The fight against depopulation in Castilla-La Mancha
Depopulation and rural areas are one of the great challenges for Spain in the 21st century, as they are for any other country in the European Union. This is so because, at present, the number of European people living in urban areas exceeds two thirds of the population. In our country, specifically, in the last 20 years there has been a 60% increase in municipalities with less than 101 inhabitants.
There are several reasons why the population decides to leave rural areas, among them we find the lack of good communications, the notable emigration, the lack of job opportunities, mortality and, above all, the aging of the population. Although they are not the only causes.
The European Union takes action
For these reasons, the European Commission has gotten down to work and has undertaken several initiatives to fight against the gradual abandonment of rural areas towards cities. The European Network for Rural Development (ENRD) stands out, which is a platform that promotes rural development. In addition, we have the new European campaign "My Town, My Future", present in Spain since October.
Likewise, the rural development policy has implemented three basic and primary objectives:
These objectives are intended to boost the growth of rural areas, the development of new employment and the attraction of the good standard of living that these entail.
We must bear in mind that most rural areas show up as the most deprived regions of the European Union with GDP per capita considerably below the European average, according to EUROSTAT, the European Statistical Office.
The situation in Castilla-La Mancha
As an example, we will talk about the specific case that our community, Castilla-La Mancha, is going through. Today, almost 90% of the municipalities suffer from a shortage of inhabitants. Faced with this, the regional executive approved a law against depopulation.
The Law on Economic, Social and Tax Measures against Depopulation and for Rural Development in Castilla-La Mancha introduces a novelty: that of paying less taxes in areas with sparse population. In particular, this Law refers to a 25% deduction from personal income tax for effective stays in rural areas with few inhabitants and a 15% deduction in the acquisition or rehabilitation of housing. Another of the advantages promoted by this law is the reduction of up to 50% in the Property Transfer Tax and Documented Legal Acts for the establishment of a company. Likewise, the law includes 40% more aid to the self-employed or companies that decide to settle in the most depopulated areas of the community.
The law will allow schools in rural areas to open their doors with only four students enrolled and the financing of higher education for young people who have their families in said localities. Access to 5G coverage and fiber optics is promised in all the municipalities of Castilla-La Mancha with the approval of the Internal Talent Return Plan.
In the field of health, it undertakes that there will be health facilities just 30 minutes away and the necessary pharmaceutical assistance. The law also includes support for those over 70 years of age, including telecare and home help. Among many other measures.
How the European Union supports Tomelloso
Thanks to the EDUSI (Sustainable and Integrative Urban Development Strategy), we can appreciate how Tomelloso has grown towards a new prototype of a more modern city, developed and aware of climate change. EDUSI in our city has four key priorities:
- The technological modernization of public space. It involves a work area focused on improving public services through electronic administration and Information and Communication (ICT) s;
- Sustainable rehabilitation of the city's urban core. This line is committed to the recovery of the central nucleus so that urban functions can be fulfilled and, in this way, guarantee spaces of social cohesion while preserving the historical heritage and attracting the interest of new visitors. Two very important urban projects are being carried out for Tomelloso: the rehabilitation of the Plaza de España and the Mercado de Abastos. Specifically, the rehabilitation of the Plaza de España aims to give life to the urban center that, little by little, was being abandoned. The new infrastructure is intended to attract the attention of both commerce and leisure. The total budget has been 1,300,000 euros.
- Rehabilitation of the local economic fabric and training for employability. Hand in hand with the reforms of the center go the different interventions, which fight to encourage the commercial and business economic sector through SMEs, such as: the rehabilitation plan for SMEs and commerce and the Professional training plan for employment and entrepreneurship.
- Low carbon economy. At EDUSI Tomelloso with the Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan and Actions (PMUS) and the Energy Efficiency Plan and Actions in Public Buildings.
Likewise, Tomelloso will enjoy free Wi-Fi in the Plaza de Spain, the Constitución and Urbano Martínez parks and in the area of the municipal swimming pool within the Ciudad Deportiva of the town. This has been possible thanks to the "WiFi4EU" project, approved by the European Parliament from which 224 municipalities in Spain have benefited, including our municipality. As a result of this project, our neighbors will have state-of-the-art access to new technologies and electronic administration.
It should also be noted that on December 10, 2021, Tomelloso hosted the first conference in Castilla-La Mancha in which the Plan for the New PAC 2023-2027 was proposed, organized by Cooperativas Agroalimentarias CLM. The purpose is none other than to transmit and show the new aid: the regionalization system, capping, the new definition of active farmer, eco-schemes, market regulation and the new PDR aid to industries and farmers. The new CAP will also have environmental purposes such as the insertion of greening among many other measures that will enjoy compensatory payments for those who include environmental practices in their crops.
In addition, the IES Francisco García Pavón will welcome twelve professors from different countries of the European Union to participate in training courses. The purpose is that teachers of different EU nationalities learn alternative teaching methods that they can use in their countries of origin with their students. Another of the goals that this project intends to achieve is that visiting teachers learn about the culture and traditions of Tomelloso.
This educational center and the IES Eladio Cabañero (as a mentor school) are part of the European Parliament Ambassador Schools Project, where students and teachers carry out commendable work to bring the role of the EU closer to the daily life of students7.
Finally, highlight the support of the European Union towards the educational sector of Tomelloso with the construction of centers such as the “Embajadores” Early Childhood and Primary School.
