A few days ago, news broke that in Sant Julià de Lòria, specifically in Auvinyà, a group of entrepreneurs was launching a new life experience — a truly innovative and disruptive business concept that aims to provide an imaginative solution to a range of demands emerging from our ever-evolving society.
In fact, we are all aware of the challenges that newcomers face when trying to settle in the country today, especially when it comes to finding a place to live. Think of the cold impersonality of a hotel, or once you’ve secured a rental property, the high costs and logistical complications of moving and furnishing it. In light of this reality — one that has affected hundreds of entrepreneurs arriving in Andorra in recent years — imagine arriving in a country and finding a space that offers you an “instant community” to ease your transition, with a room to sleep in and shared spaces to work and live together, exchanging experiences and creating synergies with other entrepreneurs like yourself.
The concept of shared workspaces has already been widely developed in the Principality in recent years, especially since its legal regulation through Law 42/2022 of December 1st on the digital economy, entrepreneurship, and innovation. However, this law does not cover a key element of communal living: leisure time — that personal time, separate from work, which allows for meaningful experiences through interaction with others who share compatible or complementary interests. This is where coliving comes in, also mentioned and regulated within the same legal text. In fact, one of the unique aspects of the project is that the space in Auvinyà will offer local residents the opportunity to become part of this community, giving them access to the facilities and activity calendar through a membership system — perhaps structured as a club or something similar.
It is inspiring to imagine an innovative, pioneering space located in an idyllic part of our country, promoting a new lifestyle focused on quality of life, enjoyment, and human development within a community — combining nature, learning, entrepreneurship, art, science, health, well-being, and spirituality. In short, an Andorran project that could set a trend across Europe in the coming years — and proudly “Made in Andorra.”
It sounds good, really, although, as always, there will be skeptics who will only see a private business and all the grievances and disadvantages in the world. I think society must begin to learn to distinguish what adds value from what doesn’t. You’ve all heard me talk about the need to promote knowledge in the country, whether through training or research and development, but to do so, we need to create a solid and effective gateway to the country. I believe a project like the one I’m describing can serve as a talent attraction, which is the foundation for everything that may come later. In fact, in addition to digital nomads and entrepreneurs, there will be members of the “club” who are residents of the country, occasional users for specific events related to training, outreach, spirituality, among others, and above all, it seems that it will also host university students. This is fundamental, as it will fill a latent need of the University of Andorra, which wants to attract students from abroad, and to do so, it needs to find them accommodation.
I also believe it could serve to attract some conventional residents who are currently unwillingly occupying homes in the country. If they are offered a much more attractive alternative closer to their interests, it could help free up housing for the local population, who clearly need it. Furthermore, I am aware that other university centers, both domestic and international, are already interested in what a space like the one described could offer, which suggests the possible future activation of a true knowledge hub, and moreover, in the most “university-oriented” parish in the country.
So let’s keep an open mind and adopt a conscious attitude toward what this upcoming Andorran coliving experience could bring to the country — a unique, innovative project that will no doubt help build Brand Andorra, and that could even be replicated in the most diverse corners of the world… if, of course, everything turns out as its enthusiastic founders have envisioned! Good luck to all, and good luck to Andorra!
