26 de July de 2022
The National Rural Network is the entity designated to select the candidates of all those Spanish projects that have decided to submit their applications to the fourth edition of the "Rural Inspiration Awards 2022" (RIA 2022), organized by the European Network for Rural Development (ENRD).
- The 4th edition of the "Rural Inspiration Awards 2022" - organized by the European Network for Rural Development - announces the projects that have received support from the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) for the period 2014-2022.
- Participants compete for the award in 4 thematic categories, plus a fifth by popular vote
The National Rural Network is the entity designated to select the candidates of all those Spanish projects that have decided to submit their applications to the fourth edition of the "Rural Inspiration Awards 2022" ( Rural Inspiration Awards / RIA 2022 ) organized by the European Network for Rural Development (ENRD ).
This year's theme—in line with the European Year of Youth — is "The future is youth . " Under this premise, Member States are encouraged to submit EAFRD rural development projects in four thematic categories. In addition, shortlisted projects involving young people under 40 will be selected for a popular vote , which will award a project involving young people from rural areas through a virtual public vote.
Spanish national teams
The national projects selected to compete in Europe, according to the 4 thematic categories, are:
- Green Futures ( sustainability projects for the environment)
a.ECOCIRPLAS 2020. NEW AGRICULTURAL PLASTIC MANAGEMENT PROCESS (Navarra)
The objective of this project is to develop an innovative process that provides a solution for the disposal of plastic used in agricultural products. To achieve this, the project aims to optimize the plastic waste recycling chain , starting with implementation and field collection, as well as design a certification protocol for the traceability of manufactured products from the start of plastic sales.
b. OVINNOVA (Andalusia, Extremadura and Castile and León)
An innovative working group comprised of various organizations seeking to define the foundations for improving the competitiveness of transhumant pastoralism , creating a new business model for providing livestock services that contributes to preserving the biodiversity of rural areas.
- Digital futures (including innovation and new technologies)
to. "Living Museums" (Castile and León and Galicia)
Network of 70 museums closed due to the economic crisis and located in small rural areas in Spain and the Czech Republic. Thanks to a " SMART " system, they have been reopened to the public, showcasing the ethnographic richness of the 19 territories of the Local Action Groups participating in this LEADER cooperation project.
b. “SUPERMAKERS. LEARNING TO BE AN ENTREPRENEUR” (Castilla y León and Navarra)
A "Maker Lab" is a workspace established in a rural location where young people from the villages will be able to invent new resources and elements that improve life in their communities through technological solutions such as virtual reality, 3D printing, or robotics. To this end, a virtual network for the exchange of ideas and solutions between the different MAKERLABs will be created through a web platform.
3. Resilient Futures (for projects that contribute to strengthening the economic resilience of rural areas)
a. EQUALITY TERRITORY (Murcia)
A project led by the LEADER NORDESTE Local Action Group encompasses three objectives: women as protagonists of rural development / work-life balance in rural areas / gender equality in rural areas. The goal is to implement a series of actions that give visibility to rural women and make them active participants in the development of rural areas in Murcia.
b. VICTOR COMPAN (Andalusia)
A local farm in Almería, run by young people of a third generation, dedicated to raising free-range chickens using agroecological practices and directly marketing their own products.
4. Innovative and socially inclusive futures (for innovative and inclusive projects with the entire rural community)
a. YOUNG HOUSE (Andalusia)
The Youth House is a project of the Universal Social Foundation (Montilla, Córdoba) that offers free facilities and equipment primarily aimed at young people up to the age of 25. The goal is to create a meeting place where they can have fun, develop their initiatives, and also participate in the activities, resources, and services offered.
b. LA JAIRA DE ANA (Canary Islands)
La Jaira de Ana is a family farm school (Agüimes, Las Palmas) whose main objective is to offer a space in a rural setting that highlights the importance of the primary sector to Canarian culture and society through participatory experiences and environmental workshops. It also showcases local products through tastings, sampling, and product sales.
Of these 8 nominations, 6 are vying for the popular vote award, dedicated to initiatives involving young people from rural areas.
2021 Edition
At the third edition of the Rural Inspiration Awards (RIA) 2021, Spain was honored thanks to the "Local-Scale Circular Bioeconomy Pilot Project" by Josenea and the Public University of Navarra. The project was recognized in the " Resilient Future" category for its contribution to strengthening the resilience of rural areas.