xavier

Netherland

Summary

The aim of the project was to create a reciprocal transfer between farmer and citizen; making farmers and citizens more aware of each other and a establish a transfer of opinions and interests that encourage both parties to rethink and change behaviour. 

Various activities were organized during the project in which a realistic picture of the current Zeeland agricultural sector was provided, and farmers and citizens discussed agricultural products, the growing of the products and social issues regarding the theme of ‘future-proofing the agricultural sector’. During the implementation of the project, the emphasis was on the younger generation, the future generation that will have to bring about changes, so the educational sector was also extensively involved in the project. Students from secondary vocational education centres were offered educational activities, either in the form of ready-made lessons given by their own teacher or by a farmer as a guest teacher. In addition, teaching chests were made for scholars from secondary and intermediate vocational education,  

Website: www.zeeuwsekringloop.nl.

Presentation

Project location 

The provincie of Zeeland 

Elements of context (need for action / problem) 

The agricultural sector is an important sector in Zeeland, with a major influence on the Zeeland landscape and a major contribution to the Zeeland economy. Despite the fact that there are many agricultural activities in Zeeland and the landscape is not reclaimed, citizens are unfamiliar with this sector. 

The ‘Zeeuwse Kringloop’ project was created through a collaboration between various parties. The Zeeland Agricultural Youth Contact, Zeeuws Land & Viscollectief and Scalda have joined forces to overcome the gap between farmer and citizen. The aim is to make farmers and citizens more aware of each other. During the project, the emphasis is on the young generation if they want to bring about change in the future. 

Objectives 

The impact of the project is that a transferable methodology has been developed that form a broadening and deepening of the current Green Education curriculum. It furthermore reduces the boundaries between citizens and farmers, which can lead to more understanding, but also to more students choosing a career in the agricultural sector. 

Actual or expected outputs 

• Teaching materials 
• Interactive teaching material has been developed from the Zeeuwse Kringloop project that can be used, in the subjects of citizenship and career orientation. The lessons have been developed for secondary eduction / secondary scientific education and secondary education. 
• All secondary schools in Zeeland will receive a teaching box with teaching materials about the agricultural sector. This box is full of fun games for students. All games are interactive and of course very educational. 

• Guest lessons 

From the Zeeuwse Kringloop project, various farmers give interactive guest lessons during the citizenship and LOB subjects. In these guest lessons, the entrepreneurs explain who they are and what they do at their company. They also tell all kinds of fun facts about the sector and talk to the pupils/students in an interactive way. The aim of this guest lesson is to get students to think for themselves where their food comes from and what choices they make. 50 guest lessons have now been given.  

• Excursions 

Various agricultural entrepreneurs in the province of Zeeland open their doors for school classes. During an excursion, students can really experience farm life. 

• Events 

Varios activities have been organized such as : 

1. Cooking workshops 
2. Workshop ‘you can learn to communicate’  
3. Dinner and lunch at the farmer’s house 
4. National outdoor learning day 
5. Farm boot camp 
6. Interactive performance ‘relationship between city and countryside’ 
7. Farmers talk to citizens at a local market 

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

During the intake interview, the LAG adviced about the content of the project and pointed out possible partners and projects with wich a link could be made. Without LEADER recources it would not have been possible to realize this project.  

The emblematic character of the project

The innovation largely lies in the way of communicating. Communication often takes place by social media or by placing signs and is one-sided. Through mutual communication, conscious choices can be made by both farmers and citizens. In addition, the partnerships that have emerged are innovative. 

The theme of ‘living agriculture’ is strongly reflected in this project. This project strengthens the social position of agriculture. Farmers and citizens discuss the current and future-proof agricultural sector, which strengthens the connection between society and the agricultural entrepreneur. There is room for each other’s opinions on discussion papers/issues within the theme ‘future-proof agricultural sector’. Various new partnerships are being established within the project. The partners involved in the project are part of the new partnerships, through the implementation of the project new and deepening partnerships are being created. During the implementation of the project, farmers organize activities on the farm and with their products that they would not normally organize. These activities may lead to a new revenue model for the farmer. A revenue model that focuses on contact between farmer and citizen. If some farmers seek more contact with citizens, this will have added value for the entire agricultural sector. 

The problems in the province of Zeeland are not specific to this region. The objective of the project can also be achieved in other parts of the Netherlands and possibly even beyond. The activities and workshops set up for the project can also be deployed in other areas. Depending on the area, possible with other agricultural products. The partners are open to sharing knowledge about the project, to promote transferability. The portability of the teaching material is also great. Teaching materials are put online for teachers. Teachers who teach outside the province of Zeeland can also use this. 

