The initiative, under the slogan ‘From diagnosis to action’, seeks to be an opportunity to share experiences and generate alliances that will drive the future of rural towns. Félix Romero, delegate for Economic Development, Promotion, and Employment of the provincial institution, highlighted the importance of these associations as engines of development and generators of spaces for meeting, learning, and cooperation.
In its second edition, EnRural aims to promote new models of leadership and participation, with a special focus on the protagonism of women and young people. It will also facilitate the integration of digital tools and artificial intelligence in associative management and strengthen collaboration between administrations and business organizations.
Romero, who is also president of the Provincial Institute for Economic Development (Iprodeco), noted that this meeting is a first step towards creating an Andalusian network of rural business associations, an initiative originating from the GDR Medio Guadalquivir and the province of Córdoba. He recalled that Córdoba has nearly 47,000 companies and over 55,000 self-employed individuals, with most of them having a maximum of two employees.
For her part, Matilde Esteo, president of the GDR Medio Guadalquivir, emphasized that EnRural is a space for sharing experiences and needs from the rural world. This edition will address the strategic value of the rural business fabric and the progress made since the first meeting.
The program for November 18 includes keynote speeches on the strategic value of the rural business fabric, discussion panels on the progress and challenges of associations, and a session dedicated to female leadership and the use of artificial intelligence in business. In the afternoon, successful projects will be presented, and the establishment of an open and permanent network of rural business associations will be explored.
