xavier

Spain 

Introduction 

Children’s traffic park construction in the city of Priego de Córdoba aims children learn the traffic rules and acquire habits of behaviour and prudence in the use of the roads as pedestrians; Knowing the closest environment of the students in relation to traffic; Using private and collective transport properly and responsibly as travellers; Discovering the importance of road signs and understanding their meanings; Developing a sense of responsibility riding a bicycle and be aware of the dangers or risks involved on it; Knowing the rules and signs regarding the use of a bicycle; Choosing suitable places for the driving and use of the bicycle and other similar vehicles; Fostering habits of observation and being on the alert of the traffic, both as pedestrians or drivers; Creating correct circulation habits in children. 

Presentation of the project 

Project location: Project will be placed in the city of Priego de Córdoba, in the Andalusian Region. 

Elements of context (need for action / problem): So many ways are being used, from different perspectives and institutions, to alleviate the devastating social, economic, and human effects caused by traffic accidents, although as we know, the best way to modify human behaviors is through knowledge, reasoning and applying common sense, that is, through education. And when we refer to behavior on streets and highways, we talk about road safety education.  

There is a strong commitment and active participation of the Local Police of Priego de Córdoba, in educational and other initiatives related to Road Education. It means that police officers approach all sectors of the population in a constructive way, improving, with their interventions, the safety, and the coexistence in between vehicles and pedestrians in our city. This pedagogical work has been carrying out in the different schools in our city and villages, which claimed a Children’s Traffic Park.  

The promoter is fully committed to the preventive and educational measures which can be put into practice in a park of these characteristics. Measures which are also responsibility of families. Road safety education is an education in values, civic and respect for others. All these elements can be structured together through a Children’s Traffic Park. 

Objectives: 

1. Knowing the closest environment of the students in relation to traffic  

2. Discovering the importance of road signs and understanding their meanings  

3. Developing a sense of responsibility riding a bicycle and be aware of the dangers or risks involved on it.. 

4. Knowing the rules and signs regarding the use of a bicycle. 

5. Choosing suitable places for the driving and use of the bicycle and other similar vehicles.  

6. Fostering habits of observation and being on the alert of the traffic, both as pedestrians or drivers.  

Actual or expected outputs: 

A children’s traffic park has been created with all the necessary infrastructures for a perfect road safety education aimed to children, that reach every single one of the planned objectives and covers the indicated needs. 

The role of LEADER in the project (funding, support, networking, etc.) 

Since the application form were presented by the promoter till the end of project implementation and the on-site control, the LAG staff have accompanied the promoter to ensure its successfully conclusion. 100% of the cost of the project has been subsidized (Value-added tax was not eligible). The result of the project has been publicized through the LAG’s social media and website. Consequently, the support of the LAG to the project has continued beyond its implementation. 

As indicated, the project file has been selected and passed an ‘on the spot check’, by officials of the Regional Public Administration of Junta de Andalucía, approving and validating its correct and good implementation. 

The project identified as « Construction of Children’s Traffic Park » is considered as an eligible operation, according to the Annex I of 2017 aid scheme, specifically in its aid line 4 « Leisure infrastructures ». 

 In addition to meeting the objectives indicated in the previous point, the Children’s Traffic Park functions as a space with a green area for the use and enjoyment of all citizens, being an infrastructure that allows the conciliation between work, family, and personal life, where children can play safety and, at the same time, it expands the leisure offer to the youth of the city. All these positive effects are aligned to the GDR Subbética Strategic Plan. 

The municipality has been provided with an infrastructure that improves the quality of life of citizens, also being considered by the promoting entity as another tourist attraction of the town, for family and leisure tourism.  

The provision of these infrastructures and services contribute to population retention, even increase, in the territory. 

We consider this project as a transferable one to any other LAGs, due to its cross-cutting nature, because of the benefits of having an outdoor area where it can be worked to improve knowledge, training and road safety education and citizen participation. At the same time, helping for balancing family and working, as well as, offering healthy leisure to young people and a place for practicing sports safely. A place for teaching road safety education, starting with childhood, giving tools and knowledge to avoid traffic accidents, unfortunately, something very common that causes numerous deaths throughout the years. 

Pictures 

Press :  

https://www.andaluciacentro.com/cordoba/priego-de-cordoba/priego-de-cordoba/26511/nuevo-parque-infantil-de-trafico-en-priego-de-cordoba-con-una-inversion-superior-a-los-240-000-euros#startOfPageId26511

https://sevilla.abc.es/andalucia/cordoba/sevi-priego-inaugura-mayor-parque-trafico-infantil-cordoba-referente-educacion-vial-subbetica-202110261954_noticia.html

https://www.lavozdelasubbetica.es/articulo/priego-cordoba/priego-inaugura-nuevo/20211027113536027604.html

Spain 

Introduction 

The objective that the LEADER-NORDESTE Local Action Group hopes to achieve is to continue working with rural women, since they are the fundamental driving force of the rural environment. To make visible the leading role of women in the rural environment and not only women who work in agriculture, livestock, fishing or forestry, but all women who live and belong to the rural environment. To create a large associative movement and territorial governance through the creation of women’s networks. To train them to generate autonomy in order to make their work visible and value it. Facilitate the services of conciliation of work and family life to eliminate barriers and obstacles for women living in rural areas, derived from the sum of women and the inequalities of living in rural areas. 

Presentation of the project 

Territorio Igualdad is a project that arises from the need of the population, to promote equality from a gender perspective and work on equal opportunities between men and women. Among the activities developed with Territorio Igualdad we highlight: Meetings: Presentations and Exchange of experiences of rural women entrepreneurs, Recognitions, Networking Spaces; creation of an Equality NETWORK; technical provision of computer stations and equipment and internet access; Conciliation Services; classroom and on-line training; creation and promotion of contents in the network Voz de Mujer: Memoria y Cultura: interviews, photographic reports, web-series (La Gavilla), videos, etc. 

