Key data
| Regulation | Resolution of May 12, 2026, from the General Directorate of Policies Against Depopulation, publishing the Agreement with the University of Córdoba for the Campus Rural Program |
|---|---|
| Publication | May 19, 2026 |
| Entry into force | Not specified in the regulation |
| Affected parties | University students, rural municipalities, companies and entities in rural areas |
| Category | Education |
| Year | 2026 |
| Promoting body | General Directorate of Policies Against Depopulation |
| Collaborating university | University of Córdoba |
| BOE Reference | BOE-A-2026-10810 |
Rural companies and municipalities have had since May 19, 2026 a new official channel to incorporate university talent: the Campus Rural program, activated through an agreement between the General Directorate of Policies Against Depopulation and the University of Córdoba (BOE-A-2026-10810). The objective is twofold: to bring knowledge to rural territories at risk of depopulation and to bring young university students closer to the reality of rural areas, fostering possible future settlement.
For rural companies, this means access to qualified students during the internship period, with an academic and financing framework already established by the agreement. For municipalities, a way to boost development with young talent. For students, a differentiated training experience with possible academic recognition.
What does this regulation establish?
The agreement formalizes the participation of the University of Córdoba in the Campus Rural program, a Government initiative to combat rural depopulation through university mobility. The key elements of the agreement are:
- Purpose: To enable university students to conduct their academic internships in depopulated or at-risk rural municipalities.
- Dual objective: To bring value and knowledge to rural territories, and to bring young university students closer to the reality of rural areas with possible future settlement.
- Participating entities: General Directorate of Policies Against Depopulation (Government), University of Córdoba, local entities and rural companies.
- Obligations: The agreement establishes the specific obligations of each party involved.
- Financing: The financing framework is regulated in the agreement itself.
- Management: The program management framework is also included in the agreement.
- Academic recognition: Internships have possible academic recognition for participating students.
The agreement was signed on May 12, 2026 and published in the BOE on May 19, 2026 through a resolution from the General Directorate of Policies Against Depopulation.
Economic and operational impact
For companies and entities in rural areas, the Campus Rural program represents an opportunity to incorporate qualified talent without the usual recruitment costs. The main operational impacts are:
- Access to qualified students: Temporary incorporation of university students with up-to-date training, without own selection process or standard recruitment cost.
- Knowledge contribution: Students can work on real company projects, bringing updated perspectives and methodologies.
- Regulated framework: The agreement establishes the obligations of the host company, providing legal certainty to the relationship with the student.
- Public financing: The program has financing established in the agreement, reducing the economic burden for participating entities.
For rural municipalities, the impact is territorial development: the presence of young university students can generate local economic activity and, in some cases, decisions to settle that contribute to slowing depopulation.
The regulation does not specify concrete financing amounts or number of available positions in the published data.
Who does it affect?
- Rural companies: Any company located in depopulated or at-risk rural municipalities that wants to host students in internships.
- Rural local entities: Town councils, associations and other entities in rural municipalities that can offer internship positions.
- Depopulated or at-risk municipalities: Priority territories for program participation.
- University students from the University of Córdoba: Students who choose to conduct their academic internships in rural areas with academic recognition.
- General Directorate of Policies Against Depopulation: Promoting and funding body of the program.
- University of Córdoba: Institution managing the program in the academic field.
Practical example
An agri-food company located in a rural municipality in the province of Córdoba at risk of depopulation can apply for participation in the Campus Rural program. Through the agreement between the Government and the University of Córdoba, the company hosts a university student who conducts their academic internship during a determined period.
The student brings up-to-date technical knowledge (for example, in management, digital marketing, agricultural engineering or any other relevant degree), works on real company projects and obtains official academic recognition for their experience. The company, in turn, benefits from this qualified talent with a legal and financing framework already established by the agreement, without needing to manage a conventional recruitment process.
The municipality also benefits from the temporary presence of a young university student who can generate local economic activity and, in the best case, consider settling in the territory.
What should companies do now?
- Assess whether your company or entity is in an eligible rural municipality: The program is aimed at depopulated or at-risk municipalities. Check if your location meets this criterion.
- Contact the University of Córdoba: The university is the entity managing the program in the academic field. Request information about the requirements to be a host entity, incorporation deadlines and the profile of available students.
- Contact the General Directorate of Policies Against Depopulation: To learn about financing conditions and the obligations assumed by the participating company according to the agreement.
- Identify specific projects or needs: Define what type of student and what training profile can bring the most value to your company, to maximize the benefit of the internship incorporation.
- Review the full text of the agreement: The agreement published in the BOE (BOE-A-2026-10810) includes the specific obligations of each party. Read it before formalizing participation to know exactly what is expected of the host entity.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Campus Rural program and how does it work?
Campus Rural is a Government program that enables university students to conduct their academic internships in depopulated or at-risk rural municipalities. The University of Córdoba manages student selection and the academic framework, while local entities and rural companies host the students. The agreement published on May 19, 2026 establishes the obligations of each party, financing, and the program management framework.
What benefits does a rural company that hosts students in Campus Rural obtain?
Participating companies and entities in rural areas benefit from the temporary incorporation of qualified university students, without the usual recruitment costs. The student brings up-to-date knowledge and works on real company projects during the internship period, with official academic recognition.
What municipalities can participate in the Campus Rural program?
Depopulated or at-risk rural municipalities can participate. The agreement is signed between the General Directorate of Policies Against Depopulation and the University of Córdoba, so the focus is on rural territories with needs for development and attraction of young talent.