The allocation of 5,000 euros of support for the establishment of residence and 5,000 euros towards birth and early childhood, and reimbursement of up to 100% of tuition fees, are examples of the incentives that the Oleiros Municipality has just reinforced, aiming to secure permanent families in the county. Citizens who have been registered in Oleiros for at least 3 months are covered by this package.

These three forms of social support have undergone substantial easing of the eligibility criteria, enabling a greater number of beneficiaries to apply in a simplified way.

"We cannot escape from the reality affecting the entire interior region: that of desertification That is why we have to act. As such, the Oleiros Town Hall decided to incentivise these social support measures, because establishing people in the municipality leads, necessarily, to the economic growth that we all want for our region", explains Miguel Marques, Vice Mayor of Oleiros.

The age of the beneficiaries covered by the support for establishing residence has been extended (45 years or the sum of the spouses' ages being equal to or less than 90 years). Citizens who have sold a house in the municipality in the last 36 months are excluded. Also, regarding the support for establishing residence, 5,000 euros is also aimed at construction and reconstruction, as well as the acquisition of a permanent home.

Young people seeking a 100% reimbursement of Higher Education fees, in the case of bachelor's degrees, master's degrees and doctorates, must be 27 years old or younger and all public universities are covered.

Finally, 5,000 euros for birth and early childhood in the form of reimbursement of expenses for children. It is aimed at all babies up to 18 months old (inclusive) and for adopted children up to 5 years old. Parents must have permanent and effective fixed residence in Oleiros for at least 3 months.

"We must be realistic; these are not measures to achieve short-term results. Attracting people to the Interior takes time and must be accompanied by more support from the Central Administration for everything to come together. In the meantime, we are making progress at a municipal level to combine the settlement and growth of families with a relief to family budgets and to significantly improve the quality of life of those who want to settle in Oleiros, without ever forgetting those who already live here", adds the mayor.

The application form for support, as well as information on the necessary documents, can be obtained on the Council´s website.