• The National Rural Network selects the best ideas from the third and fourth editions of the "Rural Entrepreneurship Course"
• These finalists join the 10 selected in previous editions.

The fourth installment of the Rural Entrepreneurship Course concludes a training program that began in May 2020, amid the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown, and which aimed to strengthen the capabilities of anyone interested in starting a sustainable business or activity in rural areas.

The 48 students in each edition have had the opportunity to work with relevant professionals who have helped them structure ideas, delve deeper into the development of their business plan and work on their personal brand .

Special mentions

In the final days of the course, all students' projects were presented and discussed. Following an evaluation process conducted by the course professionals and instructors, the following projects were selected as outstanding projects for the fourth edition :

The Knife of the Sauce - Carlos Mantilla

Its goal is to offer accommodation , combined with activities and workshops, to provide a complete immersion experience in nature, with sustainability and environmental protection as its main pillars. Its added value is a large estate (350 hectares) with a native forest of great environmental value in Ávila.

Physiotherapy - Luis Moreno

Physiotherapy clinic in Villalpardo (Castilla-La Mancha) that aims to help people from all over the world acquire knowledge about their pathology and its management through online sessions. The goal is to go beyond passive therapy and offer long-term tools.

Melodijopérez Communication – Marta Pérez

It is the first rural communications agency in Asturias. It was created to support small businesses, administrations, and professional associations in the digital transition. Its philosophy is "enlightened ruralism": everything for the people, from the people.

Priorat BioHub - Miguel Ángel García

This entrepreneur aims to consolidate a hub for organic food companies that share services and generate synergies by taking advantage of disused poultry farms in the Priorat region (La Torre de Fontaubella). The project includes the development of products based on the local hazelnut, reviving a product that is in danger of being abandoned.

Tera viva – Montse

Montse hopes to promote the use of aromatic and medicinal plants by creating infusions and food seasonings in Zamora. The organization of activities and workshops focused on aromatic plants also adds a tourism and educational value to this project.

Helyc - Oscar Checa

This entrepreneur plans to create a farm in Cuenca to produce essential oils, which would make him one of the first entrepreneurs to use this agricultural variety in Spain, as it is currently imported from other countries. The cultivation would be organic, sustainable, and respectful of the original natural habitat, as it is designed to use a native variety, not a clone.

Third edition

In the penultimate edition of the course, the following projects achieved excellence :

Baivén – Alba Saénz

A space for artistic training and creation, where dance is a space for everyone, regardless of their situation, body, or mind. This project has already been implemented in Madrid and Córdoba, and is now expanding to the rural world.

The True Stories of Anizeta Pizpireta - Tania Martínez

This project is based on cultural activities, stories, games, and workshops focused on respect for nature. Tania shares stories from oral tradition, engaging children in reflection. She currently travels from fair to fair and from town to town throughout Spain.

Space for rural revitalization through art and culture - Beatriz Larepa

The project involves the creation of a non-formal education space in a rural setting, where workshops on art, culture, and the recovery of traditions will be held. The objectives are to revive popular culture and its crafts, while promoting environmental sustainability.

Apimara - Maria del Rio

It is a project Shared Ownership in Burgos that keeps 500 hives alive to obtain bee-derived products: honey, wax, propolis and swarms to sell.

The Ribereta - Miroslaw Andrzej

Expansion of a tourist property in Lleida with several rural houses where people can enjoy activities such as the bread oven, vinegar factory, vineyard, tile kiln, and forest workshops.

The Cantalar - Paz Garrido

This entrepreneur currently runs a hostel in the Sierra de Cazorla (Jaén) where environmental education activities are offered. They plan to restore an old forest nursery by converting it into a herb garden for personal consumption.