THE ‘NOSOTRAS VALENCIA’ ASSOCIATION PROMOTES ENTREPRENEURSHIP IN RURAL AREAS

The Valencian collective has ended the first day of the Ementi Programme, which promotes the empowerment of women in all areas, with the support of the Regional Ministry of Innovation, Industry, Trade and Tourism. Various town councils have expressed their interest in expanding this initiative to their municipalities, with the aim of consolidating young companies and creating a network of businesses. Participants and authorities during the closing ceremony of the EMENTI Programme.

Valencia, 28 October 2024. Under the warm autumn light of the Botanical Garden of Valencia, an event full of commitment has taken place: the closing ceremony of the EMENTI programme, a project that has given a voice to women entrepreneurs in rural areas of the Valencian Community. ‘Estampa’ is a programme promoted by the Nosotras Valencia Association, in collaboration with the Regional Ministry of Innovation, Industry, Trade and Tourism, which seeks to revitalise the economic fabric in rural areas, promoting initiatives in favour of entrepreneurship and the consolidation of local businesses.

The event was attended by Esther Olivas Cáceres, Director General for Innovation and Internationalisation, who opened the event with a moving speech, in which she highlighted the importance of “promoting entrepreneurship in rural areas” and “supporting companies in their growth and consolidation, especially in municipalities at risk of depopulation”. During her speech, Olivas was accompanied by Saskia Tenhaeff Lackschewitz, Deputy Director General of Entrepreneurship, as well as part of her technical team, reaffirming the strong commitment of the Regional Ministry to initiatives that promote economic diversity and territorial roots.

The EMENTI programme has had a considerable impact, reaching more than 197 people from the regions of La Serranía, the Ayora-Cofrentes Valley and the Canal de Navarrés. From this group, 18 projects were selected which, after receiving specialised mentoring, were proudly presented during the closing event. These entrepreneurs shared their proposals with the public, reflecting the talent and creativity that nurtures the future of rural entrepreneurship in the Valencian Community.

As part of the event, three round table discussions were organised on key issues: young women entrepreneurs in rural areas, the role of support organisations for rural entrepreneurship and the financial measures needed to support these initiatives. Various organisations, such as the Spanish Federation of Municipalities and Provinces, the Valencian Federation of Worker Cooperative Enterprises and the Association for Sustainable Rural Development wanted to contribute their experience and points of view, together with the mayors of Chelva and Aras de los Olmos, who underlined the importance of cooperation between local governments and programmes such as EMENTI to respond to the needs of each territory.

The closing ceremony also brought together representatives of the town councils of Benagéber, Calles, Chulilla, Dos Aguas, Loriguilla and Utiel, all of them interested in expanding the EMENTI programme to their municipalities. These councils shared their commitment to promoting entrepreneurship and business consolidation in their communities, highlighting the importance of initiatives that promote local development.

True to its mission of social cohesion, the Nosotras Association organises spaces for dialogue, such as those that took place after the event, with discussions among the attendees and a tasting of products from the participating entrepreneurs. Among the highlights were the Terra D’Art winery in Chelva, the Pepe Ginia oil mill in Navarrés, the brewery in Zarra and the Mar Negre chocolate workshop. These companies have offered a little piece of their craftsmanship and tradition, which have become symbols of the cultural richness and potential of these municipalities.

With this event, the EMENTI programme closes a period that has been a real effort by all and collaboration too, leaving an open door towards the continuity and expansion of a project that is committed to entrepreneurship as an engine of cohesion and development in rural areas.