustainability and Group
Sustainability was woven into each facet of Anceu. Meals orders had been positioned communally, with contemporary produce sourced instantly from native farmers. Dinner turned a cherished ritual: each evening 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 had been about storytelling, connection, and collaboration.
The communal effort prolonged to our workshops and skill-sharing classes, the place every individual contributed their distinctive abilities to complement the expertise.
The Coronary heart of Fixar: Talent Sharing and Collaboration
If the bodily areas of Anceu Coliving offered a canvas, the individuals introduced it to life.
Talent-sharing classes had been the beating coronary heart of Fixar, the place everybody—from musicians to tech consultants—provided their data generously.
Listed below are only a few of the outstanding people I met:
- Iago: A composer and musician, Iago’s electrical guitars and screens within the dog-friendly coworking house turned an attention grabbing focus. His acoustic guitar classes by the fireside introduced heat to wet nights, creating unforgettable moments of music and laughter.
- Maria: A journalist and reiki grasp, Maria rapidly turned a detailed pal. Her therapeutic massage workshop was intimate and grounding, and he or she’s brimming with thrilling concepts for the long run.
- Pablo: Cofounder of Dooroti, a startup connecting storage house homeowners and drivers, Pablo introduced startup power and his lovable 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 evening, 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+ packages. 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 packages are among the many finest alternatives for younger Europeans to develop and join.
- Agata: A 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, group communication, and management—one of the crucial partaking classes of your complete program.
- Carol: A real Renaissance lady, Carol shocked us together with her inventive versatility. She hosted a watercolor workshop, later revealing she additionally has a YouTube channel filled 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 massive undertaking, 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 together with his versatility. He led workshops on drilling, investing, private finance, and GPS mapping, offering invaluable data each step of the best way.
Others, together with David’s associate Charlotte, who helped us envision inventive futures, Alexandra, a gifted photographer and volunteer group host throughout my time there, a calming Zentangle artist, and a joy-filled Polish resident artist known as Mery that enriched the expertise even additional bringing magnificence into the every single day and scrumptious treats at dinner.
Rain and Revitalization
Although it rained virtually every single day throughout my keep, it solely added to the appeal. The regular downpour was a relentless reminder of Galicia’s lush magnificence. Walks via the misty forests, late nights by the hearth, and the sound of rain on the rooftops created a novel sort of magic.
Wanting Again and Shifting Ahead
Fixar and my time at Anceu had 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 dwelling in rural Galicia, I really feel immense gratitude for the connections I’ve made and the tasks I’ve began to ascertain. 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 yr’s finish), and, after all, Fixar.
With 2025 simply days away, I really feel energized. The yr forward is brimming with potential, and whereas I received’t spill the beans on my subsequent massive undertaking 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 take into account a rural coliving expertise? Let’s speak—I’d love to listen to your ideas.
