Futuro de Maro – We fight for our fields, our families, our future

Who we are and what defines Maro

Futuro de Maro is a peaceful initiative of campesinos (small-scale farmers) in Maro (Nerja) who are committed to protecting around 600 historically agricultural plots that have been cultivated and maintained for generations: the unique cultural landscape, the sustainable traditions, and the biodiversity that make Maro so special.

This website is the initiative of a group of committed tenants who want to generate national and international attention quickly and in a focused manner in order to protect the fields, the culture, and the livelihood of all 400 affected tenants.

From January 2026 onward, the first forced evictions are imminent – tenants are to vacate their fields before judicial decisions exist. Fruit trees, historic terraces, residential buildings, and casetas would be immediately at risk. We therefore urgently need financial support to pay a legal team that can stop these illegal evictions and sustainably secure the future of Maro.

The entirety of the campesinos (many with families) consists of small-scale farmers, artisans, cultural workers, and academics – predominantly Spaniards, but also originating from more than 20 other countries. The agriculturally cultivated parcels have existed for centuries. For generations, many families have secured their livelihood in this way, as well as the continued existence of Maro’s historic cultural landscape.

Maro has an agricultural cooperative (Coamar) that has been professionally marketing high-quality fruit and vegetables since 1971. Many campesinos are members of the organic farming association and the BAM project – “Bio Agricultura Maro”, which promotes direct sales between producers and consumers.

A growing family business specializing in edible flowers and microgreens also employs numerous local residents (BMaro). Together with independent sellers and subsistence farmers, this diversity forms an important economic driver and the social backbone of the region.

• Maro Bello – litter collection campaigns & landscape maintenance
• Renovation of the acequia – Moorish water canal, maintenance carried out predominantly through voluntary personal effort
• Upcycling & art projects – workshops, children’s programs, creative reuse of materials
• Educational work – knowledge about permaculture, nutrition, yoga, sustainable living, an Erasmus project, cultural projects, and much more

Since 2 December 2025, the situation has escalated dramatically:

• The contracts of the campesinos will no longer be renewed from January 2026 onward.
• The destruction of hundreds of hectares of agricultural land has been announced.
• Affected are approximately 400 tenants, 600 campos, and a historic cultural landscape protected by SNU, BIC, landscape protection regulations, and European directives.

We are acting because:

• the evictions pose an existential threat,
• massive irreversible damage is imminent,
• the legally protected cultural heritage must be preserved,
• we want to safeguard traditions, biodiversity, and the local food supply.

We act peacefully, on a sound legal basis, and with a clear goal: protect Maro – secure the future – preserve the natural and cultural landscape.

We protect Maro – its nature, its agriculture, flora, fauna, and culture, its people, its water, and its future.

To this end, the initiators actively commit themselves to:

• the long-term preservation of traditional agriculture,
• the protection of the cultural landscape (BIC, SNU, Zonas de Protección, EU directives),
• sustainable development instead of large-scale destruction,
• the restoration of historical irrigation structures,
• the rights of tenants,
• transparent and fair political decisions,
• projects that benefit all people of the region,
• international recognition as cultural heritage (UNESCO ambition).

We protect Maro – its nature, its agriculture, flora, fauna, and culture, its people, its water, and its future.

How you can help – now!
Spenden
For legal action and public clarification.
Every contribution goes exclusively towards legal protection and public relations work.

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Online, on site, organizational, or communicative.

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