The delegate of the Regional Government, Blanca Fernández, has confirmed that the Government of Castilla-La Mancha will allocate 22.5 million euros to the rural development groups (GDR) in the province of Ciudad in the current period 2023-2027.
Even more relevant will be the multiplier effect that these European funds will have, as Blanca Fernández estimates “an investment that will exceed one hundred million” at the end of its application, and that “complement the enormous effort being made in this case by the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Rural Development through the CAP (Common Agricultural Policy and other funds to support these sectors)”.
The delegate of the Regional Government has argued that the capture of European funds “is part of the way we manage things here”, and to observe its scope, she has explained that at the regional level the rural development groups will have 94 million euros at their disposal to manage directly through the municipalities and the business fabric, turning them into “an investment that borders on 500 million in Castilla-La Mancha”.
“We are talking about a lot of money – stressed Blanca Fernández – that contributes to diversifying the economy, strengthening the population, and strengthening the economy that the villages need in order not to be dependent on one sector, but to be open to many sectors so that they become stronger every day and offer many more opportunities”.
The highest representative of the Castilla-La Mancha Government in Ciudad Real made these statements moments before participating in the town of Herencia in the reopening ceremony of the hermitage of the Christ of Mercy after a comprehensive reform process consisting of a series of actions both inside and outside to address the most common pathologies, such as those related to dampness, lack of support in the foundation of the walls, the state of the roofs and the aesthetic conditioning of the building with interventions in the painting and altarpieces.
It is worth noting that these rehabilitation works have cost a total of 134,000 euros, financed 80 percent by the Local Action Group Mancha Norte – which has more than two million euros to manage until 2027 – and the rest with own funds contributed by the parish and the Brotherhood of the Christ of Mercy through donations from companies and individuals.
In this sense, Blanca Fernández cited the intervention carried out in this holy space of 450 years old as an “example of collaboration” between the administrations and civil society that would otherwise be impossible to tackle in order to maintain the heritage and strengthen tourism in the town. She also emphasized the leadership and initiative carried out by the mayor, Sergio García-Navas, in prioritizing this project over others.
An investment that translates into results, as, as indicated by the provincial delegate of the Regional Government, “today we can say that in Herencia there has been a change and a movement of visitors, for example, with the magnificent cheese reference center you have, which has also been done with European funds, and has served as a catalyst”, but above all she highlighted the great “dynamism” in capturing European funds to make different projects a reality from public administrations.
Likewise, Blanca Fernández referred to the “strong entrepreneurial fabric” of Herencia and its initiative. “Despite being a municipality of 8,000 inhabitants, people know what it means to work, to strive, and to sacrifice themselves constantly.” To corroborate this, the Regional Government leader highlighted the more than 30 private initiative projects carried out in Herencia with approximately 1.2 million euros in aid from Leader funds in the last execution period and the short time we have had in the current one, “and that shows that this town is a leader in a region like La Mancha, which is a great economic engine.”
Finally, it should be noted that alongside Blanca Fernández, the Mayor of Herencia, Sergio García-Navas, attended this inauguration, accompanied by part of the local corporation; the vice president of the Local Action Group Mancha Norte, Almudena Moya; the president of the Brotherhood of the Christ of Mercy, Rosa García-Navas, the provincial delegate of Agriculture, Livestock, and Rural Development, Amparo Bremard; the parish priests, Alberto and Julián, and a representation of the civil, business, and religious society of the town.
Spanish post in Herencia apuesta por el desarrollo local con la reapertura de la ermita del Cristo
