Fundación Ciudad Rodrigo and the Diputación de Salamanca are co-leading a new social and digital innovation project aimed at addressing the demographic challenge and curbing depopulation in rural areas of the province. This initiative has been selected under the Rural Social Action call for proposals of the Fundación “la Caixa” for the 2025-2028 period. The project will run from 1 June 2025 to 30 May 2028, and will operate in 57 municipalities across the Comarca de Ciudad Rodrigo, the Partido Judicial de Ciudad Rodrigo and the Comarca de Vitigudino.
The project's funding is covered 75% by the Fundación “la Caixa”, with the remaining 25% provided by ADECODIR and ADEZOS. In addition, AFECIR, ADRISS, Cruz Roja Española, Fundación ASPRODES and the Ayuntamiento de Ciudad Rodrigo are taking part as collaborating entities.
The project is structured around two main actions. The first focuses on developing social and digital innovation initiatives to generate opportunities across the territory, foster citizen participation and improve quality of life in rural areas. The second action, linked to the Centro de Innovación Social of the province of Salamanca, “La Estrella”, involves setting up a rural laboratory for experimentation, training and the application of technological and social solutions that address the challenges of the rural environment. The initiative's overarching goals are to boost territorial resilience, promote active social inclusion, facilitate digital transformation processes and help keep the population rooted in the area through a sustainable, collaborative and innovative strategy.
At the official presentation event, held recently, those in attendance included the Castilla y León representatives of the Fundación “la Caixa”, Araceli Gutiérrez (on the right) and Rosana Cano (on the left), together with Julio Nager, innovation officer at the Diputación de Salamanca.
