Rural development programmes: Lessons learnt, and knowledge advancement. A case study in Castilla-La Mancha (Spain)

Abstract

Since the LEADER (Liaisons Entre Activités de Developpement de l'Economie Rural) method was launched in 1991, through its Rural Development Programmes, it has tried to support rural areas by promoting the creation of opportunities, strengthening rural territorial resilience and holding back depopulation processes. It has also introduced social considerations such as gender and age and has fostered the knowledge economy. One aspect of particular interest is employment: rural areas that offer employment opportunities can trigger a set of processes and dynamics that are positive for rural resilience in that they strengthen competitive, socially dynamic and economically viable spaces. The purpose of this article is to define the profile of a LEADER project that can generate and/or consolidate employment in the Spanish region of Castilla-La Mancha during the current 2014–2022 programming period. This is done by means of a study using ordered probit of the 4 465 projects by the Local Action Groups (LAGs). The study points to the preponderance of agro-industrial activity and the large size of the municipalities where employment is generated. It also finds that a very large proportion of the jobs created are for young people and that many women have found jobs in projects funded by the LAGs.