Ourense Innovation Centre Against Depopulation: What Opportunities Does It Open for Rural Businesses

Key data

Ourense is one of the Spanish provinces with the greatest negative demographic pressure. That reality is precisely what justifies the Dirección General de Políticas contra la Despoblación formalising an agreement with the Diputación Provincial de Ourense to launch a Centro de Innovación Territorial. The resolution was published on 7 April 2026 with reference BOE-A-2026-7901.

For businesses, entrepreneurs and entities in the Galician rural environment, this agreement is not merely an institutional declaration: it may open the door to support programmes, funding and access to specific infrastructure for territories at risk of depopulation. The key is to be well positioned when the specific programmes are put in place.

What does this regulation establish?

The agreement formalises collaboration between two public administrations to create and operate a Centro de Innovación Territorial in the province of Ourense. These types of centres have a clear objective: to generate and test innovative solutions applicable to territories at risk of depopulation.

The structural elements of the agreement are as follows:

• Shared funding: Both institutions take on joint funding commitments for the development of the centre.
• Shared management: The operation of the centre is structured between the central Government and the Diputación Provincial de Ourense.
• Accountability: The agreement establishes control and accountability mechanisms between both parties.
• Territorial focus: The centre is specifically oriented towards Ourense as a priority province due to its demographic situation.

The practical impact for businesses and entrepreneurs will depend on the regulatory development and the specific programmes articulated from the centre. The published regulation formalises the institutional framework, but the access programmes for the private sector will be defined in subsequent phases.

Economic and operational impact

From a business perspective, this agreement represents an opportunity to access public resources for those who operate or wish to operate in the rural environment of Ourense. Territorial innovation centres of this type typically provide:

• Support programmes for the creation and consolidation of businesses in rural areas.
• Access to shared infrastructure (workspaces, testing laboratories, connectivity).
• Funding or co-funding lines for innovative projects in the territory.
• Collaboration networks between businesses, administrations and knowledge centres.

The agreement combines resources from two public administrations, which broadens the available financial base compared to initiatives from a single institution. However, the specific funding amounts are not specified in the published resolution and will be determined in the subsequent development of the agreement.

For businesses already established in the province, the existence of the centre may represent a strengthening of the local ecosystem that facilitates talent retention, the attraction of new projects and access to co-funded digitalisation or innovation programmes.

Who is affected?

The profiles directly affected by this agreement are:

• Businesses operating in rural municipalities of Ourense: Especially SMEs and micro-enterprises in sectors such as agri-food, rural tourism, local services or technology applied to the territory.
• Entrepreneurs in the Galician rural environment: Individuals who wish to launch projects in areas at risk of depopulation and may benefit from the centre's programmes.
• Third-sector entities and rural cooperatives: Organisations operating in the field of rural development in the province of Ourense.
• Rural municipalities of Ourense: Local councils and entities that may develop joint projects with the centre.
• Investors and promoters of population-retention projects: Those seeking territories with institutional support for projects with demographic impact.

Practical example

A family agri-food business based in a rural municipality of Ourense, which has been operating for years with difficulties retaining employees and accessing funding to modernise its production process, could benefit from the Centro de Innovación Territorial in the following ways:

• Access innovation support programmes structured through the centre, co-funded between the central Government and the Diputación.
• Use the centre's shared infrastructure to develop and test new products without bearing the entire investment individually.
• Participate in collaboration networks with other businesses in the territory and with knowledge centres linked to the centre.
• Apply for specific funding lines for projects that contribute to population retention in the area.

This scenario is possible once the centre is operational and the specific programmes have been defined. The immediate step for this business is to register with the communication channels of the Diputación de Ourense and the Dirección General de Políticas contra la Despoblación to receive information when calls for applications are published.

What should businesses do now?

1. Identify whether your business operates within the territorial scope of the agreement: The agreement affects rural municipalities in the province of Ourense. Confirm whether your activity or that of your clients falls within this scope.
2. Subscribe to official communication channels: Follow publications from the Diputación Provincial de Ourense and the Dirección General de Políticas contra la Despoblación to receive information on calls and programmes as soon as they are published.
3. Prepare your business profile to access grants: Ensure you have up-to-date documentation typically required to apply for public subsidies (certificates of being current with tax and social security obligations, activity report, updated business plan).
4. Assess your innovation or investment needs: Define in advance which projects or needs you could present when the centre's programmes open, so you can act quickly when calls are launched.
5. Contact local business associations: Business organisations in the province often have advance information on initiatives of this type and can facilitate access to programmes.

Official source

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For specific decisions, please consult a qualified professional. Source: https://www.boe.es/diario_boe/txt.php?id=BOE-A-2026-7901