Pictures

Website: www.zeeuwsekringloop.nl 

Spain 

Introduction 

The project “Productive capacity expansion and cutting line improvement ” has consisted on the state-of-the-art technological equipment acquisition that allows large iron sheets plasma cutting into custom-made pieces which are necessary for forestry machinery manufacturing process; being Talleres Ramón Castro, S.L. main business activity at its facilities located on the Oscos-Eo region (Asturias, Spain). 

Talleres Ramón Castro, S.L. is a company that designs and manufactures exclusive and patented forestry machinery, such as forestry harvesters, felling heads and biomass compactors.  

The project´s idea arose to optimize the production process since the manufacturing of this forestry machinery requires custom-made parts with specific shapes that the market did not offer under favorable conditions.  

In this way, Talleres Ramón Castro, S.L., carries out the entire manufacturing process with the consequent increase in productivity and can thus meet the high demand for existing forestry machinery not only nationally but also internationally.  

It is a company that captured the needs of the local forestry sector and knew how to satisfy them by creating specific machines.  

Presentation of the project 

Talleres Ramón Castro, S.L. is a family company located on Barres Industrial Estate, in the municipality of Castropol (Asturias-Spain), founded in 1980 that, at first, focused its activity on agricultural machinery repairment and marketing.  

As time went by and due to the increase of lumber clients with breakdowns in their machines, the company decided start manufacturing processing heads with greater resistance than those on the market, capable of working with eucalyptus wood. Thus, its foray into the forestry sector dates back to 1997, when it created its commercial brand MONRA FORESTAL (MONRA). Under this brand, it offers comprehensive solutions including exclusive forestry machinery design, development, manufacturing, assembly and after-sales service.  

One of MONRA’s main competitive advantages relies on its products specialization in eucalyptus processing. Delimbing this species entails greater difficulties for lumber workers due to the hardness and branches insertion angle. To solve this problem, it manufactures exclusive machinery suitable for this process. It should be noted that most of the equipment manufactured in Europe is not adapted to working conditions required by eucalyptus. This is why MONRA is the only equipment manufacturer with the level of versatility and demand appropriate for working with hardwoods.  

Among its range of products are also the ENFO biomass compactors, with great recognition in the sector and whose design is protected under an international patent. The availability of this equipment on the market encourages forest biomass use as a source of renewable energy, offering great advantages from an environmental, social and economic point of view. Thus, the use of forest residues is promoted, facilitating repopulation on one hand, and, on the other, the generation of tied, packaged, stackable bales deliverable to any biomass processing company.  

Currently, the company has managed to consolidate itself in the national market by being the only manufacturer of forest biomass processors, harvesters and compactors specialized in hardwoods.  

In 2000, MONRA managed to quickly position itself in the South American market, specifically in Chile and Argentina as well as in Poland and Portugal.  

The subsidized project in 2022 consisted of of a new large plasma cutting machine with the latest features acquisition to improve productivity and diversify its production and which is included in a larger project to expand the company´s productive capacity. This equipment will be installed in a recently built warehouse in the Barres Industrial Estate.  

During the LEADER 2014-2023 period, Talleres Ramón Castro, S.L., has received two grants in the amount of €113,286.80, thus contributing to the economic development of rural areas.  

What gives this project its innovative character is the ability of a small family company, located in rural areas, to adapt to the times and know how to satisfy the needs of a sector.  

What stands out in this company is its great expansion, going from a small company for the repair and marketing of agricultural and forestry machinery with a clientele at the regional level, to a company with more than 5,000 m2 of facilities, which designs, develops, manufactures, assembles and sells its own forestry machinery, differentiating itself by its innovative and exclusive character, and with an international clientele. It is a clear example that rural areas do not prevent global business. It sould also be highlithted Talleres Ramón Castro, S.L. founder´s commitment with his hometown, as he had the opportunity to move to other industrial estates closer to the big cities and that offered more expansion possibilities, but he decided to stay and grow in his town because of the strong roots he has in it. He currently employs 23 people in the area in addition to his self-employed position and his wife´s, both partners in the company.  

The CEDER Oscos-Eo Participatory Local Development Strategy aims to support the economic activity of the Oscos-Eo Region, improve quality and innovate in production processes. This project contributes to forestry sector growth by offering the possibility of working in the mountains with greater comfort and obtaining better results, being the reason why it is considered a priority for LEADER Oscos-Eo.  