The project began with the creation of a logo that included the three projects that make up Territorio Igualdad, as well as a graphic and audiovisual design of the project. Through the website www.adcnordeste.es/territorio-en-igualdad, the Equality Network and newsletter were launched, along with photo and video galleries, a timeline of the multiple actions and making visible all the actions that were being developed through the news blog and social networks. The official presentation initially planned for March 2020 had to be postponed to July due to the pandemic. The more than 80 actions planned were readapted to the circumstances forced by Covid-19, avoiding crowds of women. The reinvention of the actions, far from being a problem, led to an enrichment and more and more personalized actions. The provision of computer stations and equipment with Internet access in social centers in 10 of the territory’s districts was one of the first actions to be implemented. The Rural Women Meetings and the socio-cultural training plan, in classroom and online mode, were focused on boosting social participation, proximity and facilitating the digitalization of women, female entrepreneurship, promoting the use and recycling, the exchange of ideas and experiences, empowerment, transforming the culture and local traditions towards more egalitarian forms and procedures, reducing the isolation of rural women in the most dispersed areas, reducing the digital divide. A detailed study of the situation of one of the municipalities, Fortuna and its districts in terms of mobile coverage is also prepared, proposing solutions to offer the same opportunities to the entire rural population. Itinerant meetings were held in the four municipalities of the region, with open exhibitions where the protagonists were women, giving them social recognition as a woman inspiration. A space for information and business advice, through networking, as well as a day of lectures and exchange of experiences, with debate and analysis on various topics. Through Voz de Mujer: Memoria y Cultura (Women’s Voice: Memory and Culture), audiovisual contents are created to show the current reality of the women who live in the territory in their own voice, through interviews, as well as the creation of the documentary fiction La Gavilla, and Leader Experiences of enterprising women. Through the Plan for the implementation of Conciliation Services, different summer schools have finally been developed, the traditional ones for children from 3 to 12 years old, fundamental to be able to promote work and family conciliation in vacations for the youngest, and after the success of the Youth School 2021 in the hamlet of La Alquería in the municipality of Jumilla, has been launched for this July 2022 the second edition of this initiative for young people between 12 and 17 years, with different themes in addition to fun, promote learning in areas such as art history, local and emerging heritage, painting, crafts, journalism, therapeutic theater, sketches, dramatic play and self-knowledge, music, photography, etc… 

The project is in the finalization and results evaluation phase. The results of Territorio Igualdad have addressed both the needs identified during the Participation Plan of the Participatory Local Development Strategy, EDLP-Nordeste and those that have emerged during its implementation. We highlight the participation of rural women and the collaborative work, considered a project specific to the territory as a whole, which has been adapted to the actions and idiosyncrasies of each rural nucleus and to the pandemic situation. Artistic and interpretative skills have emerged, since the women protagonists of the web-series La Gavilla are women without experience in scenography and filming, and in a totally altruistic way they show aspects of their daily environment, showing enterprising and didactic skills, from different angles, always dynamic and resolute. Some of the virtues of rural women are commitment, tenacity, sense of responsibility, ability to overcome, passion, courage, agility, emotional, conciliatory, fighters, strategic, diplomatic, tolerant of frustrations and above all learn from mistakes, are dynamic and advisors of rural development of the territories, defenders of heritage, culture, traditions rooted in the territories, etc.. In short, women have been empowered and digitized, feeling that they are the protagonists of their contribution to the rural environment, through the Equality Network. 

This project is a priority for LEADER in our EDLP: 

• To make visible the leading role of women in the rural environment and not only women who work in agriculture, livestock, fishing or forestry, but all women who live and belong to the rural environment. 
• To create a large associative movement and territorial governance through the creation of women’s networks. 
• To train them to generate autonomy in order to make their work visible and value it. Facilitate the services of conciliation of work and family life to eliminate barriers and obstacles for women living in rural areas, derived from the sum of women and the inequalities of living in rural areas.  
• Climate and environmental benefits, economic benefits and societal benefits, foster gender equality, generational renewal, etc. 

The initiative of the Youth School in a scattered nucleus is involving young people in learning about different topics, generating governance with the presentation and promotion in different events to the older ones, generally grandparents of these young people, energizing and promoting activities in the district with concerts, radio interviews, murals with graffiti in the environment, family trees, time capsules, etc. 

Pictures 

La Gavilla. Presentation. https://youtu.be/66P23HIZA4E 

Chapter 1. LA GAVILLA. « Until today ». 

Chapter 2. LA GAVILLA: « Lateral thinking » 

Chapter 3. LA GAVILLA: « A great team » 

Chapter 4. LA GAVILLA: « Territorio Igualdad » 

Chapter 5. LA GAVILLA. « An unexpected journey » 

Chapter 6. LA GAVILLA. « A field study » 

Chapter 7. LA GAVILLA. “La cuesta colorá” 

Chapter 8. LA GAVILLA. “Hello world” https://youtu.be/- 

ZRCnztwfmg 

France

Introduction

La résidence « La Mèche d’argent » est un EHPAD de 90 places dont 15 places dans une unité sécurisée pour les résidents atteints par la maladie d’Alzheimer ou maladies apparentées. Implanté à Coucy-le[1]Château (Aisne), cet EHPAD s’est installé en 2017 dans de nouveaux locaux, modernes et fonctionnels, dont les abords, non-aménagés, sont cependant peu attrayants. Avec l’aide du Programme LEADER, l’établissement pourra aménager plusieurs espaces attractifs, propices aux échanges intergénérationnels et au lien social : – un jardin avec des agrès seniors et enfants, des espaces ombragés, des potagers, etc. – une cour intérieure avec mobilier et pergolas pour accueillir des animations culturelles ; – un espace boutique avec tables bistrot et aménagement floral pour accueillir des producteurs locaux et des expositions à destination des résidents et des habitants de la communes. Porté par une équipe soignante et une équipe d’animation ayant pour valeurs le bien-être du résident, sa qualité de vie, mais également de fortes valeurs de partage, ce projet constitue l’opportunité d’ouvrir l’établissement sur l’extérieur et de recréer du lien social après le choc des confinements successifs qui ont durement touchés les EHPAD et leurs résidents.

