June 16 and 17, 2016

The objective of this exchange was to present the proposed cooperation project "Boosting Capacity in Rural Areas" and develop a roadmap for its development.

The "Boosting Capacities in Rural Areas" project aims to create a key skills training system for adults at risk of social exclusion and with a low level of education (based on information and communication technologies and free software) that will enable them to acquire these qualifications and subsequently obtain professional accreditation, with the aim of enabling them to enter the labor market.

Two Portuguese local action groups and seven Spanish groups from different autonomous communities participated in these exchange sessions. They had already shown interest in the project at the sessions held in October 2015 in Navarra and during the 2015 LEADER event. Following these sessions, the host LAG, the Rural Development Group of the Vigo-Baixo Miño Intermunicipal Area (ADR MAIV – Baixo Miño), requested the National Rural Network (RRN) to hold this exchange in order to launch the project and exchange opinions and points of view with its potential partners.

These events also included visits to various projects funded in the region with EU funds, such as a visit to the Pazo de Valdomiño, dinner at Casa Henriqueta (Oia), and a visit to the Vontade center for people with disabilities.