This project is a clear example of you can work, grow and even internationalize in rural.  

Pictures 

Company website: https://www.monraforestal.com/index.php/es/  

The Asturian Local Development Network (READER) made several videos of LEADER aid beneficiaries for broadcast on local television and other media. In the following link you can see that of this company: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=grXAKOmoRQc 

Spain 

Introduction 

This project promotes rural, sustainable and environmentally friendly tourism. 

It consists of the installation of 3 cottages, two for rural tourism apartments and another for reception and common services. They are located in a small village in a rural area, in a mountains and meadows environment, and natural materials (mainly native wood). Ecological materials were used for their construction, therefore promoting minimal environmental damage. 

It also has renewable energy means for its operation, both its own by capturing sunlight, and that of the network supplier, which guarantee the supply of 100% renewable energy.  

It also has an “A” energy rating in global CO2 emissions.  

Presentation of the project 

These cottages, whose commercial name is “Cabañas Huma”, are located in Las Cruces, a small village of 16 inhabitants in the municipality of Vegadeo, which belongs to the Río Eo, Oscos and Terras de Burón Biosphere Reserve, ideal territory for hiking and for activities in nature.  

They are perfectly integrated into the environment thanks to the use of ecological and sustainable construction materials, such as the external and internal finish in native wood (local pine). They also have low consumption equipment with the use of aerothermal energy, in addition to having photovoltaic panels so that external energy demand is minimal, which is also from 100% renewable sources.  

The “Cabañas Huma” are located on an extensive property of about 4,500 square meters and are 2 cottages for 2 rural tourism accommodations and one more cottage that serves as reception and common services. Each cottage has the capacity to accommodate two adults and one child in a total area of 40 square meters and an outdoor terrace of 12 and 24 m2 respectively. They are equipped with bathroom with a shower and hydro massage jets, ecological amenities, one 150 cm bed, kitchen, living area with a sofa convertible in bed, air conditioning, heating, aero thermal heating for DHW, TV and Wi-Fi. It has a 5930 W photovoltaic installation with which it seeks to minimize external demand, also having an electric charger for vehicles of clients who might require it.  

In order to fully integrate into the environment, it has a garden in which on the one hand there are completely organic and seasonal garden products (onions, lettuce, peppers…) and, on the other hand, there are aromatic plants such as parsley, mint, thyme, lavender, oregano, lemon balm…, all for the guest’s enjoyment, even if it is symbolic.  

Outside there is a terrace with garden furniture and beautiful views. And all this in a simple design and a Nordic-inspired interior design. Outside, during the usable season, it also has a Spa area with an outdoor jacuzzi perfectly integrated into the environment.  

As a proof of its energy sustainability, the result of energy consumption is published on it´s website, showing of a lower energy consumption compared with the energy produced during the first 11 days of the month.  

This project is innovative because of its respect for the environment:  

• Perfect integration into the environment by using native materials (local pine) in most of its construction.  
• Sustainability, by being self-sufficient with renewable energies.  
• Low CO2 emission, which gives it the highest energy rating in terms of efficiency.  

In the rest of the region´s territory covered by this Local Action Group (GAL) there is no other accommodation of these characteristics, and taking into account the rise of ecological and sustainable tourism, it is likely that it will serve as a reference for other projects, both scope of action of this GAL as well as others, since this project appears in several nationwide tourism publications.

  

Pictures 

Spain 

Introduction 

The project aims, through SMART technology, to develop the automation of opening, video monitoring and closing of more than 80 centres/small museums located – 23 of them are located in villages with less than 100 people- in different rural municipalities in 9 provinces of Spain (Castilla y León and Galicia) and Central Bohem in Czech Republic, promoting the ethnographic, cultural, historic heritage, environmental values of 20 rural territories (LAGs) and creating elements of tourist attraction; improving local environmental education infrastructures, and increasing the self-esteem of the local population.  

With the implementation of the Living Museum system, visitors from rural areas can independently access museums or interpretation centers by managing their visit through an app that ensures availability at opening and security during the visit.  

Presentation of the project 

This project has been developed in the provinces of Burgos (37 museums / 6 LAGs), León (12 museums / 3 LAGs), Segovia (4 museums / 1 LAG), Soria (19 museums / 4 LAGs) and Valladolid (8 museums / 1 LAG) in the region of Castilla y León, and Orense (1 museum / 1 LAG), La Coruña (1 museum / 1 LAG) and Lugo (3 museums 1 LAG) in Galicia (Spain); as well as Lovec (1 museum / 1 LAG) in Central Bohemia of the Czech Republic.  

