The GDR Subbética hosted a delegation of 14 representatives from Lithuania for a session organized at the request of the Association Amigos de Europa. The objective was to showcase the model of rural development, governance, and citizen participation implemented in the region.
During the meeting, the GDR Subbética team presented the functioning of the current Rural Development Program, detailing its main characteristics, design process, and the various lines of aid managed by the entity, including aid intensity, selection criteria, eligible project types, and daily support for local promoters.
The event also reviewed the 30-year trajectory of GDR Subbética and analyzed the impact of the rural development programs it manages on the territory. Particular attention was given to the role of citizens in designing Participatory Local Development Strategies and the coordination of public-private structures typical of Rural Development Groups.
The visit is part of the VOCO (Voice for Communities: Civic Engagement for Europe) project, coordinated by the Association Amigos de Europa and funded by the European CERV program. This initiative aims to strengthen citizen participation, community leadership, and democratic development at the local level by connecting communities, organizations, and local authorities with experiences from various European territories.
The delegation comprised presidents, vice-presidents, and coordinators from the national network of local and rural communities in Lithuania (LVBOS), who gained firsthand knowledge of the methodologies used in the Subbética for local governance, participation, and rural development.
Following the working session in Cabra, the delegation traveled to Zuheros to visit the facilities of Quesería de la Sierra Subbética S.L., a company that received support under previous community frameworks, demonstrating the impact of rural development strategies and managed aid on local business initiatives.
Participants toured the company's facilities and concluded the day with a guided tasting of cheeses from the Subbética Cordobesa, learning about the characteristics and qualities of locally produced products.
Through this visit, GDR Subbética continues to share experiences and best practices with other European territories, highlighting its work over the past three decades in citizen participation, public-private cooperation, and the promotion of initiatives contributing to the economic and social development of the region's municipalities.