Présentation du projet

La résidence la Mèche d’argent est un EHPAD de 90 places dont 15 places dans une unité sécurisée pour les résidents atteints par la maladie d’Alzheimer ou maladies apparentées. Initialement implantée en ville haute de Coucy-le-Château-Auffrique (Aisne, 992 habitants), à proximité de la forteresse médiévale, avec toute la dynamique du centre-bourg et des animations culturelles, la résidence a déménagé en septembre 2017. Désormais située en ville basse, les résidents ne peuvent plus sortir aussi librement qu’avant. Par ailleurs, si les nouveaux locaux sont plus modernes et fonctionnels, des aménagements s’imposaient pour les rendre plus attrayants aussi bien aux yeux des résidents que des visiteurs. L’EHPAD, dont le projet d’établissement met en avant une volonté d’ouverture, a ainsi souhaité aménager 3 espaces de vie extérieurs afin d’offrir des lieux d’accueil conviviaux et sécurisés : • A l’arrière, la résidence dispose d’un jardin pour le moment sans âme, nu avec quelques bancs. Les résidents n’avaient jusqu’à présent pas cœur d’y aller, par manque d’attractivité de ce lieu, mais également par difficulté d’accès. Le projet prévoyait ainsi la création d’un espace de détente (aménagement de zones d’ombre), de découverte, de partage autour des végétaux et des animaux, des 5 sens, de la motricité pour petits et grands. Un terrain de pétanque déjà existant a été mis en valeur par l’aménagement d’un espace repos/repas ombragé à proximité. Le jardin est ainsi un lieu de rencontres autour d’un agrès musical, au travers d’un atelier jardinage ou d’une séance de parcours de marche sur des agrès adaptés, le tout encadré par un professionnel. L’accessibilité de cet espace aux résidents atteints de la maladie d’Alzheimer fera l’objet d’une attention particulière avec la création d’un espace leur permettant de bénéficier d’un lieu de promenade sécurisé. • A l’avant, la résidence dispose d’un bel espace à ciel ouvert, situé au niveau du sous-sol. Bétonné et peu mis en valeur, cette cour intérieure s’est transformée en lieu d’ouverture culturelle et offre des espaces pour développer le lien intergénérationnel et local avec les familles et les enfants (par le biais de nos partenariats) sur des regroupements et animations programmés (séances de cinéma plein air, théâtre, accueil d’un groupe de musique…). LEADER a permis notamment l’acquisition de mobilier extérieur et l’installation de pergolas. • Enfin, le parvis situé à l’entrée sera envisagé comme un espace transitionnel symbolique de la rue à la résidence. L’EHPAD souhaite y développer les partenariats locaux et le lien social avec l’installation d’un chalet permettant l’accueil de boutiques éphémères, la vente des créations des résidents, la mise en place d’un marché de noël pour les familles et partenaires. Des tables bistrots et un aménagement floral sont envisagés pour cet espace dédié à l’échange, il pourra également servir pour l’accueil d’exposition extérieures afin de donner l’envie de passer la grille. L’EHPAD observe avoir atteint sa pleine capacité avec une vingtaine de personnes sur liste d’attente.

Le caractère emblématique du projet

Avec l’ambition de contribuer au maintien des populations sur son territoire, le Pays Picard – Vallées de l’Oise et de l’Ailette a souhaité orienter une partie de sa stratégie locale de développement vers le soutien aux actions d’amélioration de l’offre existante de services, notamment par la création ou le développement d’espaces promouvant le lien social et intergénérationnel. Situé dans le périmètre de la communauté de communes Picardie des Châteaux, qui compte un peu plus de 17 000 habitants, « La Mèche d’Argent » est le seul EHPAD de ce territoire fortement ruralisé. Par ailleurs, l’établissement a fait le constat, suite à la crise sanitaire liée à la COVID-19, de la nécessité d’aménager des espaces extérieurs ouverts (qui ont manqué pendant les différents confinements) et attractifs afin de palier à une baisse des effectifs liée à une image dégradée de ce type d’hébergement. Le financement LEADER permet de contribuer à la réalisation d’un projet cohérent qui mélange plusieurs démarches expérimentales qui, sans cela, auraient pris des années à se mettre en œuvre, sans doute sans le même niveau de qualité. En effet, il s’agit d’un méta-projet qui propose la création d’un jardin thérapeutique qui ne soit pas ouvert qu’aux résidents mais soit également un lieu d’échanges intergénérationnels, tout en proposant un espace boutique permettant d’impliquer les résidents, les familles et l’écosystème local. Le projet contribue ainsi à ancrer davantage l’établissement comme un acteur du développement et de l’attractivité du territoire. La réalisation de ce projet en un seul tenant, permet de doter l’EHPAD d’un outil propice au développement de partenariats nouveaux avec la communauté de communes, les écoles, le lycée agricole et diverses associations d’horizons différents

Photos

EHPAD La Mèche d’Argent

Pays Picard – Vallées de l’Oise et de l’Ailette

Hauts-de-France

Spain 

Introduction 

The project consists of the acquisition of a dragon boat and a boat for transportation. Pink Steles BCS is a pink dragon. A Dragon Boat sports team made up of women who have had breast cancer. An expression in which the woman is the protagonist and active part in the recovery after this turn in her life, performing an exercise that scientific evidence has demonstrated its importance in physical and psychological improvement. 

This sporting practice in pink dragons began in 1996 in Canada, questioning rehabilitation practices, since the health sector was reluctant, and this belief still exists, to the performance of strength exercises that involved the upper part. The focus is on lymphedema, a sequela that with these movements can not only improve, but also prevent its appearance. This movement, the Dragon Boat against breast cancer, category BCS (Breast Cancer Survivor), begins to spread throughout the world rapidly, coloring the waters with strength, hope, cooperation, fight and dedication. In 2016 it arrives in Cantabria. 

Giving light to this way of facing an illness is creating a community that promotes health and increases quality of life through sport. 

Presentation of the project 

In 2016, the Elemental Estelas Rosas BCS Sports Club was established with the aim of rowing a Dragon Boat, an ancient discipline from the East, without availability to date of this type of boat, it begins in Trainera (Typical Cantabrian regatta boat). A few months later, the Spanish Dragon Boat Association gave up a 22-seater boat (2017), thus beginning to row in the Ebro Reservoir, in La Población (Campoo de Yuso). 