This project arose to respond to the need to re-open the museums that had closed due to the Global Economic Crisis and the COVID-19 Crisis and the lack of budget in small rural municipalities.  

As agents devoted to revitalising rural areas, the Local Action Groups (LAGs) in Spain and the EU contribute to promoting ethnographic, cultural and natural values in their territories. Since 1992 the Local Action Groups (LAGs) have contributed to the promotion of their rural values in their territories through the LEADER. One of the tools chosen had been the creation of Interpretation Centres, Nature Classrooms, small Museums and other elements that have made tourism activities possible. However, after the 2008-2013 Global Economic Crisis, which particularly affected Mediterranean countries such as Spain, many of these centres were closed to the public due to lack of funds and after the COVID-19 was a hard blow for tourism in rural areas.  

The Smart system has allowed these museums to reopen and show the rural world, the territories and their population the ability to adopt new technologies to provide solutions to their cultural, social and economic problems.  

86 nature centers/ethnographic museums/castles/churches and other elements have been opened to the public and visitors and tourists; and as of October 31, 2023, 117,000 visitors have already been reached.  

This LEADER project has been a clear example of cooperation between the 20 LAGs of Spain and the Czech Republic and is a project that responds to problems in the rural world; and shows the solution for other LAGs and rural territories.  

But Mseos Vivos always makes it clear to museum owners (municipalities and local entities) that it is not a project that serves to destroy jobs, but rather to provide a solution when the museum is already closed due to lack of resources.  

Our web platform www.livingmuseums.eu is an innovative solution and a clear example that our territories are also Smart Villages; because its system of reservations for visits, opening of museums, video monitoring of visits and closing is an example of how territories must adapt to Crisis situations and how they must adopt tools that allow territories to achieve sustainable rural development. 

 

Pictures 

Promotional video 2023 (11’09’’)  

Promotional video (2’25’’)  

Web  

Inicio

Spain 

Introduction 

The action consists of setting up a new line of business dedicated to the production, packaging 

and marketing of organic fertilisers and fertilisers with organic certification for agriculture. 

Presentation of the project 

Location 

The company is located in the industrial estate of Archidona (Málaga), Spain. 

Background and developments 

PERCOFAN has more than 30 years of experience in the hunting sector, in which it has become a 

reference in the South of Spain, with more than 20 employees. However, this sector is 

experiencing a decrease in its turnover. 

To face this situation and ensure a more solid business future, PERCOFAN has launched a new line 

of business, dedicated to the marketing of organic fertilisers and organic fertilisers with ecological 

qualification. 

Description of the project and objectives achieved 

Activity of elaboration and distribution of fertilisers with certificate for an ecological, sustainable 

agriculture, avoiding the incorporation of harmful chemicals to the soil, contributing to the 

improvement of the environment in general. 

The subsidised investment consisted of machinery and facilities for the production and packaging 

of the products. 

Objectives: 

• Diversification of the activity of a rural enterprise with a new activity. 
• To increase the economic competitiveness of the company. 
• Contribute to the maintenance and creation of employment. 
• Environmental contribution 

After more than 2 years of activity, the evolution of the project is remarkable in terms of market 

acceptance and sales volume. The activity continues to grow and expand. 

Specifically, the project seeks to diversify the activity of more than 30 years carried out by the beneficiary company, expanding its activity and contributing to the maintenance and creation of employment in the rural area. 

The project activity contributes to the strategy of the RDG by its environmental character: it promotes sustainable agriculture. 

Generally speaking, because of its demonstrative effect on the territory. 

Pictures 

https://www.fraymendel.com/abono-fenorganic-ecologico-evita-usar-quimicos-en-cultivos-agricolasel-

producto-elaborado-en-base-a-una-biotecnologia-propia-se-llamara-fenorganic-y-se-envasa/ 

Spain 

Introduction 

The SENIOR SPACE project seeks to promote the creation of communities and territories friendly to the elderly, acting on DEMOGRAPHIC CHANGE, making the group of older people visible, both in decision-making and in seeking the implementation of services that treat this sector of the population as a generator of employment and not as an irreversible problem and thus facilitate a new economy linked to the silver economy. 

