APD VALLES PASIEGOS

The Local Action Group “Asociación para la Promoción y Desarrollo de los Valles Pasiegos” (from this moment on APD Valles Pasiegos) is a non-profit company representing 15 rural municipalities and 36 civil society organizations in central east Cantabria (Spain). Created in 1997, is currently managing its second Leader Programme focusing on the socioeconomic development of the Valles Pasiegos area. The association encourages and cooperates with local people, enterprises, communities, organizations and authorities… and during these years of existence it has organized workshops, conferences, exhibitions, training courses, as well as it has developed various projects to boost the local economy, to strengthen the business network, to encourage cooperation and strategic partnerships, to enhance local heritage… With an extensive knowledge and experience in all aspects of projects management since 1997, we are currently in the process of defining strategies and future projects to address the main challenges rural environments are facing, such as: rural exodus, climate change digitalization and more diversified economic activities, sustainable and equitable approaches to heritage protection and promotion... Since 2017 an European Info Point (PIE Valles Pasiegos) is run to promote a more active European citizenship among its inhabitants. From the very beginning, the PIE Valles Pasiegos identified children and young people as target groups, as well their families and schools as key partners. Trough seminars and workshops organized on a regular basis, they discover not only the origins, differences and resemblances within the EU, but also opportunities such as European youth exchanges, training courses, volunteering projects… Although its main target group is the local population of the area (around 30.725 inhabitants), as well as any person or organization interested in the promotion of Valles Pasiegos, the LAG is eager to commit with the youngster people in order to design projects that responds to their needs and concerns.