Being desired, practicing this type of canoeing to obtain all its benefits is quite arduous due to the dimensions of the boat. The frequency of going out into the water due to the number of people necessary to move the boat optimally and without damage, was not significant, leading to the inadequacy of the sporadic practice, and even, and worse due to the starting point, the negative for the person’s own health. Added to this is the handicap that Dragon Boat is a team sport, to obtain its benefits as part of that group, both on a sporting and social level, habit and routine are part of the success equation. 

It is in 2018 when, through the LEADER Program of the Campoo Los Valles Local Action Group, the possibility of a small boat, a DB12 (Dragon Boat with 12 paddlers) for the Estelas Rosas BCS team, is achieved. 

Performing this sport carries many benefits and specifically, so this project corresponds to the woman who has been diagnosed with breast cancer, specific benefits for the different surgeries, possible lymphedema, improvement of the body parts and muscles involved; also others associated with self-perception, self-esteem, with the consequences that affect the psychological area; and, of course, what is related to the social level, support, camaraderie, and new experiences are generated. 

The LEADER program through the local action group Campoo Los Valles has provided the financial support that was needed for the implementation of this project and helps to make visible the projects that are being developed in the region. 

This project is a priority because it meets one of the 6 objectives of the Local Development Strategy of the Campoo Los Valles region. This objective is: 

Quality of life: women, youth, dependency and care for the elderly 

Dragon Boat being a sport that is about 3000 years old, it was not until 2016 with the help of Dr. McKenzie that its effects on breast cancer recovery were studied. “The movement”, as it is known, is quickly spreading about what the pink dragon boat entails and its philosophy, with much more work in Spain for its acceptance and recognition, also because the sport had only been implemented for a few years, since 2003, compared to the rest of the countries. In 2016 Las Estelas Rosas became the second BCS Dragon Boat team in Spain and together with the pioneers and the following teams, they created a network of support and growth for the successive ones. 

This project is perfectly replicable in other LEADER territories that have a body of water. Unfortunately, breast cancer is a disease that people all over the world suffer from… finding a safe space in which to share with other sick people helps to build networks that benefit social issues in the region. 

It is a sustainable project that promotes the natural environment with the incomparable setting of the Ebro Reservoir. Practicing sports in natural spaces is a good strategy to improve the quality of life in adults, improves psychosocial well-being and reduces anxiety and stress. stress. Furthermore, talking about Dragon Boat is talking about inclusion, diversity, it is a sport that can be practiced by different people, of different ages and with different physical conditions. Thus, the provision of a fascinating sport is brought closer to the population of Campoo Los Valles, providing another resource for health and, not being the target population objective, to rural women, sometimes isolated and limited in access to the media. of the community. 

According to the WHO (1946) “health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, and not only the absence of illnesses or diseases” therefore, the pink dragon boats are a path in which women are part of their recovery, the voice is raised to promote a holistic and multidisciplinary approach to the disease, awareness is created at a social level and it is possible to recover, and even improve, what « one day cancer took away. » 

Pictures 

Spain 

Introduction 

Magical Autumn, a celebration of nature that involves an entire rural region, is a project led by the Local Action Group that has successfully become an economic catalyst based on promoting activities in a highly attractive natural environment in a responsible manner, fostering environmental respect, and enhancing territorial governance. 

The project is located at Ambroz Valley, West side of Spain near Portugal in Extremadura region. Is an event that includes more than 70 activities over six weekends around the month of November. It is a celebration in which outdoor activities take center stage, such as hiking, cycling, orienteering, photography, astrotourism, or mycology, among others. 

But it also features traditional cuisine, craftsmanship, music, theater, and other recreational offerings. 

Along the way, it has managed to grow and become a recognized festival throughout Spain, receiving awards and recognition, and it has even been replicated in other European countries. 

Presentation of the project 

The project is located at Ambroz Valley, West side of Spain near Portugal in Extremadura region. It involves the 8 municipalities covered by the LEADER project: Abadía, 

Aldeanueva del Camino, Baños de Montemayor, Casas del Monte, La Garganta, Gargantilla, Hervás and Segura de Toro. 

Ambroz Valley is a rural area that suffered a deep economic crisis at the end of the last century. At the same time, the tourism business was growing and becoming the economic alternative for the area. However, tourists came only in Spring and Summer, which was a serious obstacle for the development of the business. At the same time, the LAG (Local Action Group) was starting to work in the area and faced the problem of localism: people weren’t used to working united as Ambroz Valley, and there was a need for a new idea that could bring them together to work towards a common goal. 

The Magical Autumn is an event that includes more than 70 activities over six weekends around the month of November. It is a celebration in which outdoor activities take center stage, such as hiking, cycling, orienteering, photography, astrotourism, or mycology, among others. But it also features traditional cuisine, craftsmanship, music, theater, and other recreational offerings. 

Its first edition took place in 1998, promoted by the Local Action Group and funded through the LEADER program. It has been celebrated every year without interruption, and in 2023, it marks its 26th edition, and it has achieved the status of National Tourist Interest Festival in Spain. Since its beginning, it continues to be organized by the Local Action Group and funded through LEADER funds. 

The project has three main objectives: 

• Breaking the tourist seasonality in Autumn, discovering that this season is very attractive, and helping to maintain employments 
• Overcome the barriers that obstruct the common work, encouraging self-esteem, improving living quality and maintaining the population. 
• Discover the value of our environment, and thus the need for caring for it. 

Talking about the results, it has achieved important economic benefits: 

• It has become a National Interest Fiesta, with nearly 40.000 participants in 2022 edition. 
• Magic Autumn has been finalist in Natura 2000 AWARD at 2018, promoted by EC, and won several awards like the best tourism project of the region of Extremadura in 2022 by the Regional Rural Network (REDEX).. 

Also social and environmental benefits: 

• It helps a lot to increase living quality in the area, and helps fighting depopulation 
• The event relies on the rich nature of the area, and thus it nurtures the need of caring the environment. 

It also has been a success from the point of view of empowering the population. 

It is the only project that involves a whole area of 8,000 inhabitants, connecting cultural associations, sports clubs, municipalities, women’s associations, and many individuals working together towards a common goal. 