Objectives:  

• Enhance the contribution of older people and social organizations in the process of territorial development. 
• Create friendly and inclusive environments for all people throughout their life cycle and regardless of their circumstances. 
• Establish a governance model that incorporates the perspective of population ageing into local policy planning.  
• Generate and propose strategies, alliances and intervention policies in favour of active ageing. 

Actions:  

• Awareness campaigns, conferences. 
• Elaboration of an Intervention Framework with the elderly   
• Computer management tool, which measures the friendliness of each community.  
• Website: https://www.espacioseniorextremadura.es/ 
• Local Action Plans in each of the municipalities. 

Presentation of the project 

It is a LEADER regional cooperation project that unites 6 LAGs: ADERCO, ARJABOR, LA SERENA, LA SIBERIA, TAGUS and ADESVAL (coordinator). A total of 105 municipalities in six rural territories with a population over 65 years of age of more than 20%. Three counties of Cáceres and another three of Badajoz, all with the common problem of ageing and population loss.  It was developed between October 2021 and December 2022, with a view to continuity in the next 2023 – 2027 Strategy. 

The location and data regarding Extremadura are:  

The analysis of the economic and demographic situation of the six territories and the current context makes it possible to act: the new model of attention and care that the Junta de Extremadura is promoting is largely based on local services in rural areas. This new model, together with the transition in the care model at the national level and also in the European Union, makes us propose the project as a proposal to bring the elderly closer, not only in the object of the services, but also in the subject of what they must propose through their participation.  

The project works from several perspectives:  

• The World Health Organization’s (WHO) idea of active ageing. 
• Governance understood as the balance of all public agents and civil society in the construction of age-friendly communities. 
• The creation of local services in rural areas that allow the elderly to decide where they want to live. 
• The creation of employment in rural areas, mainly through the creation of new local services in rural areas. 

All of the above elements should constitute a powerful antidote to rural depopulation.  

The LEADER EDLP 2014-2020 programme offers the framework and funding to be able to do so, although it has not been possible to do so at national level, it has allowed the initiative to be known and has been disseminated in several forums and conferences: RRN 16 June 2021, participation in RURALISONS L’EUROPE! UNIS DANS LA RURALITÉ, 16 MARS 2022, participation in the I Extremadura Demographic Challenge Forum or in the selection of good practices for national projects, among others.  

With the results of the project, in the Alagón Valley in particular, there is already a line of work on social entrepreneurship linked to proximity services. Especially aimed at qualified women and young people, who are being excluded from our precarious labour market and in which they are only represented as employees, very scarcely as entrepreneurs with the collaboration of municipalities, SEXPE and LEADER EDLP. 

The project proposes a change of outlook towards the senior world and makes them aware of the fact that they are still active people in their community, and not only as care seekers, but also as consumers of services.   

It generates capacity to combat the demographic challenge and promotes strategic development for the territory of action for the following reasons: 

– A methodology based on raising awareness among all the actors involved in it, giving an active presence to the elderly (social innovation).  

– Public (city councils) and private collaboration represents a line of work of production of alliances and business dynamism from the commitment to the definition of new modalities of services and job creation (now refining towards collective entrepreneurship, social economy).  

– It also proposes the creation of products or services with an important innovative component, such as those linked to local services. 

– The municipalities and the territory will have a computer tool for registration and continuous improvement of the degree of friendliness with the elderly.   

The project can be replicated in regions with significant problems of ageing and unemployment of the population, as is the case in different territories of Extremadura and Spain. 

Actions to promote transferability have already been carried out: The project has been presented at regional and national meetings (NRN and ENRD) and in France. We have produced a LEADER Good Practice sheet for the NRN and the project has been included in the Social Innovation Manual. 

The territories of Extremadura can see the project replicated since they present similarities in their administrative and population structure: small municipalities, aging, depopulation, portfolio of services to dependency. 

However, the transfer of the project must always be carried out with the participation of the actors, of the local population, which is a hallmark of LEADER. 

Pictures 

https://www.espacioseniorextremadura.es/

Spain 

Introduction 

The objective of LEADER-NORDESTE Local Action Group hopes to the SINGULAR DESTINATION project is to create a unique tourist destination in the NORDESTE region. It is quality, sustainable, accessible and intelligent, which provides the visitor with a differentiating experience, based on the creation of a unique product that combines the diversity of the territory’s resources: history, culture, heritage, wine, thermalism, nature, certified quality, designations of origin, etc. 

There have been many actions carried out on the occasion of the Destination Singular project.  

