Many of us have dreamt about it ― perhaps those with cultural ties to the Bel Paese even more so: packing up your belongings, saying goodbye to the office and metropolitan life, and up and moving to a remote Mediterranean village to embrace a simpler, sun-soaked existence; a cup of espresso and a basket of fresh picked figs in hand.

For those willing to take the plunge however, what sounds like a farfetched fantasy could soon become a reality ― and you could get payed.

Earlier this year, news broke that the region of Calabria plans to offer up to 28,000 euro over a maximum of three years to people willing to relocate to far-flung towns with around 2,000 inhabitants.

If this prospect has left you incredulously shaking your head, you may be even more surprised to learn that this scheme is merely the latest in a series of similarly open-handed programs in Italy.

The village of Santo Stefano di Sessiano in the Abruzzo region, for example, has offered potential inhabitants up to 52,500 US dollars in grants to work and live there, and the Tuscan commune of Santa Fiora will reportedly assist you with rent payments if you choose to move there and work remotely.

The goal of these aforementioned schemes is to combat years of steady population decline in these sleepy locales. Thus, to qualify, particularly for this latest Calabrian offering, there are unfortunately a few catches.

To be considered eligible for the funding, new residents will need to commit to getting a small business off the ground, either starting their own, or taking up offers of specific pre-existing professional roles that the town is in need of. Calabrian hopefuls will also need to take up residency, and be prepared to relocate to the region within 90 days of their application’s success.

Boomers may also need to hang up their hopes, as the offer is only open to individuals aged 40 and under.

“The goal is to boost the local economy and breathe new life into small-scale communities,” Gianluca Gallo, a regional councilor, told CNN. 

"We're honing the technical details, the exact monthly amount and duration of the funds, and whether to include also slightly larger villages with up to 3,000 residents."

"We've had so far a huge interest from villages and hopefully, if this first scheme works, more are likely to follow in coming years."

Over 75% of the towns in Calabria, which amounts to a whopping 320, have less than 5,000 inhabitants. This has lead to fears that communities could die out completely within a matter of years if they aren’t rejuvenated and repopulated by new inhabitants.

"The goal is to boost the local economy and breathe new life into small-scale communities," Gallo also told CNN.

"We want to make demand for jobs meet supply, that's why we've asked villages to tell us what type of professionals they're missing to attract specific workers."

For those who fit this specific criteria, and feel drawn to a tree or sea change in the quieter corners of Italy’s south, listed below are several of the spots in which you could actually wind up living.

Aieta 

(Photo: ANSA)

This rural village is flanked by both mountains and sea, and is lined with Renaissance palazzos reminiscent of the Tuscan countryside.

Civita

Even Italian speakers might feel out of their depth upon arrival here, with inhabitants speaking a lesser known Slavic dialect called Arbereshe. Perched on a cliff top in the Pollino national park, the population of Civita is barely 1,000.

Bova 

(Photo: ANSA)

A partially abandoned town brimming with antiquity, this one’s for those truly craving the quiet life. Bova is close to Sicily, located in an area called “Greek Clabria” due to an abundance of early settlers who moved there from ancient Greece.

Caccuri 

(Photo: ANSA)

Caccuri boasts a spectacular, well-known, castle, which overlooks winding streets filled with stone homes, narrow alleys and tiny piazzas. Part of its fortress has even been converted into an upscale, luxury resort. Scattered about the hills are olive groves, which yield extra virgin oil of the finest quality.

Santa Severina 

(Photo: ANSA)

Citrus lovers, take heed ― this cliff top village with river views, dotted with palm trees, is famous for its out-of-this-world oranges.

Albidona

Located near Pollino Natural Park, this town spans from Calabria’s coast up into the hills. Those on a budget with fixer-upper tendencies, take note ― one euro houses are for sale in this seaside village!