Brussels, 22/08/2001 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday, the European Commission adopted "Leader +" rural development programmes for four autonomous Spanish regions for the period 2000/2006. In all, close to 216 million euro of public funds will be granted to the regions of Castile-Leon, Galicia, the Canary Islands and Rioja. These programmes, co-funded by the Structural Funds, aim to implement new ideas and to help build a more sustainable society, economy and environment for rural Spain (the use of skills and new technologies to render products more competitive, improving the quality of life in rural areas, adding value to local products and better use of natural and cultural resources).
The regions concerned are as follows:
- Castile-Leon: 100.5 million euro of public funds in all, 69 million of which from the Community budget, will benefit 17 local action groups selected in the region. The programme identifies three target groups: farms, farming families and small businesses.
- Galicia: in all, 81.8 million euro (54.5 million euro from the Structural Funds) will be allocated to the programme, notably to help job-creation, especially for women, the young and the disabled. 40 local action groups will benefit from the programme.
- Canary Islands: 7 local action groups were selected to take part in this initiative which will have Community assistance of 15.3 million euro, out of a total budget of 22.9 million euro. The target groups are identical to those of Castile-Leon.
- Rioja: the Commission has earmarked 5.6 million euro, out of a total of 11.2 million, to this programme which will be piloted by 3 local action groups.