We begin by customizing and designing an advertising campaign image and a website design www.destinosingular.es. Among other actions and within the advertising and promotion campaign, posters and advertising signage are installed. In addition, there is a call for an international contest of emerging ideas and heritage. Traveling exhibitions are held in the Northeast territory, in neighboring tourist destinations. Kits have been made to assist promotional fairs for different entities of differentiated quality or recreationalfestivals. A promotional video and audiovisual clip have also been made. 

Presentation of the project 

Destino Singular is the star project of the GAL during the 2014-2020 programming. It arises from the participatory process and at the proposal of different socio-economic sectors of the region. Our region known as NORTHEAST of the Region of Murcia integrates two territorial systems, the Altiplano composed of Jumilla and Yecla and the eastern municipalities of Abanilla and Fortuna. A territory with a strategic location that favors access to potential markets and a strategic potential in terms of the tourist and excursion offer to our territory. There is no sense of identity as a region, despite having multiple synergies that unite them and make us unique, for this reason DESTINO SINGULAR arises, as a link and creation of synergies or potentialities. 

Singular Destination has been a challenge in the region by uniting the potential resources of the municipalities of Abanilla, Fortuna, Jumilla and Yecla, and has also fostered new emerging potential through the creation of new works that attract tourism, through the International Contest of emerging ideas and heritage. The mural painting work on the staircase of the high place, “La Mirada de un pueblo” in Abanilla, the sculpture “Vestigios al Sol” on the Paseo de Los Baños, in Fortuna, the work in an old grain silo with the painting of the Monastrell grape variety titled “Raíces que miran al cielo” and the digital tool “Destínate” offers information and a tourist route through the municipality of Yecla. Own and priority project of the Northeast GAL of the Region of Murcia and to which LEADER funds have been allocated and co-financed by the CARM. A colorful image has been designed and created, where the large sectors that create a territorial identity are personalized. Based on this design, the municipalities and small population centers have been marked with various signs, including a route of a religious trail, “Lignum Crucis”.  

Promotional campaigns have been created with advertising mupis in the region’s capital. Stand to go to different fairs with the regional design. In addition to a traveling exhibition “Journey to a Singular Destination”, which with photographs of the region and an informative QR code invited tourists and passers-by from neighboring regions to come and visit us. We concentrated on a Fam Trip agents from the tourism sector who visited the breadth of tourist resources, ensuring that the region has ideal conditions to make different and varied tourist packages that attract new visitors and consolidate new market niches. All this accompanied with an important promotion on the website www.destinosingular.es, the commitment to promotional videos and clips have turned the Northeast into a Singular Destination. 

The objectives achieved have been to create a territorial identity, with joint planning of territorial development and rebalancing of the territory. Actions have been implemented that create territorial and economic synergies between the different municipalities. 

The DESTINO SINGULAR project is a project of the Local Action Group and has been financed by FEADER funds in 63% and co-financed in 37% by the Department of Agriculture of the Region of Murcia. 

Destino Singular is the most ambitious and innovative GAL project that has been carried out by the Association. It has undoubtedly contributed to creating synergies in the territory and creating unity as a brand or tourist destination. The entire project has been built with the help of local entities, cultural, festive, heritage, gastronomic associations, based on their needs and tourist projections, supporting them in their promotion of events, as well as showing their actions and particular characteristics to the bordering regions. The great advertising campaign through the regional newspaper “La Verdad”, the exhibition of “Journey to a Singular Destination”, the signage and identity as a Singular Destination, etc. and other actions developed with this project are leading to an increase in new visits to the different municipalities, as verified by their tourism offices. 

There are many resources and potential that the region has, as well as the concentration of agri-food products with differentiated quality is very relevant, building a strategic axis in agri-food and tourism terms, thus the Protected Designations of Origin of Wines from Jumilla and Yecla, Pera from Jumilla, Cheese from Murcia and Cheese with Murcia wine.  

This promotion of wine tourism is combined with the Wine Routes of both Jumilla and Yecla. All of this, together with the great heritage wealth, festive tourism, focused on Holy Week, Moors and Christians festivals of Abanilla, thermal tourism of Fortuna, the rich gastronomy turn the NORTH EAST into a Singular tourist destination, creating networks and new opportunities. 

The project has a unique identity, because it has been built according to the resources that our territory has. The idea could be transported to other GALs by building it to measure, from their potential and resources at their disposal. 

Pictures 

Promotional video: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLyoEenPY5M1qCBkw4lYRZewovV 

9w0EpBv  

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/- 

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