<strong>Pay to move: </strong>The Italian region of Molise, which lies to the east of Rome, says it's willing to pay people to move there, in the hope of reversing a decline in rural populations.
Pay to move: The Italian region of Molise, which lies to the east of Rome, says it's willing to pay people to move there, in the hope of reversing a decline in rural populations.
Courtesy Region Molise
<strong>Sepino: </strong>One of the towns taking part in the scheme is Sepino. Anyone willing to move there could be paid up to $770 a month for three years.
Sepino: One of the towns taking part in the scheme is Sepino. Anyone willing to move there could be paid up to $770 a month for three years.
Antonio Mignogna
<strong>Sepino: </strong>New residents must be willing to start a business if they're to qualify for the $27,000 total that's on offer.
Sepino: New residents must be willing to start a business if they're to qualify for the $27,000 total that's on offer.
Angelo Tullio
<strong>Castropignano: </strong>Some 106 of Molise's 136 towns and villages -- including Castropignano -- have fewer than 2,000 residents. The region is now one of Italy's most severely depopulated.
Castropignano: Some 106 of Molise's 136 towns and villages -- including Castropignano -- have fewer than 2,000 residents. The region is now one of Italy's most severely depopulated.
Nico Barbiero
<strong>Riccia: </strong>Acclaimed as one of Italy's "authentic villages" Riccia, one of the depopulated towns, hosts an annual grape festival that celebrates the end of the <em>vendemmia</em> or harvest.
Riccia: Acclaimed as one of Italy's "authentic villages" Riccia, one of the depopulated towns, hosts an annual grape festival that celebrates the end of the vendemmia or harvest.
Courtesy Region Molise
<strong>San Giovanni in Galdo: </strong>Located near one of Molise's main routes used by shepherds to move their livestock between low and high pastures, San Giovanni in Galdo is a maze of caves and underground chambers.
San Giovanni in Galdo: Located near one of Molise's main routes used by shepherds to move their livestock between low and high pastures, San Giovanni in Galdo is a maze of caves and underground chambers.
Antonio Mignogna
<strong>Pietrabbondante: </strong>Pietrabbondante's archeological area, close to the town and set at an altitude of 1,000 meters, has a spell-binding view over Molise's rugged hills and features a sanctuary and several temples. <br />
Pietrabbondante: Pietrabbondante's archeological area, close to the town and set at an altitude of 1,000 meters, has a spell-binding view over Molise's rugged hills and features a sanctuary and several temples.
Courtesy Region Molise
<strong>Fornelli: </strong>Nominated for the 2019's Italy's Most Beautiful Town contest, Fornelli has a medieval center that was once protected by a drawbridge and is now a web of narrow alleys and arched entrances. <br />
Fornelli: Nominated for the 2019's Italy's Most Beautiful Town contest, Fornelli has a medieval center that was once protected by a drawbridge and is now a web of narrow alleys and arched entrances.
Courtesy Region Molise
<strong>Miranda:</strong> "I want my region to undergo a renaissance and avoid its authentic villages turning into ghost towns," Antonio Tedeschi, a regional councilor who came up with the idea to pay new residents, tells CNN. "We need to safeguard our roots."
Miranda: "I want my region to undergo a renaissance and avoid its authentic villages turning into ghost towns," Antonio Tedeschi, a regional councilor who came up with the idea to pay new residents, tells CNN. "We need to safeguard our roots."
Courtesy Region Molise
<strong>Campitello Matese: </strong>Molise is blessed with snow-capped mountains which, around villages such as Campitello Matese, provide a haven for winter sports enthusiasts.<br /><br />
Campitello Matese: Molise is blessed with snow-capped mountains which, around villages such as Campitello Matese, provide a haven for winter sports enthusiasts.
Courtesy Region Molise
<strong>Duronia: </strong>Dating back to pre-Roman times, Duronia is a collection of pastel-coloured peasant houses connected by staircases and nestled at the feet of an overhanging fortress.
Duronia: Dating back to pre-Roman times, Duronia is a collection of pastel-coloured peasant houses connected by staircases and nestled at the feet of an overhanging fortress.
Courtesy Region Molise
<strong>Castel san Vincenzo: </strong>Set in the Alta Valle del Volturno, this area of Molise is known as the Valley of Faith, because monks and pilgrims have, for centuries, come here for meditation and prayer.
Castel san Vincenzo: Set in the Alta Valle del Volturno, this area of Molise is known as the Valley of Faith, because monks and pilgrims have, for centuries, come here for meditation and prayer.
Angelo Tullio
<strong>Toro: </strong>Antonio Tedeschi, the mastermind of the scheme to pay new residents, says incomers must be business-minded. "The goal is to breathe new life and revamp the local economy," he says.
Toro: Antonio Tedeschi, the mastermind of the scheme to pay new residents, says incomers must be business-minded. "The goal is to breathe new life and revamp the local economy," he says.
Antonio Mignogna
<strong>Civitacampomarano: </strong>"Newcomers are free to kickstart anything they please in order to get our financial support: a small inn, restaurant, bar, B&B, a tiny rural farm, artisan boutique, library or shop selling local gourmet excellences," Tedeschi adds.<br />
Civitacampomarano: "Newcomers are free to kickstart anything they please in order to get our financial support: a small inn, restaurant, bar, B&B, a tiny rural farm, artisan boutique, library or shop selling local gourmet excellences," Tedeschi adds.
Antonio Mignogna
<strong>Tufara: </strong>Molise is the latest of several regions of Italy to try to attract new residents, as large numbers of young people leave rural areas in search of jobs.
Tufara: Molise is the latest of several regions of Italy to try to attract new residents, as large numbers of young people leave rural areas in search of jobs.
Antonio Mignogna
<strong>Ferrazzano: </strong>Among schemes being tried are homes on sale for $1, and payments for couples willing to have babies.
Ferrazzano: Among schemes being tried are homes on sale for $1, and payments for couples willing to have babies.
Antonio Mignogna