Key data
| Regulation | Resolution of April 23, 2026, from the General Directorate of Policies against Depopulation, publishing the Agreement with the University of Cantabria for the Campus Rural Program |
|---|---|
| Publication | May 4, 2026 |
| Entry into force | Not specified |
| Affected parties | University students from Cantabria, rural municipalities, companies and entities in depopulated areas |
| Category | Education |
| Year | 2026 |
| Signing organizations | General Directorate of Policies against Depopulation and University of Cantabria |
| BOE Reference | BOE-A-2026-9682 |
Rural companies in Cantabria now have an official channel to incorporate university students in internships without needing to manage the process independently. The Campus Rural Program, formalized through an agreement between the General Directorate of Policies against Depopulation and the University of Cantabria, acts as a bridge between the rural business sector and university students. The resolution publishing this agreement was signed on April 23, 2026 and published in the BOE on May 4, 2026 (BOE-A-2026-9682).
The program is not an obligation: it is an opportunity. Companies that decide to participate offer internship positions to university students who move to rural environments, with the institutional support of the university and the administration.
What does this regulation establish?
The agreement formalizes the Campus Rural Program, a national initiative adapted to Cantabria, which has the main objective of combating rural depopulation by attracting young university students to these territories.
The mechanism is simple:
- Companies, entities and local administrations in rural municipalities of Cantabria offer internship positions.
- The University of Cantabria manages the connection with interested university students.
- Students complete their academic internships in these rural environments, with the dual objective of training and getting to know the territory.
- The program seeks to promote the rooting of young people in depopulated areas, not just their temporary passage.
This agreement is part of the national strategy against the demographic challenge, which seeks to reverse the emptying of rural municipalities by attracting young talent.
Economic and operational impact
The agreement does not establish mandatory direct costs for participating companies. The impact is mainly one of opportunity:
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| Direct cost of the agreement for companies | Not specified in the published resolution |
| Type of incorporation | Temporary, in the form of university internships |
| Profile incorporated | University students in training |
| Process management | Through the University of Cantabria |
| Benefit for the company | Attraction of young talent, business dynamization |
| Territorial benefit | Contribution to combating rural depopulation |
For a rural company, incorporating a university student in internship can mean support in areas where there is no critical mass of personnel: digitalization, communication, administrative management, technical projects according to the student's degree. The operational cost will depend on whether the company decides to offer some type of remuneration or assistance to the student, something that is not regulated in this agreement.
Who does it affect?
- Private companies located in rural municipalities of Cantabria that want to incorporate students in internships.
- Non-profit entities and local associations in depopulated areas of Cantabria.
- Local administrations of rural municipalities that can offer internship positions.
- University students from the University of Cantabria interested in completing their internships in a rural environment.
- Rural municipalities of Cantabria at risk of depopulation seeking economic and social dynamization.
Practical example
An agri-food company located in a rural municipality of Cantabria with fewer than 500 inhabitants decides to participate in the Campus Rural Program. It contacts the University of Cantabria to offer an internship position in the area of marketing and digital communication.
The university connects the company with a student from the Degree in Business Administration and Management who needs to complete their curricular internship. The student moves to the rural municipality, completes their internship during the agreed period, and the company has support in its digital presence strategy, an area that until then could not be covered due to lack of specialized personnel.
The result: the company improves its online visibility without needing to hire an external professional, the student completes their training with real experience in a different environment, and the municipality receives the temporary presence of a young university student who knows the territory firsthand.
What should companies do now?
- Evaluate if your company is in a rural municipality of Cantabria that could fit the program profile. The main criterion is location in an area at risk of depopulation.
- Identify what type of internships you could offer: what area of your business would benefit from incorporating a university student in training (administration, technical, communication, etc.).
- Contact the University of Cantabria to learn about the registration procedure as a collaborating company of the Campus Rural Program.
- Review the conditions of the internships: duration, possible remuneration, academic requirements of the student and obligations of the host company.
- Formalize participation through the channels enabled by the University of Cantabria and the General Directorate of Policies against Depopulation.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Campus Rural Program and how does it work?
The Campus Rural Program is an initiative promoted by the General Directorate of Policies against Depopulation and the University of Cantabria. It connects university students with companies, entities and local administrations in rural municipalities that offer internship positions. The objective is to attract young talent to depopulated areas and encourage their possible rooting.
What companies can participate in the Campus Rural Program in Cantabria?
Companies, entities and local administrations located in rural municipalities of Cantabria can participate. The program is especially oriented toward territories at risk of depopulation that want to temporarily incorporate university students in training.
What advantages does hosting students in internships have for a rural company?
Participating rural companies can benefit from the temporary incorporation of university students in training, attracting young talent that can boost their economic and social fabric. In addition, they contribute to the national strategy against the demographic challenge.
When does the Campus Rural agreement with the University of Cantabria enter into force?
The agreement was published on May 4, 2026 through a Resolution from the General Directorate of Policies against Depopulation. The date of entry into force is not specified in the resolution published in the BOE.
Who manages the Campus Rural Program in Cantabria?
The program is jointly managed by the General Directorate of Policies against Depopulation and the University of Cantabria, within the framework of the national strategy against the demographic challenge.
Official source
View complete regulation in official sourceNotice: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For specific decisions, consult a qualified professional. Source: https://www.boe.es/diario_boe/txt.php?id=BOE-A-2026-9682