The LAG is working to help Magical Autumn achieve the status of an INTERNATIONAL Tourist Interest Festival. 

Magical Autumn has been a key project in uniting all the municipalities in the area to work towards a common goal. In this regard, the leadership of the Local Action Group has been vital, as it has allowed the project to continue until it has become a hallmark of the Ambroz Valley. The support of the LEADER program has also been crucial, enabling the event to be developed year after year without interruption, maintaining its quality. 

The distinctive element of this project is that activities are organized by the Local Action Group in collaboration with civil society within the region, rather than by external companies. This optimizes the use of public funds available for the project, which are modest considering the quality, quantity, and impact of the scheduled actions. 

Undoubtedly, the project has had a significant economic impact, resulting in job creation during what was previously a period of low tourist occupancy. It has also greatly contributed to promoting this tourist region both within and outside of Spain. 

From an environmental perspective, important milestones have been achieved, such as the Red Natura 2000 award, and increased environmental awareness through the annual actions included in Magical Autumn. 

The fact that local associations, especially those led by women, play a central role in several activities throughout the event clearly boosts the self-esteem of the local population and, as a result, strengthens the social fabric of the region. 

The idea is absolutely transferable, in the Extremadura region, the neighboring area Valle del Jerte started the project « Otoñada » inspired by our project. 

Within the cooperation project « 5 Star Nature, » involving 6 LAGs from Estonia, Finland, Italy, and Spain, the partners started a similar project in Estonia called the Mud Month Festival (Porikuu Festival) in 2019. 

Pictures 

Website of the event: https://visitambroz.es/otono_magico/otono-magico-2023/ 

Short video of 2022 edition: https://youtu.be/nviCvEZJcYo?si=oOtnUy716r0bBKqH Spot of Magic Autumn: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wVY7JytPTYE&t=6s  

Facebook profile: https://www.facebook.com/ambroz.magico/ 

Instagram profile: @valleambroz 

Spain 

Introduction 

« THE INSTALLATION OF AN ESSENTIAL OIL DISTILLERY » is a project that has consisted of the start-up of a new distillery in a municipality located in an area of extreme depopulation of Castilla-La Mancha (Spain), taking advantage of the identification of the potentialities of the cultivation of aromatics and the competitive advantages it offers in the production of goods and services in that territory. 

The lavender plantation and its impact and incidence has become a driving force for the socio-economic development of the territory and Leader has contributed decisively to mobilising the energy and resources of many people and organisations in the area to make them actors in this development by promoting projects that have been generated from the production of essential oils. Thus, important tourism and social initiatives have emerged in recent years linked to an exponential increase in visitors that have revitalized the rural area. 

It also highlights the innovation of the project for the use of a circular product based on a model that involves the reuse of lavender waste for pellet manufacturing and the sustainability of the project for its commitment to self- consumption and renewable energy with photovoltaic panels. 

Presentation of the project 

In the installation of an essential oil distillery in the municipality of Escamilla (Guadalajara), lavender oil will be produced, which is in high demand in the aromatic market thanks to its healing, antiseptic and perfumery properties. 

The main contextual element of this project is the consequences of the extreme depopulation of this area, which is causing a loss of economic dynamism. This makes it necessary to act with projects like this, which not only counteract these effects but also stop the exodus of many who leave their villages in search of better opportunities. The aim is to create a cultural identity for the territory with the potential of this crop that promotes sustainable territorial development and the fight against depopulation. 

The objectives of the project lie in obtaining essential oils through the process of distillation of lavender flowers and lavender by steam entrainment in a rustic estate with an area of almost 340 m2. It is a process of separation of substances insoluble in water, since water is added to the mixture containing the product to be separated and the whole is subjected to the distillation process. Once separated, the oil that is generated is mixed with cold water and hot water, thus producing the appearance of the essential oil. Therefore, the investment in this case has encompassed both the construction of the warehouse and the machinery and technical facilities required to carry out the activity. 

As a result of the project, it is planned, in addition to achieving a high quality of lavender essential oil production, to extend the experience to identify other potential ones that can be examples of good practices for other territories. The municipality of Escamilla, with little activity, will improve significantly since it will create jobs in the medium term, which would make it possible to create activities and new basic services that do not exist today. It is also intended to increase the cultivation of aromatic plants among farmers in the area. 

Leader’s support is essential in this project to reach the necessary investment where there was no funding. Summarizing the amounts subsidized for projects derived from the cultivation of lavender, in addition to those directly related to distillation, only in Brihuega and other affected municipalities, in this last programming period, the aid of almost € 771,000.00 stands out in a total invested of more than € 2 million of several that are directly linked to the increase in visitors and the revaluation of tourism (installation, improvement, modernization of shops, tourism and handicrafts…). Of particular relevance is the Leader aid that led to the restoration of the roof of the main building (the only circular industrial building in Europe) of the Royal Cloth Factory of the municipality, later converted into a 5-star hotel and which has involved more than € 14 million of investment, the creation of 75 direct jobs and the influx of thousands of people. 

Its innovative character lies in its circular work, generating steam with olive pits from olive trees in the area and closing that circle, making it a zero-expense facility because with the waste of the distillate lavender itself, pellets are manufactured to serve as combustion to generate steam. This is the great novelty, which completely banishes diesel as a fossil fuel and makes the distillery self-sufficient also with solar panels. 

It is a priority for Leader as the project responds to multiple needs of the territory detected in the FADETA strategy in order to act on them. The resources most valued by FADETA on which our strategy is based have to do with the problems of depopulation and demographic aging and the beginning of the economic revitalization of its municipalities. The project to install an essential oil distillery responds to the challenges faced by the region and is part of its strategy, as it promotes: 

• The conversion of the territory into a Territorial Innovation Ecosystem that values the natural, social and economic capital of the region, as a space for new projects. 
• The response to the challenges of the Demographic Challenge in the region. 

The dissemination effect of the results is one of the main objectives of the LEADER projects. This project has great potential for transfer to similar situations and can serve as an example to other RDGs in terms of the knowledge and practices developed. It could be transferred, for example, to the production of sumac, a plant whose traditional use is to tan hides and which is now used in medicine as an astringent and antifungal and in cooking as a superfood, and which could generate, also as a driving activity, another series of derived initiatives that generate wealth in a territory. 

