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Where a woman chooses to live should not determine the opportunities available to her. On the International Day of Rural Women, we recognize their essential role in the present and future of our rural communities and promote employment, training and services to support their development.

Increased life expectancy is one of the greatest achievements of our time. However, this progress also presents significant social, economic and organizational challenges that require innovative, sustainable and people-centered responses. These challenges are particularly pressing in rural areas.

Every April 29, the European Day of Solidarity and Cooperation between Generations reminds us that progress is achieved by connecting the talents of older and younger people to build a forward-looking society.

The Final Decision for the 2025 +Rural Grants Call for Proposals has now been published.

Europe is not built solely on political or economic agreements. It is shaped by all of us, day after day, through our values, solidarity, and support for those most in need. Celebrate Europe Day with us.

Each year, the European Day of Solidarity between Generations invites us to reflect on the need to bridge the gap between young and old. Within this context, rural areas are reaffirming their model of social cohesion and community life.

Fundación Cepaim aims to bring individualized social and employment guidance and integration services to rural areas located far from large cities. Almost 200 people have already benefited from its specialized training programs.

Action Against Hunger’s Rural Communities program promotes education and training in the agri-food sector, sustainable tourism, forest management, the cultural sector as a driving force for the rural environment, and services and social care.

The goal of this project that CESAL is implementing in several autonomous communities is to generate a promising environment that offers employment opportunities for the most vulnerable groups. An initiative through which the rural environment demonstrates its most integrative and hopeful side.

Case-by-case, door-to-door, the technicians working on the +RuralTEA project offer support to autistic people living in rural environments and who are particularly at risk of exclusion. The goal of this program is to improve the quality of life of both them and their families.

We are supporting the “People’s Europe” campaign, an initiative of the European Social Fund to give a voice to the people who receive its grants -beneficiaries, entities and intermediate bodies- and to show the impact that this organization has on the lives of so many people. In this video we introduce you to some of them.

Hard work pays off, and the Santa María la Real Foundation’s program is proof of this. With determination, training and support to find employment, many women in rural areas have joined the workforce. We are delighted to tell you about the achievements of this initiative that is transforming lives and communities.

Today, October 29, International Day of Care and Support, we want to focus on the people who dedicate their lives to caring for others in rural areas. Their invisible work underpins the lives of many communities. At Fundación MAPFRE, we would like to add our voice to this well-deserved recognition.

Since 2008, the UN has chosen 15 October as the day to recognize and empower rural women around the world. Fundación MAPFRE, in our commitment as an ESF+ Intermediary, invites you to join us in this celebration.

Entrepreneurship, youth and inclusion were the main topics addressed in the debate on the rural future of the region.

Europe Day is celebrated on May 9, a very special date on which to share the achievements in terms of peace, security, development and welfare of its inhabitants. Committed to these values, at Fundación MAPFRE we celebrate this day and strive to ensure that no one is left behind, ensuring that resources reach those who need them most. In these videos we tell you how.

If you would like to apply for one of the grants from Fundación MAPFRE’s 1st +Rural Call within the framework of the ESF+, to develop a social initiative in rural or “empty” Spain, we can help you with the process. We invite you to participate in the session to clarify any doubts, which will be held on Thursday 13 July.