A shop to combat depopulation. The first physical location of "Terre Ritrovate," the project that promotes Gerrei products and supports work in Sardinia's inland areas, opened this morning on Via Sant'Ignazio in Cagliari.
The shelves feature wine, honey, oil, cheese, and other local products, but the initiative's goal goes beyond sales. The project aims to create new opportunities for local producers and combat the abandonment of inland villages.
"The opening of this shop represents an important sign of solidarity, but also of development and promotion of employment," explains Archbishop Giuseppe Baturi of Cagliari. "The products come from the Gerrei region, which is experiencing phenomena such as depopulation, land abandonment, and the departure of many young people. With this opening, we want to demonstrate our desire to continue investing in quality work and the land, thanks to a solidarity that unites those who produce and those who choose to purchase quality products, not in a spirit of exploitation but of mutual support."
The project is the result of a process that began several years ago and involved the Diocese, Caritas, and numerous local organizations.
"There's a lot of work behind this inauguration," emphasizes Don Marco Lai. "Abandoned lands are being rediscovered, products that were at risk of disappearing have instead found a new purpose. It's a path against depopulation that puts people and our land at the center."
The new shop thus becomes an exhibition and sales space, but also a place to promote a different development model.
"We want to build a new ethical economy," concludes Don Marco. "All this has been possible thanks to Caritas, the Social Enterprise, and the care we provide for people. We hope this is just a starting point for the project's further growth."
