Exchange of experiences of the REDERA+ project in Castilla La Manxa

The sixth of the joint learning events of the RedEra+ project “Revitalization and entrepreneurship for deprived European rural areas”, a project funded by the European Erasmus + programme, was held on the 30th of November, 1st  and 2nd of December. The event, organised by the Employment and Industrial Relations’ Office of Castilla La Mancha regional government ) Viceconsejería de empleo y relaciones laborales de la Junta de Comunidades de Castilla la Mancha, Spain), was the second one that could be held face-to-face. During these days, the project partners were able to learn from three experiences that are being developed in the provinces of Guadalajara and Cuenca, to know the Castilla-La Mancha’s strategy against depopulation and to visit the Provincial Council of Cuenca.

During the event we visited the following experiences:

  • Socio-labour Insertion ProjectThe organisation Accem has the Refugee Centre in Sigüenza (Guadalajara), where it is developing a regional social inclusion project, the aim of which is to promote the social and occupational integration of people in a situation of social vulnerability. The target population are people at risk of exclusion in a situation of unemployment and/or job insecurity in the area, who are usually referred from Social Services or come directly to them. 
  • Gustos de antes. This is an entrepreneurial project of two sisters who took over their parents’ churrería business and transformed it into a bakery/pastry shop/cafeteria. Little by little they have managed to grow the business and create jobs in the area of Sigüenza. 17 people currently make up the staff. It is an initiative with a strong connection to the territory and which generates employment among women and migrants.
  • The Noheda archaeological site. This is an archaeological site of an ancient Roman Villa with an important figurative mosaic located in the town of Noheda (Province of Cuenca). Through the recovery of this heritage, an employment and training project is being generated, which allows people to be trained, but also generates work directly related to the visits to the site. Finally, the visit of people is also leading to an important development of complementary activities such as accommodation and catering.

The next event will take place during the month of January and will be the responsibility of the OŠ Lovrenc na Pohorju (Slovenia).

More information about the project: