Europe DIRECT Castilla y León Rural, in collaboration with the Junta de Castilla y León, organise a set of six workshops to discuss the problem of depopulation in the Autonomous Community in the context of the “Long-term vision for rural areas of the European Union” DIRIGITED TO: technicians and board members of Local Action Groups. Town halls. Entrepreneurs and local actors and the rural population interested in the topic DATE 25/11/2021 ACT TYPE: Online, it will be developed via Zoom. The link will be sent once the subscription has been completed. INSCRIPTIONS: Registrations on the website of EUROPE DIRECT Castilla y León Rural http://www.edcastillayleonrural.eu MORE INFORMATION More information on the website of EUROPE DIRECT CASTILLA Y LEÓN RURAL http://www.edcastillayleonrural.eu/debates-nuestra-vision-a-largo-plazo-para-las-zonas-rurales-la-despoblacion-en-castilla-y-leon/ We expect a participation of around 15 people. Programme In order to involve the attendees, which feeds conclusions to serve as input to the Conference on the Future of Europe, we have scheduled a presentation on depopulation, followed by a positive experience of new settlers to which the debate among the attendees will follow. 1.- Depopulation in Castilla y León, by Victor Jolín Garijo, Director of EUROPE DIRECT Castilla y León Rural 2.- Positive experience of New Pobladores. 3.- Discussion between participants 4.- CONTEXT Conclusions The European Commission presented on 30 June a long-term vision for rural areas in the EU, which identifies the challenges and problems they face and highlights some of the most promising opportunities available to these regions. Based on forecasts and extensive consultations with citizens and other stakeholders in rural areas, the vision presented today proposes a Rural Pact and a Rural Action Plan, with the aim of making our rural areas stronger, resilient and prosperous, and connected: • stronger: priority will be given to empowering rural communities, improving their access to services and facilitating social innovation; • connected: connectivity will be improved in terms of both transport and digital access; • resilient: natural resources will be preserved and agricultural activities greened to combat climate change, including social resilience, by offering training courses and various quality employment opportunities; • prosperous: economic activities will be diversified and the added value of agriculture, agri-food activities and agrotourism will be improved.