Pictures 

Spain 

Introduction 

The project consists of the installation of an indoor ski center through a platform of about 80 square meters that has a rolling mat and simulates the conditions of a real snow slope. 

Although the installation does not provide the magic of sliding through the mountains of the Campoo valley, it has numerous educational and comfort advantages with respect to the mountains, which make it a perfect tool for learning and perfecting the technique. 

The speed and inclination of the slope are variable and adjust instantly to the skill level of the skiers. The slope adapts perfectly to all profiles, from people who have never skied to highly competitive athletes. wheelchair skiers… 

The facilities have a large mirror installed in front of the piste in which the skiers see themselves reflected, receiving, (along with the instructor’s instructions), instant feedback on the technical gestures they are executing, which helps them identify and better understand errors and better apply instructor corrections. 

Presentation of the project 

The project is located in the Campoo Los Valles region, specifically in the municipality of Campoo de Enmedio and close to the Alto Campoo ski resort. Alto Campoo is a medium-sized winter resort that, mainly due to its good terrain and good communication routes, has a large influx of public. 

Snow is a meteorological phenomenon that is difficult to predict, so those who are dedicated to winter sports always have the uncertainty of what the campaign will be like. 

The objectives of this project are to guarantee the beginning of the winter season without depending on snow conditions, launching classes, courses, and training in the simulator before the opening of the Alto Campoo slopes and de-seasonalize the activity of the company, working and billing throughout the year. 

The expectations of this project are to become a complement to the Alto Campoo Winter Station, offering its users the possibility of preparing physically and technically during the preseason, guaranteeing the beginning of the winter season without depending on the snow conditions and providing the perfect tool for learning and perfecting the technique to later put it into practice in the mountains. 

Having a ski resort is a great socioeconomic advantage for the entire region and, with this modern and innovative initiative, it will position Campoo Los Valles as a reference destination for skiing and snowboarding. 

The LEADER program through the local action group Campoo Los Valles has provided the financial support that was needed for the implementation of this project and helps to make visible the projects that are being developed in the region. 

This project is a priority because it meets two of the 6 objectives of the Local Development Strategy of the Campoo Los Valles region. These objectives are: 

• Valuation of resources through tourism « Smart tourist destination » “Accessible tourist destination” 
• Small and medium businesses. new technologies and productive innovation. 

That the Campoo Los Valles region became an accessible tourist destination has been one of the great challenges of this programming period. More than 90% of the new rural accommodations are adapted to people with reduced mobility and having adapted leisure activities is a great value. 

The winter season, together with the metallurgical industry, is one of the two engines of the regional economy from which, directly or indirectly, a large part of the population benefits. 

This project is perfectly replicable in any LEADER territory. It is not necessary to have a ski resort to develop it although, in this case, it serves as a complement to the winter season. 

Currently in all of Spain there are only three ski simulators, two of them recently installed and open to the public in the community of Madrid and the third was installed in 2015 in the Health Technology Park of Granada, and is intended for sports research and Only athletes from the Andalusian Winter Sports Federation have access to its use. 

In the rest of Europe the situation is quite different and there are several installations of this type that have already proliferated in countries such as France, Italy, Greece, Germany, Austria, the United Kingdom…etc. The high number of facilities that exist in Holland stands out, (country of the pioneering brands in the manufacture of these simulators), despite not having winter stations in its territory. 

The comfort of the indoor slope and the important educational advantages it offers make it the perfect tool for learning and perfecting technique and is the ideal complement for skiers of all levels and ages. 

Pictures 

https://www.facebook.com/dimas.altocampoo/videos/inminente-apertura-de-dimas-ski-indoorinformaci%C3%B3n-y-reservas-608417583/738532754270876/

https://www.facebook.com/reel/292804100231639

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=3007949399341264

Spain 

Introduction 

’Do I show you my village?’ is the experience of visiting a village that you thought could not teach you anything, and leaving after two hours of pleasant walk, having enjoyed everything discovered and wanting to repeat it. 

But they are also walks that value the 2000 years of history of Castile, taught by the residents themselves, with the grace of someone who discovers a hidden secret. 

It is a tool that allows intergenerational relationships, valuing the knowledge of our elders while contributing to the local economy. 

It is an original and unique solution in Europe, protocolized, scalable and replicable, an innovative project that tries to solve various problems in rural areas in an original way. 

‘Do I show you my village?’ a pilot project in the EU, which seeks the defence of rural heritage from a new perspective through training and empowered resident volunteering. Through our protocol, the heritage of the municipality is studied, translated into an interpretive walk that synergizes with local businesses and it is launched free visits that show and value rural heritage. 

Presentation of the project 

ADRI Ribera del Duero Burgalesa, who fights for rural development in the south of the province of Burgos (Castilla y León), is made up of municipalities, associations and companies that represent this territory. With 2000km2 and 18.000 population, ADRI RDB works here since 1996. 

Rural areas suffer strong loss or deterioration of an enormous material and immaterial heritage due to the lack of knowledge, valuation and maintenance of this, as well as the budget to achieve it. In the current context of the rural environment, these elements are not accessible to the general public, due to their signage, conservation, ownership and degradation of their entrances. The valorization of the inventoried assets of our heritage is promoted, encouraging their conservation according to their original function and avoiding their deterioration. 

In unknown village and without any visitors, when the heritage is in high risk of disappearance the objectives of our project are: 

• ‘Being ‘Rural’ in the Ribera del Duero Burgalesa shire: Making the neighbours part and proud of the rural areas. 
• Heritage: Keeping, defence and recovering the heritage. 
• Joining intergenerational links. 
• Citizen participation. 
• Social connection: Create new meetings though relationships. 
• Wealth generation: Attract visitors to wealth generation in the area. 

The actual outputs are: 

• 35 villages involved. 

• 52 active volunteer members. 
• More than 9.150 visitants (from the beginning of the Volunteering Program in 2018). 
• They spend an average amount of 12 € per person in the rural business. 
• 410 Cultural Heritage elements recovered: Cultural, religious and military properties; Industrial elements; Traditional Architecture and elements; Natural heritages; Immaterial cultural and Wineries architectural heritage elements. 

