Huércal de Almería has become the venue for the celebration events on the occasion of Europe Day. The President of the Provincial Council, Javier A. García, and the Mayor of Huércal de Almería, Ismael Torres, closed the Conference ‘Debate and Participate in Building the Future of Europe’ with the presentation of the ‘Youth Entrepreneurship Award of the Europe Direct Almería Office’, as well as the solemn hoisting of the European Flag.
A total of 140 students participating in the school award “Young Andalusians building Europe 2022” (from Berja, El Ejido, Roquetas and Almeria) have participated in the day that started with the presentation of the Erasmus+/Education Programme and the services of the Office ‘Europe Direct de la Diputación de Almería’ aimed at young people in the province.
The young people have actively participated in an interesting debate on ‘Youth and Education in the EU’ by Lorena López Martínez, an educator specialised in emotional education. Prior to the closing ceremony, the President visited each of the working tables to exchange impressions on this day, the aim of which was to bring them closer to the opportunities offered by Europe.
Víctor Brandao, winner of the ‘Europe Direct – Diputación de Almería Entrepreneurship Award’, was one of the main protagonists of the day. His project ‘Houstudent’, to find accommodation next to universities, has earned him this recognition that comes with a digital kit consisting of a laptop.
The president of the Provincial Council highlighted the values that have articulated the growth and cohesion of its members: commitment, union, respect, justice, democracy, equality and solidarity. “Values that unite us and we feel particularly identified with, as they have forged our province. Huércal is a clear example, because it has grown and will continue to grow together with Europe. Since 1985, when Spain joined the EU, its population has increased by almost 400% to almost 18,000 inhabitants.
Furthermore, he assured that “Europe has always been an accomplice in the development of the province and of our main economic pillar: AGRO. This is demonstrated by the export figures of our agriculture, a world leader, which takes the health that is grown in the province to all corners of Europe and the world. Because Almeria grows with Europe and Europe grows with Almeria”.
Finally, he urged them to discover the opportunities offered by the EU: “If one day you decide to embark on the European adventure, you can count on the team of the European Information Office of the Provincial Council. I trust and hope that today is the beginning for many of you of an adventure that will help you to grow as people and professionals, contributing to the development of the province of Almería”, he added.
For his part, the Mayor thanked the Provincial Council of Almería “for having thought of Huércal de Almería, the municipality with the youngest average age in Andalusia, to celebrate this important event which is Europe Day with the participation of 150 young people from all over the province, who have been spending the morning in our Multipurpose Theatre, laying the foundations for a new Europe and discussing proposals for a European future that today is more necessary than ever to seek it, because we are going through difficult times at our borders and we have to find together the best way to manage it.
After the speeches by the authorities, one of the most eagerly awaited moments came: the hoisting of the European Union flag to the rhythm of the anthem played by five musicians from the EMMA orchestra.
The President of the Provincial Council visits three companies in Alhama de Almería that have benefited from European aid
This morning, coinciding with the celebration of Europe Day, the President of the Diputación de Almería, Javier A. García, accompanied by the Mayor of Alhama de Almería, Cristóbal Rodríguez, and the Deputy for European Initiatives, Carmen Navarro, visited the three companies in this town that have been part of the programme ‘Almería, youth employment against depopulation’, funded by the European Social Fund (EMP-POEJ Aid), aimed at young people under 30 years of age in small municipalities.
The aim of this proposal is to disseminate and awaken the entrepreneurial culture from three main axes: Training for entrepreneurship, Promotion of self-employment and Promotion of social economy. The objective: that young people from Almeria have the tools and the necessary impulse to give shape to their business projects in their municipality, or in those towns where they want to develop their business project.
These activities are carried out in the framework of public/private collaboration, under the European Funds, is necessary to visualize, in accordance with Regulation 2021/241 of the European project, as recipients must ensure visibility of the European Union by providing consistent information to the media and the general public.
The Alhama companies that have entered this programme are La Casilla Centro de Estimulación Cognitiva, Floristería Laura and El Cafecito Sociedad Cooperativa Andaluza. The president, the deputy and the mayor spoke with the entrepreneurs of these companies and learned about their business model, the steps they have taken to make it a reality and their projects for the future.
Amanda Leiva, from La Casilla Centro de Estimulación Cognitiva, thanked the Provincial Council for making these resources available to young people like her, which, as she said, “have been fundamental for starting up my business. I have received a grant of 8,500 euros which has given me a big push to set up in my village”.
Likewise, Antonio Francisco Paniagua, from Floristería Laura, thanked the Diputación for the aid from the programme and, as he pointed out, “with a grant of close to 5,000 euros” which has enabled him to acquire new furniture and other resources that enable him to provide different services outside his establishment, such as decorating for all kinds of events.
Finally, El Cafecito Sociedad Cooperativa Andaluza, under the management of Alejandro Compán and Javier Felices, started in the middle of the pandemic, in July 2020. The owners recall that “it was a tough period, but we managed to get back on our feet. The help from Europe, through the Provincial Council, has given us the possibility to give the business a big boost and continue to move forward. We bought several elements for the kitchen and other resources that allow us to offer a quality service”.