The historic Ducal Palace of Cogolludo was adorned to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Association for Local Development of the Sierra Norte de Guadalajara (ADEL Sierra Norte). This non-profit organization has been key in the fight against depopulation and in promoting entrepreneurship in one of the most sparsely populated regions in Europe.
The celebration, held in the Rich Hall of the palace, was led by journalist Antonio Herráiz, who highlighted the importance of the work carried out by ADEL over these three decades. During the event, 17 entrepreneurs, both from the public and private sector, who have received support from ADEL to develop their initiatives in the region were honored. Additionally, two special recognitions were made to the Provincial Council of Guadalajara and the Regional Government, for their contribution to rural development and the fight against depopulation.
The event began with an emotional minute of silence in memory of the victims of the recent DANA. The mayor of Cogolludo, Juan Alfonso Fraguas, expressed his gratitude to ADEL for choosing his municipality to commemorate this significant date. Fraguas highlighted the essential work of ADEL, not only in Cogolludo, but in the entire region, by facilitating the implementation of projects that have revitalized the area.
Throughout its 30-year history, ADEL Sierra Norte has managed more than 25 million euros in funds, benefiting 1,175 projects and creating close to 1,000 stable jobs. María Jesús Merino, the current president of ADEL, thanked the various contributions that have made this collaboration possible, from entrepreneurs and local governments to ADEL staff, emphasizing the importance of financial assistance and the moral and technical support provided by the association.
A promising fact shared by Merino was the increase in population in the region during 2023, an achievement attributed in part to the ‘Anti-Depopulation Law’ of Castilla-La Mancha and the effort of ADEL to facilitate access to housing, a crucial challenge in the region.
In addition to individual recognitions, the event showcased a wide range of projects ranging from rural tourism to livestock, demonstrating the diversity and scope of local development promoted by ADEL.
The ceremony ended with words of encouragement from the Agriculture Minister, Julián Martínez Lizán, who highlighted the success of ADEL in the execution of projects essential for the social and economic fabric of the Sierra Norte. The event was enlivened with traditional music by the Dulzaineros de Sigüenza and the performance of the folk quintet La Orquesta Pinha, reflecting the rich cultural heritage of the region.
via: MiMub in Spanish