This initiative looks for the integration among the different social actors in the territory. The citizens participate in the management and the heritage spreading unselfishly in the rural area. 

Around 27% of the EU population lives in rural areas sharing economic, social and environmental problems, resulting in unemployment, disengagement, depopulation, marginalisation or loss of cultural, biological and landscape diversity. This initiative is guided with a protocol and the model could be shared as a good practice and replicated. 

The role of LEADER in TEMP is important. It supports with basic costs as the website, that it is really important to put our shire in the world, or other technological elements to realise the formation of the volunteers each month (videoconference system). Moreover, it takes part in a radio programme in which, once a week, the coordinator of the project does a summary of the visits this weekend, new volunteers, present a picturesque heritage element, etc. The insurance for volunteers and visitors also is essential to organize the project what is funding by LEADER. 

The project is the experience of visiting a village by its neighbours, which is the emblematic element. In 2018 was an innovation in our shire, and five years later is a reality here where more volunteers and villages have unit to this rural project. 

In the recent strategy, the population has declared, related to TEMP, as debility: 

• Seasonal tourism, and it does not get publish the cultural, heritage and ethnographic tourism in the commercial channels 
• Little dialogue between municipalities, localism 
• Weak conscientious in cooperation work 

The threats are: 

• Few collaboration/coordination institutional culture that minimize the impact of develop actions 
• Depopulation in smallest villages, deterioration and lost of its heritage 
• Stigmatisation of the image of rural areas in general 
• Few attraction to come by new workers 

The strengths are: 

• Exceptional heritage resources (cultural, archaeological, ethnographic, nature,…) very diverse 

• Quality and quantity touristic offer with enough accommodation 
• Dynamism and strength of cultural associations 

And the opportunities are: 

• Social and politic recognition of depopulation as a problem 
• Valuation of quality of life in rural areas as a site where search new vital models 
• New population 
• Take root between teenagers and immigrants 
• External promotion of the image of the shire and potential the connection of the shire 

ADRI RDB believes that this project could be possible and necessary in the rest of rural areas. It does not need more than people who love his villages with spirit and heart to protect and taught it to visitors. Voluntary service is an opportunity to do something to your territory. 

In a close future, ADRI RDB hopes to be the coordinator of a LEADER Cooperation project, first in Castilla y León and, after that, in the rest of the country or, why no, in Europe. 

Pictures 

Ireland 

Introduction 

The Lakeside Shop & Tearooms is the operating name of the project, which combines a traditional community centre- with an integrated shop and cafe selling basic groceries and cooked meals to visitors on a daily basis.  The concept arose from the closure of the last commercial shop in the village, and the need to both replace a dilapidated community hall- and address the need for a local shop.   

KLP encouraged Windgap Community Development Clg. to integrate a community-owned shop/ café to its proposed application for a new community building.  KLP supported the project through LEADER and its ‘Community Shop Initiative’ which provided training, planning and capital support for communities without a local shop.  The nearest commercial shop was almost 10 kilometres away. 

The new facility proved instantly popular, despite the restrictions of Covid 19, and the Lakeside Shop & Tearooms rapidly became a fixture in the village attracting many locals and visitors to shop, eat and socialize there.  It is now a thriving social enterprise, a classic Smart Village initiative- to which concept KLP is pledged to support development for communities.  It acts as an important gateway to the emerging Lingaun Valley tourism area. 

Presentation of the project 

The project is located on the outskirts of the village of Windgap in southwest County Kilkenny.  The community had seen a long-term decline in facilities for all generations.  The village had an old community facility: a traditional ‘village hall’, that was in a bad state of repair.  On the positive side the community had seen a number of younger people emerge or move to the area, and they combined with longer-resident volunteers to plan a series of revival plans.  These included a new playground adjacent the school and the old hall, a walking-track; partially off road.  These projects built confidence and capacity in the community.  These successes led to the community accepting the bigger project of replacing the old hall.   

With the closure of the last shop- and the loss with that of the local sub-post office, the lack of retail services became very evident.  KLP’s suggestion of the integrated development of the new community centre with a shop- café was embraced and following an excellent design by a local architect, the project commenced and was completed for opening .in June 2019 

The traditional facilities of the community centre have been very much welcomed and well used by the locals and others- including organisations seeking occasional meeting spaces, but The Lakeside Shop & Tearooms has proven the biggest success.  The shop- café has in turn provided a platform for further strategic planning in the tourism and related sectors, which will place the village well to secure its socio-economic future. 

The facility services a wide range of users: the parents/ guardians and children frequenting the playground, visitors to the waling routes and the wider Lingaun Valley’s heritage and tourism assets, isolated and older people availing of the high class cooked food and- not to be minimised, socialisation opportunities, friends meeting for a chat, locals purchasing basic groceries.  The shop is managed by a coordinator paid for from a government employment scheme, but largely staff by volunteers from the community.   

The mark of the success of the ‘community shop/ café’ venture was the decision by a local business to open its own shop beside the community shop a couple of years following the opening.  The success has led some other private enterprises to consider other investment, with the prospect that the facility will form the central node in other businesses related to visitor accommodation and related services. 

KLP use of LEADER was central to the overall development of the several Windgap projects referenced above, and was crucial to the development of the shop-café.  Without the animation support of KLP Development Officers, the availability of training in the community shop concept, further by Smart Village information/ training, Analysis and Development funding of the drafting of the building plans, etc.- and finally the significant contribution towards capital costs of construction and fit-out, the project would not have proceeded. 

The project is an emblematic and innovative project in the emerging Smart Village concept tradition.  The expansion of a network of ‘community shops’ in the face of the decline of rural towns/ villages and their services to their residents and hinterlands, was and remains a key part of KLP’s Local Development Strategy.   

The project provides a social focal point for a community that had lost such a vital resource.  Since the opening of The Lakeside Shop & Tearooms the village and its wider parish area has started to thrive and grow in confidence and ambition.  The evidence of new businesses emerging and opening is an indicator of this reality.  Windgap and the Lingaun Valley that its sits in, is primed for further development.  Some of which will inevitably be community-led and supported- and some will be private enterprises planting into the soil tilled by Windgap Community Development Clg. and other community and social enterprises. 

