As we at Rooral reflect on the past year, we are filled with gratitude and pride for the incredible journey we've undertaken in 2024 with our rural coliving and coworking initiative. This year has been a milestone for our community, marked by significant achievements that strengthen our mission to revitalize rural areas in Spain through innovative coworking and coliving experiences.
A Rural Coliving and Coworking in Benarrabá
One of our most significant accomplishments this year was the opening of our first permanent rural coliving and coworking headquarters in the village of Benarrabá, Málaga. Nestled in the heart of nature, this little Andalusian village has become a grounding home for digital nomads from over 20 countries this year seeking a balance between productivity and reconnection to self, others and nature.
Rooral has blended right into the local community of Benarrabá, where local grandmas will join the events or initiatives hosted by visiting digital nomads, and the grandmas will share their kowledge and experiences. This year the grandma’s have painted, given cooking classes or done embroidery with Rooralists who have come to Benarrabá.
Growth and Impact in our Rural Community
Our vision of bridging the gap between remote workers and small villages has resonated strongly with the global digital nomad community. In 2024, we welcomed remote workers from over 20 countries into Benarrabá, fostering a diverse and vibrant collection of lovely humans from all walks of life.
As one visitor shared “Benarrabá and its people have a truly magical charm, and every member of the Rooral team made us feel completely at home from day one. I loved their philosophy, the close-knit community they’ve nurtured, and all the thoughtful activities they arranged for me and the other co-livers.”
Another participant noted “Rooral is a one of a kind coliving! Nestled in the Genal Valley, Benarrabá is the most gorgeous pueblo to reconnect with nature, find new friends among locals and fellow co-livers—and work.”
We are truly proud of how warmly the local community has welcomed us and our visitors, and how enthusiastic all digital nomads are with the pueblo neighbours.
Impact and Growth in the form of Innovation and Education
At Rooral, we believe in the power of education and innovation to drive change. This year, we organized two hackathons in local high schools, inspiring young minds to explore innovation and entrepreneurship. These events not only showcased the possibilities of remote work but also encouraged students to envision futures where they could thrive in their own communities. Read about the Hackathons we recently ran and stay tuned for longer format coming early 2025.
Additionally, we launched our first Residency program, inviting talented individuals to live and work in Benarrabá for free while contributing to local projects. This initiative enhances participants' skills while leaving a lasting impact on the community through knowledge sharing and collaboration.
Growth in the form of Recognition
Our unique approach has garnered significant media attention this year. Major outlets like BBC and Euronews have featured us, helping to spread our message of rural revitalization to a global audience.
This recognition underscores the importance of our mission as we strive to connect urban talent with rural opportunities. Rooral's efforts were validated by two prestigious awards:
Best Co-living Space by The Nomad World Awards: Recognizing our commitment to creating exceptional living environments that foster community among remote workers.
Second place at the Social Innovation Cup in Madrid: Highlighting our role in promoting social change through innovative solutions that address rural challenges.
We are very happy for both these prestigious recognitions, which would not have been possible without you - our followers and supporters.
Spreading the Message of our Rural Coliving and Coworking
In 2024 we also participated in numerous meetings, conferences, festivals and summits. Here are a few examples:
European Coworking Conference in Bulgaria: We participated in a panel discussion on rural coworking, sharing insights on integrating remote work into rural settings effectively.
Spanish Coworking Conference: We were keynote speakers and we highlighted the potential of rural coworking while emphasizing how our model can inspire others to consider similar initiatives.
Tourism Innovation Summit: We showcased how our model could reshape rural tourism by attracting digital nomads seeking authentic experiences away from urban centers.
Snomad Festival in Switzerland: We connected with the global digital nomad community, further expanding our reach while promoting the benefits of working remotely from beautiful rural locations.
During 2024 also ran our first ever giveaway. We partnered with three other colivings and coworkings (Tertulia, Selgars and Sun and Co.) to offer two weeks for the price of one.
Looking to the Future for Rooral
As we reflect on our achievements in 2024, Rooral remains focused on its core mission: revitalizing rural areas while providing remote workers with connection (to self, other and nature).
The success of our coliving and coworking at Benarrabá serves as a blueprint for future projects. The growth we've experienced is not just about numbers; it's about creating memorable experiences in the lives of digital nomads and local communities, and lasting impact on the local environment.
As Carol Blasquaz, Sustainability Director at Ecoalf, shared after her experience with us, “Coliving and working in a village has been transformative.” Her words resonate deeply with our commitment to fostering connections among individuals who share similar values.
Rooral’s approach challenges traditional narratives around work-life balance by demonstrating that success does not require leaving rural areas behind. Instead, we propose a new paradigm where technology enables reconnection with roots while fostering personal growth, community engagement, and sustainable living.
To sum up, 2024 has been a landmark year for Rooral—a year filled with achievements that lay a strong foundation for future growth. With our innovative model gaining traction, we are well-positioned to continue bridging urban talent with rural charm.
If you're feeling like there is more to life, we invite you to join us in Benarrabá (keep an eye on our socials for new dates coming up soon!). Experience firsthand how working remotely can be rooted in community while reconnecting with nature—together, let’s cultivate a brighter future for both digital nomads and rural communities alike.
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