Europe overlooks rural development in the latest planning phase, according to Martínez Lizán
The "Jóvenes con Raíces" project, a regional initiative in Castilla-La Mancha, Spain, is set to revitalize rural life by fostering youth engagement and combating rural depopulation. Coordinated by 17 Rural Development Groups and backed by the Regional Government through the LEADER program, the project has a budget of €806,000[1][2][3].
Over a period of summer 2025, the project will roll out a series of free, itinerant activities across 23 municipalities. These activities, designed by and for rural youth, aim to promote their participation, visibility, and connection to their local areas[1][2][3].
The main objective of "Jóvenes con Raíces" is to foster rural development by encouraging young people to identify with their hometowns, return after their studies, and invest their talent and energy locally[1][3]. The project offers a variety of cultural, educational, and recreational activities, including theatrical performances, gastronomy workshops, leadership seminars, creative writing sessions, sports activities, dialogue spaces, and concerts[1][2][3].
By creating engaging environments and meaningful experiences within their communities, the project seeks to empower young people as key actors for the sustainable future and vitality of rural Castilla-La Mancha[3]. It aims to counteract the lack of cultural, leisure, and learning opportunities in rural areas, which often drives youth migration to cities.
In addition to "Jóvenes con Raíces", seven other cooperation projects are being developed by the Rural Development Groups. These projects focus on various aspects such as gender violence awareness, sustainable development, water access, urban obstacles, cycling events, rural development, and carbon absorption capacity studies[1].
One such project is the 'Ponte en su lugar', an initiative to raise awareness against gender violence. Another is 'Enmarcando un futuro sostenible', which focuses on the Sustainable Development Goals. 'Nuestra tierra, nuestra agua' aims to facilitate access to tap water in rural hospitality, while 'Soluciones urbanísticas para el medio rural' is a study on the urban obstacles faced by promoters[1].
The 'Jóvenes con Raíces' project calendar foresees free activities in 23 municipalities during August and September[1]. The project aims to connect young people from different municipalities through culture, creativity, sport, entrepreneurship, social commitment, and healthy leisure[1].
The European Union's proposal for the next programming period has overlooked rural development and Leader programs[1]. Despite this, the "Jóvenes con Raíces" project continues to push forward, with the Association for the Promotion of the Development of the Campos de Hellín Comarca coordinating the project[1]. The project will be developed in three phases - comarcal, provincial, and regional - and will conclude with a grand final event in La Roda on 27 September[1].
[1] Source: Regional Government of Castilla-La Mancha website [2] Source: Rural Development Groups of Castilla-La Mancha website [3] Source: El Pais newspaper article on "Jóvenes con Raíces" project.
- The "Jóvenes con Raíces" project, with its focus on promoting rural youth and combating rural depopulation in Castilla-La Mancha, Spain, is a significant aspect of the regional policy-and-legislation related to rural development.
- The European Union's proposal for the next programming period appears to overlook rural development and Leader programs, despite initiatives like "Jóvenes con Raíces," which work towards fostering health and vitality in rural communities through general-news endeavors such as cultural, educational, and recreational activities.
