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 area 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 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 house, balancing work and motherhood.
What Is Fixar?
Fixar is a groundbreaking rural entrepreneurship initiative, the primary of its type in Galicia, supported by Galicia’s authorities and funded by the European Union. With a funds of €123,800, its mission is to revitalize rural Galicia by fostering innovation and sustainable group growth.
This system passed off from July to October 2024, welcoming 60 contributors 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 contributors had been cut up amongst three inspiring coliving and coworking areas: iSlow in Costa da Morte, Sende in Ourense, and my house for 2 weeks, Anceu Coliving.
The overarching aim of Fixar is straightforward but profound: to display that rural areas, usually seen as quiet and sleepy, might 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 beginning 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 house 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 objective, and dwelling deliberately.
Anceu Coliving: A Rural Haven
Situated close to the picturesque village of Pontecaldelas, Anceu Coliving is greater than only a coliving area—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 stored the area 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 outstanding. Ana, a cosmopolitan soul now settled close by, runs a cellular bookstore that brings tales to life on the go. Victor, aka Rural Champs, presents 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 affect linked to the ECNH—is planning to maneuver to the area together with his accomplice. He performs an lively position within the rural Galician entrepreneurship scene, contributing recent concepts and vitality.
Along with non permanent residents and new arrivals, these inspiring people added depth and vibrancy to Anceu, making it a really dynamic atmosphere.
On prime of the folks, right here’s what makes Anceu particular:
- Lodging: Snug en-suite rooms that mix rustic allure with trendy facilities.
- Coworking Areas: A number of choices, together with a dog-friendly workspace and comfortable breakout areas.
- Leisure Facilities: A swimming pool, a café-library nook, and outside terraces for stress-free or brainstorming.
- Nature at Your Doorstep: The encompassing forests and rivers supplied moments of peace and inspiration, even through the almost fixed rain that accompanied my keep.
Sustainability and Group
Sustainability was woven into each side of Anceu. Meals orders had been positioned communally, with recent produce sourced straight 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 periods, 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 supplied a canvas, the folks introduced it to life.
Talent-sharing periods had been the beating coronary heart of Fixar, the place everybody—from musicians to tech specialists—supplied their information generously.
Listed here are just some of the outstanding people I met:
- Iago: A composer and musician, Iago’s electrical guitars and screens within the dog-friendly coworking area turned an attention-grabbing focus. His acoustic guitar periods 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 buddy. 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 area 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 along 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+ applications. His discuss was a spotlight for me, as a few of these initiatives profoundly formed my very own life. I couldn’t agree extra when he stated these EU-funded applications 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 physician in communication, author, and public speaker, Javier delivered a TED-style discuss on emotional intelligence, group communication, and management—one of the vital participating periods of your complete program.
- Carol: A real Renaissance lady, Carol stunned us along 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 supplied 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 venture, 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 information each step of the way in which.
Others, together with David’s accomplice Charlotte, who helped us envision inventive futures, Alexandra, a proficient 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 day-after-day and scrumptious treats at dinner.
Rain and Revitalization
Although it rained virtually day-after-day throughout my keep, it solely added to the allure. The regular downpour was a relentless reminder of Galicia’s lush magnificence. Walks by the misty forests, late nights by the fireplace, and the sound of rain on the rooftops created a novel sort of magic.
Trying 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 mirror on my objectives whereas staying current with my household and embracing my roles as a mom, entrepreneur, and rural dweller.
As I sort this from Casa Feliz, my retreat house 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 perhaps even southern Portugal or Morocco by yr’s finish), and, in fact, Fixar.
With 2025 simply days away, I really feel energized. The yr forward is brimming with potential, and whereas I gained’t spill the beans on my subsequent massive venture 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 contemplate a rural coliving expertise? Let’s discuss—I’d love to listen to your ideas.
