Pedro Blanco highlights in Entrimo the importance of the socio-economic dynamization of rural areas with sustainability as a transversal axis

The government delegate in Galicia, Pedro Blanco, stressed today in Entrimo the importance of the socio-economic dynamization of rural areas with sustainability as a transversal axis, “generating quality employment, fighting climate change and protecting biodiversity”. He did so during the presentation of the Forest Bioeconomy project ‘Mixturando. Development of new strategies for the valorisation of the mixed Atlantic forest in Asturias and Galicia’, promoted by the GDR A Limia Arnoia, Terra y Agua and Camín Real de la Mesa (Asturias), in collaboration with the University of Santiago de Compostela, and financed with 1.7 million euros by the Ministry for Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge.

Pedro Blanco thanked the mayor of the town, Ramón Alonso, for the organization of this day of presentation and detailed that projects such as ‘Mixturando’ are a “clear example that the funds of the Recovery Plan reach each of the municipalities and are able to cohesion the territories”. He explained that thanks to the collaboration between the different administrations (Government, Principality of Asturias, Diputación de Ourense and City Councils) and the support of research entities such as the University of Santiago, it is possible for “the rural to have life and be a reality of the future”.

The delegate took the opportunity to value and thank the work carried out by the GDR, organizations that —he said— “work to improve the quality of life and the development of the rural showing a great commitment to the future of these territories.”

He also stressed that initiatives such as these contribute to the creation of “green economy models in rural areas capable of adding value and wealth for all their citizens through their forests.” The initiative is carried out in the concellos of Lobeira, Entrimo, Muíños and Lobios in the region of Baixa Limia; in O Covelo in A Paradanta.

Other forest bioeconomy projects in Galicia

The government delegate reported that this project is included in the aid granted last February by the Ministry for the Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge, through the Biodiversity Foundation, which seeks to boost the bioeconomy linked to the forest and contribute to the ecological transition. These contributions leave in Galicia just over 7 million euros for 9 initiatives, in which around twenty entities of the community participate.

In total, the Ministry distributed 77 million euros in this aid, ranging from 100,000 to 2 million euros per project and financing up to 95% of the action. All these projects must be completed by 31 December 2025, including extensions. To this money are added those of the call for 2021, which amounted to 20 million euros and of which 1.4 fell on Galician entities.

The Galician projects selected in this edition are focused on the development of new strategies for the valorisation of the mixed Atlantic forest in protected areas of Galicia and Asturias.

This initiative, financed by the Recovery Plan, supports projects that promote the first and second processing timber industry through management, sustainable forest management and certification, the characterization of new products and prototypes, such as counter-laminated timber, optimization of the value chain, as well as the implementation and creation of local enterprises. Other forest products of high added value such as resin, bark, fruits, mushrooms, chestnuts or essential oils will also be promoted; studying their uses and also launching workshops or new products, from which marketing will be promoted, identifying new markets and creating quality seals.