El pasado miércoles 25 de septiembre de 2024, celebramos un webinar muy especial como parte de La Gran Kedada Rural. Este evento reunió a cuatro grandes emprendedores rurales que forman parte del Mapa de Talento Rural de Rural Citizen. Fue una tarde llena de aprendizajes, conversaciones enriquecedoras y una gran dosis de inspiración.
Our speakers shared their stories, the challenges they face daily, and the impact they are having on their communities. Here are the highlights:
Entrepreneurs who participated:
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Ivan del Caz – Co-founder of Bikonsulting and director of Rural Citizen . Ivan spoke to us about how his project seeks an economic and political model centered on people and the planet, and how rural areas offer a unique opportunity to implement this approach. He emphasized the importance of collaborative networks to foster systemic change in the rural world.
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María Rodríguez , co-founder of Como una Cabra , shared her experience in triple bottom line entrepreneurship, where economic, social, and environmental success go hand in hand. María showed us how rural entrepreneurs are leading a paradigm shift in the way business is done, focusing on sustainability and local impact.
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Miguel Lucea , founder of Coliving Sojuela Joven , offered us his perspective on the importance of opportunities for young people in rural areas. After years living abroad, Miguel has returned to the countryside to implement European projects that promote youth learning and development, using coliving as a tool to attract young talent to rural areas.
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Noelia Romero , founder of Coliving Acougo de PitaSana , inspired us with her passion for revitalizing her region through art and nature. Noelia spoke about the power of coliving to generate collaborative projects that connect people with the environment and local culture, highlighting her annual PitaFaesta as an example of this connection.
Key topics covered
During the talk, several important issues were addressed that shaped the conversation:
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The Importance of the Rural Talent Map : All panelists agreed that being part of this map is key to making rural projects visible and generating collaborative networks. For them, belonging to this community allows them to connect with other entrepreneurs and find opportunities that would not otherwise have come their way.
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The motivation behind La Gran Kedada Rural : This event is a space where people with the same commitment to revitalizing rural areas come together. Everyone highlighted their enthusiasm for participating in La Gran Kedada Rural 2024 , an event that allows them to connect with other entrepreneurs and learn from their experiences.
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Positive impact on their communities : The panelists' projects not only aim to be economically viable, but are also committed to improving the environment in which they are developed. Ivan, Maria, Miguel, and Noelia highlighted how their projects are generating jobs, promoting sustainable tourism, and creating new opportunities for local youth.
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Current challenges : Although these entrepreneurs' projects are inspiring, they also face major challenges, such as lack of funding, depopulation, and difficulties in attracting and retaining talent in rural areas.
An open space for dialogue
The webinar was also a highly interactive space, where attendees could ask questions and share their own experiences. The speakers engaged in a friendly manner and offered practical advice for those also interested in starting a business in rural areas.
Final reflections
We concluded the event with a reflection on the future of rural areas. The panelists agreed that, although the challenges are significant, the potential of the rural world is enormous. In three to five years, they envision more connected rural communities, greater collaboration between projects, and a growing number of young people committed to sustainable development.
If you were unable to attend the webinar, we invite you to watch the recording on our YouTube channel so you don't miss the stories of these incredible rural entrepreneurs.
