Impacts of International Immigrants’ Capitals on Neo-Endogenous Rural Development in the French and Spanish Pyrenees

Abstract

This article examines the relationship between rural development and international immigration in the Pyrenees, highlighting a neo-endogenous approach that leverages immigration’s benefits. Grounded in a European-funded project, the research used qualitative methods and case studies in rural areas of the Girona and Huesca Pyrenees (Spain) and Pyrénées-Orientales (France), in a fieldwork conducted in 2022. Findings show that some immigrant entrepreneurs create small-scale businesses with limited economic impact, but enrich the cultural and social fabric, introducing new skills and ideas for addressing rural challenges. These immigrants particularly value local culture and landscapes, fostering sustainability and community. Despite limited institutional support, the article argues that international immigration can help build inclusive, resilient, and sustainable rural communities through local collaboration and diversity.