Initiative Description

The Sustainable Rural Agenda of the Provincial Council of Segovia is a pioneering project that seeks to transform the challenges of the rural environment into future opportunities and development for Segovian municipalities. Its objective is to adapt the guidelines of the UN and its 2030 Agenda, the European Union, and the Spanish Urban Agenda to the rural reality of the province.

This strategic document establishes the main lines of action for the coming years in sustainability, digitalization, and territorial transformation, ensuring a dynamic and flexible approach that allows for its updating based on the evolution of policies promoted by different administrations.

The Action Plan of the Sustainable Rural Agenda covers the entire province, excluding the capital, with the purpose of boosting economic reactivation and the transformation of the rural environment, through initiatives adapted to the characteristics and needs of the Segovian territory.

Execution Period

The first version of the project was publicly presented in June 2021, and has since served as a guide for the main policies and funding opportunities within the framework of the Recovery, Transformation, and Resilience Plan.

The first review of the Sustainable Rural Agenda of Segovia Province contains a diagnostic identification of the main challenges posed by policies, plans, actions, and programs, with an impact on the territorial model; an evaluation of the execution of the Action Plan approved in 2022; and a revised Action Plan.

Methodology

The Sustainable Rural Agenda of Segovia Province has been developed through a participatory and dynamic process, involving mayors, socioeconomic agents, and the Provincial Council of Segovia. After its presentation in June 2021, the 1st Forum of Rural Agendas was organized in Pedraza in August 2022, to discuss its challenges and opportunities. Since then, work has been done on its implementation and dissemination, with participation in urban forums in Seville and Granada, achieving the execution of more than 80% of the planned actions, with a positive impact on the development of the province.

In the first half of 2024, the first review of the Sustainable Rural Agenda of Segovia Province was approved, which evaluated the execution of the Action Plan approved in 2022, and proposes an updated Action Plan. As part of this process, in April 2024, the second forum of the Sustainable Rural Agenda was held, where the results of this update were presented, in a key event for mayors and socioeconomic agents, who actively participated in its development.

Resources

For the development of the Sustainable Rural Agenda of Segovia Province, specialized staff from the Provincial Council participated, both in the technical and political fields, especially in the preparation of the diagnosis. In addition, various socioeconomic agents from the province collaborated, contributing their knowledge and experience in the territory.

Likewise, a specialized consulting service was contracted for the preparation and drafting of the action plan. Regarding economic resources, the funding obtained through the call from the Ministry of Transport, Mobility and Urban Agenda for pilot projects of the Spanish Urban Agenda (Order TMA/957/2021 of September 7), with aid of 250,000 euros, stands out.

Stakeholder Involvement and Alliance Building

The Sustainable Rural Agenda of Segovia Province has involved stakeholders and alliances. Deputies, socioeconomic agents from the province, Local Action Groups, and the university community have participated.

In addition, working groups have been created with political and technical profiles from different areas of the Provincial Council, and the diagnosis has been reviewed and validated by various territorial actors. This collaboration has allowed the agenda to be a consensual document and a reference for other local entities in their strategic planning.

Coordination

The coordination of the Sustainable Rural Agenda of Segovia Province has been carried out through the creation of working groups that have involved technical and political staff from the Provincial Council, as well as socioeconomic agents, Local Action Groups, and the university community. These actors have participated in the review and validation of the diagnosis, ensuring a transversal and consensual approach. It has also involved citizens, who, gathered in their municipalities and through dynamics, have had the opportunity to discuss and share their impressions on the diagnosis and the proposed action plan.

In addition, institutional coordination has been promoted through the dissemination of good practices and participation in national forums and specialized events, aligning the agenda with other rural development strategies and available funding frameworks.

INNOVATION What are the most innovative aspects of the initiative?

The most innovative aspects of the Sustainable Rural Agenda of Segovia Province include its pioneering approach, which adapts international guidelines to the rural reality of Segovia, and its participatory process, involving citizens, socioeconomic agents, and the university community.

Furthermore, it is a living document, subject to updates to adapt to new needs and funding opportunities. Its national dissemination and coordination, with participation in specialized forums, and its high degree of execution, with more than 80% of the actions from the first version already implemented, generating a real impact on the development of the territory, also stand out.

Replicability, scalability, and transferability: What elements should be considered for the replicability of the initiative in another Local Entity?

For the replicability of the Sustainable Rural Agenda of Segovia Province in another local entity, the following elements are key to consider:

1. Participatory approach: Involve local stakeholders (city councils, socioeconomic agents, universities, and citizens) in the preparation and validation of the diagnosis.
2. Adaptation to the territory: Adjust strategies to the particularities of the rural environment, ensuring that actions are viable and aligned with needs.
3. Flexible methodology: Design a living document, subject to updates and adjustments according to project progress and changes in policies or funding.
4. Funding and resources: Identify public aid calls, such as that from the Ministry of Transport, Mobility and Urban Agenda, and have technical staff.
5. Coordination and dissemination: Participate in national networks and forums to exchange good practices and ensure alignment with other development strategies.

Obstacles: What have been the main obstacles encountered in the different phases of the project?

The main obstacles in the execution of the proposed actions have been limited funding, the lack of provincial competencies for certain actions, and territorial inequality, with rural municipalities experiencing depopulation versus urban growth. In addition, the geographical dispersion of Segovia makes the equitable implementation of initiatives difficult.

Triple impact: To what extent has the triple impact been considered in the design and execution of the initiative?

The Sustainable Rural Agenda of Segovia Province has a positive triple impact:

Environmental: Promotes sustainable resource management, the circular economy, and the fight against climate change.

Economic: Favors the reactivation of the rural environment, employment, and the development of strategic sectors.

Social: Seeks territorial cohesion, equitable access to services, and the fight against depopulation.

Is it sustainable from an environmental, economic, and social point of view?

The Sustainable Rural Agenda of Segovia Province is sustainable in environmental, economic, and social terms. This pioneering project adapts the guidelines of the UN, the European Union, and the Spanish Urban Agenda to the needs of the rural environment of Segovia, promoting balanced development in the province.

Environmentally, the agenda promotes sustainable resource management and the circular economy.

Economically, it focuses on revitalizing the province, boosting entrepreneurship, and fostering employment to generate wealth and address the demographic challenge.

Socially, various participatory dynamics have been carried out to involve citizens in the development of the agenda, fostering social and territorial cohesion.

Results, Measurement, and Impact

The Sustainable Rural Agenda of Segovia Province has achieved a high degree of execution in its first version, with more than 80% of the planned actions completed, generating a positive impact on the development of the territory.

Results measurement has been based on an updated diagnosis, evaluating progress in sustainability, digitalization, and territorial transformation. In addition, monitoring sheets with specific indicators have been prepared, reflecting the current status of each action, its impact, and the financial resources used.

Links of interest:

Sustainable rural agenda of Segovia province