The project is an exemplar for transference to other parts of County Kilkenny- and to other LAG regions.  The basic underlying mechanism is that of social enterprises filling the gap that commercial markets either cannot – or no longer want to fill.  As the ‘market’ increasingly withdraws from rural areas, if communities want to retain retail and other services, they may have to consider doing it for themselves!   

The project is fully aligned with the Smart Village concept.  KLP would aspire to form a network of community shops- cafes in the wider Kilkenny region to share experiences and resources.  Three such retail social enterprises have been mentored by KLP over the two most recent programmes.  KLP sees cooperation and networking as much as resource sharing as being essential to their survival and thriving. 

Pictures 

Video link: RTÉ 1 NATIONWIDE in WINDGAP 

Ireland 

Introduction 

The community of the twin villages of Piltown and Fiddown- in south County Kilkenny, Ireland built Ireland’s first community-owned fibre to the premises (FTTP) broadband network in Ireland.  Broadband for Our Community Clg.: the community’s non-profit company, has negotiated for backhaul on to the spine broadband system, dug trenches and erected poles to carry fibre optic cable to premises, purchased and installed switching and other hardware and sold the service to their fellow community members with the key sales points that: 

• Being FTTP, it is a future-proofed system- with effectively no limits on speeds. 
• It will be provided at a marginal rate to the local community and businesses: below the usual commercial rate. 
• Any profits- and there is significant revenue projected when the network is complete, will be reinvested in the expansion and improvement of the broadband facilities- and/ or in other non-broadband community facilities or activities.  Keeping the revenue in the local loop. 

The network is in place with over 100 buildings are now covered by the broadband network, and the social enterprise is already turning an operational profit.  The community plans to complete another 650 homes in both towns by the end of 2024. 

Presentation of the project 

The project is based in the closely adjacent Piltown and Fiddown villages in south County Kilkenny, with a combined population of approximately 1,600 people in 750 homes in a 3.4 sq km area have high-speed internet access of more than 150Mbps thanks to a local voluntary initiative. 

Broadband 4 Our Community (B4OC), the community’s non-profit company, was conceived following several years of research and investigation of the technological options to address the broadband deficit of rural communities.  This included many meetings with communities, local development peers, municipalities, commercial and state broadband stakeholders.   

That initial process eventually led to Kilkenny LEADER Partnership’s (KLP) ‘Blue Town’ animation initiative: a series of roadshow information and training sessions funded through the LEADER programme.  The initiative’s title was taken from the fact that towns outside the Irish state’s National Broadband Plan (NBP) funding areas, were coloured ‘blue’ on the NBP project map.  The NBP would not fund broadband in very many rural villages- including Piltown- Fiddown due to their adherence to the definition of what constitutes high-speed broadband.  Blue Town areas were identified as having ‘Next Generation Access’ (NGA) broadband speeds. 

The EU’s NGA standard- of 30 mbps download was agreed in 2010.  By the time of its proposed implementation date across the Union, it was seen as more of a minimum standard.  However, NGA was the standard that the NBP used in deciding which areas did not require state investment. 

The Blue Town initiative focused firstly on the practical effects of Irish government and commercial policy and funding positions with regard to rural broadband to rural areas.  But as part of the Blue Town roadshow, KLP sought expression of interest in communities interested in installing, operating and owning their own FTTP network.  From those interested parties Piltown- Fiddown was selected as the pilot.  B4OC was established as a nonprofit company to drive the network development.  The new company appointed an appropriately qualified one of their volunteers to work as a Coordinator from among the volunteers, who continued to do the bulk of technical, sales/ marketing, financial planning, administration, and construction works on the project. 

KLP used LEADER to assist B4OC in the technical network planning and financial modelling, the training of volunteers to perform tasks such as fibre optic cable splicing, installation, etc.  Due to national restrictions on LEADER supporting many broadband capital elements, KLP secured a private philanthropy fund: Tomar Trust, to support that vital element.  B4OC negotiated backhaul linage and capacity from a broadband node on the Irish Rail line which ran through the area.  This being the first such community link, was one of a series of firsts for Piltown-Fiddown in terms of broadband development in Ireland. 

In February 2022 the network went live and the company has connected 100 homes and businesses, with many more in development for connection.  In June 2022 B4OC won the overall Irish Digital Town Award, and in October of the year also won European Network For Rural Development’s (ENRD) overall 2022 Rural Inspiration Award.   

The lack of high-speed broadband has been recognised as an issue in rural Ireland, with it being a clear strategic action in KLP’s Local Development Strategy.  The provision of high-speed broadband as a marginal (rather than a premium) cost is invaluable to attracting and retaining residents and businesses in rural areas. 

The project is a first in terms of community broadband provision in Ireland.  In that it addresses a need that neither the market- nor state actions are addressing.  This in itself is both significantly innovative and valuable as a model.  But there are two more elements that make the project even more valuable and emblematic.   

• The project is eminently scalable and transferable.   
• The project is developing to become a profitable social enterprise, retaining much of the value of the project in the Local Loop. 

Scalability: The lessons of Piltown-Fiddown can be build on in the immediate locality: neighbouring towns and villages that will learn from B4OC’s example. 

Transferability: The project model is also transferable to other parts of both Ireland and other EU states. 

Financially Viable: The business case of a community-owned FTTP broadband network is sound on operation expenses (Op-ex).  Most of the costs are in capital works (Cap-ex), which if supported will allow a relatively quick payback period.  The surplus accruing by the non-dividend distributing company, can be retained as a operational reserve, reinvested in expansion, subsidise lower charges- or invest in other non-broadband community initiatives. 

The success of the Piltown-Fiddown project will mean it can compete for businesses attractions to its community-owned Enterprise Centre; its school can use distance learning technology, its sick and elderly use online consultations; its residents can avail of streaming, teleconferencing and other leisure and utility services.  Once again it is a model for transference to other LAG regions. 

Pictures 

Video of Piltown B4OC