Magic Towns of Spain has presented its Manifesto 2026, drafted within the framework of the Third National Council held in Salas (Asturias), a document that outlines the main lines of action proposed by the 169 municipalities that comprise the network.
The initiative, which forms part of the Magic Ecosystem of Spain, calls for a paradigm shift in the narrative about rural life that moves beyond the concept of “España vaciada” and toward a “Spain of Real Opportunities.” focusing on activating the potential that already exists in the territories. As the manifesto states, “our towns are not empty, they are full of untapped potential.”
The document argues that the main challenge facing rural areas is not a lack of resources, but the difficulty in activating them due to structural barriers such as bureaucracy, regulatory rigidity, or housing access. In this sense, Magic Towns of Spain proposes abandoning a passive view of the territory and moving toward a model based on action, where rural development is understood as a real opportunity for economic, social, and territorial growth.
“For years, people have talked about the emptied Spain as a problem. We want to talk about a Spain of opportunities, because the potential exists and is there, waiting to be activated,” said Francisco Martín, president of the Magic Ecosystem of Spain. “After more than a decade working with the territory, we know that when resources, people, and projects are connected, the impact is real.”
Meanwhile, Noelia Guzmán, president of Magic Towns of Spain, highlighted the collective character of the document: “This manifesto captures the direct experience of the municipalities. It is not a theoretical proposal; it is the result of what is happening on the ground and of what still remains to be resolved.”
The Major Challenges Facing the Territory
The manifesto identifies a series of structural challenges that condition the development of rural municipalities:
- Housing is available, but not accessible, which hinders effective repopulation.
- Disconnection between education and employment, which limits youth retention.
- Excessive bureaucracy that slows down project execution and the use of resources.
- Imbalance between tourism and quality of life, risking local identity.
- Weak rural business fabric, with a lack of structured investment.
- Unequality in services and infrastructure, which limits the viability of living in the territory.
In response to this diagnosis, the manifesto outlines a roadmap focused on concrete solutions:
- Activate the existing housing stock.
- Connect training with real opportunities on the ground in the territory.
- Simplify administrative processes and adapt the regulatory framework.
- Boost investment and local business development.
- Ensure basic services and connectivity.
- Move toward a sustainable repopulation model
The manifesto emphasizes the idea of creating stable conditions that allow people to settle and solidify life projects in the municipalities. With this approach, Magic Towns of Spain strengthens its role as the platform representing the territory within the Magic Ecosystem of Spain, conveying a more constructive view of rural life and proposing a model based on opportunity, investment, and real development.
