1. MAESTRAZGO: RURAL INNOVATION More than 15 years managing european founds PALERMO. 3ª CONFERENCIA INFOPAC. 22 Y 23 DE ABRIL 2008

2. PRESENTATION OF THE TERRITORY (I) Rural territory in the South of Aragon More than 100 km away from the capitals: Zaragoza, Valencia Administrative region: - 15 municipalities. - 1200 km2. - 2700 inhabitants. Territory of influence: -Maestrazgo Cultural Park -43 municipalities -Mark tied

3. PRESENTATION OF THE TERRITORY(II) Major weaknesses: - Low population density (3 inhabitants / km2). - Population ageing (30 % population is older than 65). - Lack of infraestructures. Low politics power. Key strengths: - Rich natural and cultural heritage. - Atractive tourist. Quality of life compared to the city. - Enterprising iniciative people. Eager to move forward.

4. CENTER FOR MAESTRAZGO DEVELOPMENT. LOCATED IN MOLINOS, LITTLE VILLAGE OF 300 INHABITANTS AREAS OF MANAGEMENT -LEADER European Community Initiative. -Europe Direct CAIRE. -Other Community initiatives: EQUAL, INTERREG, … -Maestrazgo Cultural Park. TECHNICAL TEAM IS ALWAYS LOOKING FOR THE INTERPRETATION OF ACTIONS BETWEEN THE DIFFERENTE AREAS. THERE ARE RESPONSIBLE OF THE AREA, BUT WORK IS IN COMMON. CENTER IS A HOBTED OF INNOVATION AND PROGRESS

5. LEADER COMMUNITY INITIATIVE THE INITIATIVE WAS BORN TO EXPERIMENT AND TO DEVELOP A NEW APPROACH FOR RURAL DEVELOPMENT PERIODS *LEADER I (1991-1994): Maestrazgo was pioneer in Aragón. Territory of 9 municipalities and 5400 inhabitants. *LEADER II (1995-1999): 43 municipalities (need to overcome 10000 inhabitants and adequacy of territory Cultural Park) and 14400 inhabitants. *LEADER+ (2000-2006): Comarcalización of Aragón (adaptation to Maestrazgo and Gudar-Javalambre administrative region). 39 municipalities, 11500 inhabitants. *LEADER-FEADER (2007-2013): It maintains the territory of LEADER+. It is being launched at present.

6. LEADER APPROACH APPLIED TO MAESTRAZGO The Territorial Approach The bottom-up Approach The local action group Inovation The comprehensive and multisectoral approach Methods of management and financing International cooperation and networking organization

7. FUNDED POINTS BY THE LEADER  Development Center; management and operation (local action group)  Economic and social formation of local agents  Promotion of the tourist activities and facilities  Smalll and medium enterprises endogenous resources  Valorisation, processing and marketing of agricultural products  Doing conservation actions in natural and cultural heritage  Ensuring basic services to the population  Global cooperation between territories LOCAL ACTION GROUPS MAY GIVE MORE IMPORTANCE TO SEVERAL ACTIONS, DEFINING THEIR DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIES, AND THEN THEY DECIDE WHERE THE MONEY HAS TO BE INVERTED, DEPENDING ON NEEDS

8. ECONOMIC RESULTS MAESTRAZGO (I) Jobs creation and consolidation Improvement of basic services for all the people, try to get to them all. Improve actions in order to conserve the heritage Improved infrastructure and rising housing accommodations Creation of a territorial trademark to market local products

9. ECONOMIC RESULTS MAESTRAZGO (II) LEADER I : 27 projects. Total investment (state + private): 4,2 million euros. LEADER II: 128 projects. Total investment (state + private): 23 millions euros LEADER +: 190 projects. Total investment (state + private): 19 millions euros LEADER-FEADER: New projects. Total stimated investment (state + private): 16 millions euros.

10. LEADER I (1991-1994) I Priorities: exploiting the endogenous resources and exploiting the trademark image. Objectives: increasing the per capita income and create new jobs. Results: 100 new jobs.

11. LEADER I (1991-1994) II CONCRETE HIGHLIGHTED ACTIONS Initial diagnosis: endogenous resources, labour demands, etc. Courses: impact in the tourism quality PLAN FUTURES: plan to improve the competitiveness of tourism Videotex networking: telejob network and central booking.

12. LEADER II (1995-1999) I Priorities: developing innovative activities by state entities and private entities Objectives: rural employment creation in tourism and foof products Results: 212 new jobs (45 new companies)

13. LEADER II (1995-1999) II ACCIONES CONCRETAS DESTACADAS Partnership consolidation; Maestrazgo trademark Development “Rural Innovation Program” Maestrazgo Cultural Park Maestrazgo interpretation centers network

14. LEADER + (2000-2006) I Priorities: coordination with the new administration and projects consolidation Objectives: cooperation and consolidation of programs about employment and business Resultados: 360 jobs (created and consolidated)

15. LEADER + (2000-2006) II CONCRETE HIGHLIGHTED ACTIONS Agenda 21 for Maestrazgo Area “Hud your land” Aragonese Center about Rural Europeen Information (CAIRE) European Geoparks Network

16. LEADER-FEADER (2007-2013) REQUIREMENTS Novelty: integration in the European Rural politics Less European financing but more region government participation. Increase prominence of agriculture and cattle breeding. Until now no-existent Priorities: working with the local administration and invest in tourism. Objectives: develop a good management to allow continuiy in the future.

17. OBSERVATIONS AND THOUGHTS ABOUT LEADER PROGRAM Maestrazgo area has recovered the hope to continue growing in the future. The management has to be meticulous and honest: they are public funds. The protagonists of the program should be the local agents, not technicians It is important to create a joint project with the public government. Be mistaking for learning; it is necessary to continue innovating.

18. Thank you for your attention José Manuel Salvador Técnico CAIRE Molinos (ARAGÓN) C/ Pueyo 33, Molinos (Teruel) carrefour@agujama.org 978 84 97 10 www.maestrazgo.org ______________________________________________