The 5th Culture and Ruralities Forum demonstrates the importance of networking in the rural world

• The forum organized by the Ministry of Culture and Sport focused on presenting the grants aimed at developing cultural projects in rural areas.
• The National Rural Network (RRN) participated in the debate "NETWORKS. Articulating and collaborating to grow."

"Culture must have a positive impact on all territories." This declaration by Miquel Iceta, Minister of Culture and Sport, inaugurated the 5th "Culture and Ruralities" Forum (Navia, Asturias, June 1-3), organized by the Ministry of Culture and Sport . This meeting is held annually to reflect the importance of cultural expressions and activities as a key element in the identity of peoples and rural areas.

This year, and under the title "Keys to a Cultural Ecosystem in the Territory" , the meeting focused primarily on presenting the "Aid Plan to Expand and Diversify Cultural Offerings in Non-Urban Areas" included in the Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan, which is endowed with 20 million euros to be implemented between 2022 and 2023.

The grant application period opened on January 1, 2022, and will run until November 30, 2023. During this period, each autonomous community will launch a grant application process within its territory. So far, only Galicia has launched a grant application process. The Ministry of Culture will monitor and evaluate the beneficiary projects.

The meeting specified that priority will be given to projects located in municipalities with fewer than 5,000 inhabitants.

The importance of networks in rural areas

Given the importance of rural areas at this meeting, the RRN was invited to participate in the discussion "NETWORKS. Articulating and collaborating to grow," alongside other partners such as "Creative Towns," "Red Itiner," and "My Town Reads."

The RRN explained the rural development efforts carried out in accordance with current European regulations (EAFRD) and the National Rural Development Programme (PNDR) and the 17 different regional RDPs (Rural Development Programmes). Thus, the RRN's work encompasses several aspects:

• As a platform for connecting and networking in rural areas
• As an information point on the opportunities that rural development policy offers to rural inhabitants
• For the identification and dissemination of inspiring projects in rural areas.

Culture and citizenship

The Ministry of Culture and Sport of the Government of Spain oversees the "Culture and Citizenship" program with the aim of promoting citizen participation in the field of culture, understanding culture as a regenerative, structuring, and energizing element of the region . Therefore, the program is structured around two lines:

1. The Culture and Citizenship Meeting (annual)
2. The Culture and Ruralities Forum (annual)

The "Culture and Ruralities" forum was created to highlight and promote cultural activities and experiences that have a social impact in rural areas. To this end, it hosts an annual meeting in a rural town in Spain over several days, bringing together national and European projects whose framework aligns with that year's specific theme.

The forum is a space for reflection, exchange, articulation of proposals, and creation of collaborative networks. Each year, it includes dialogues with artists and creators, analysis of proposals, workshops, artistic activities, and work spaces with local producers.