• The Local Action Group (GAL) of the Subbética Cordobesa coordinates this national cooperation project
• The actions include a joint marketing plan and the creation of a catalogue of good practices.

Five Local Action Groups join forces to promote and support their geoparks.

The geological and geographical heritage of an area is always worthy of protection by the local population and its public and private administrations. In fact, the concept of "geoparks" was created to recognize and protect certain areas in Spain that are of special importance due to their remarkable spatial dimensions. Thanks to geoparks, these habitats can be expanded with tourism, economic, and development projects surrounding them.

Thus, the GAL of the Subbética Cordobesa coordinates a LEADER national cooperation project for the visibility and development of the geoparks in the six LEADER rural areas involved: the Local Action Group of Levante Almeriense and Almanzora —which operates in two LEADER zones— (Almeria), Aprodervi (Caceres), Montaña Palentina (Palencia) and Adeco-Camino (Burgos).

The project also involves developing a catalog of best practices in geoparks and creating a protocol for handling harassment during visits. All of this will culminate with a presentation of the results.

“Geotourism” and marketing

The marketing plan aims to provide "greater visibility through the use of new technologies," explains Carmen Pérez del Río, Program Officer of the Subbética Cordobesa GAL. The teamwork of the GALs allows the geoparks "to gain greater visibility," she says, "to expand your networks and make you known in more places."

It also enables the involvement of governing bodies and, above all, local residents. "We want a marketing strategy that reaches both the local and foreign populations."

The 'geotourism' product

“Geoparks and LEADER share the same perspective. The geopark is a combination of geological heritage and the local inhabitants and their economy,” he asserts. “An uninvolved citizenry would be an abandonment of the site.”

Therefore, the attention and information that visitors receive is essential, and they are proposing to promote what they call the “geotourism product.” Just as they talk about 'ecotourism,' they want tourists to learn about ' geotourism ,' to increase their knowledge and respect for national geoparks.

LEADER Financing

The project has a total budget of 260,542.46 euros , distributed as follows:

- Andalusia (90% of the EAFRD funds, 10% from the Andalusian Regional Government): €53,626.95 from the Subbética Cordobesa Regional Government (GDR), €72,888.69 for the Almanzora region, and the same amount for Levante Almeriense, both executed by the Levante Almeriense and Almanzora Development Group.

- Castile and León (80% from EAFRD funds, 14% from the Castile and León Regional Government, and 6% from the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Food (MAPA)): €22,485.37 for each of the GAL, Adeco-Camino, and Montaña Palentina.

- Extremadura (75% FEADER funds, 21.28% from the Regional Government of Extremadura and 3.72% from the MAPA): €16,115.71 for the execution of the project by Aprodervi.