Local Action Group for the management of the LEADER+ program
in the Basque Country
in the Basque Country
The public limited company ITSASMENDIKOI S.A., as a company subscribed to the Basque Government Agriculture and Fishing Department, has as a mission to plan and develop actions on Rural Training, Promotion and Development, based on the policies and strategies defined by this Department. ITSASMENDIKOI offers a response to the demands of both the primary sector and the population of the rural areas of the Basque Autonomous Community, working in close collaboration with the agents and entities linked to the primary sector and Rural Development. ITSASMENDIKOI’s main objective is to re-establish the territorial balance of our Country, with life conditions comparable to those in the urban areas and to favour the maintenance of culture and traditions. The specific objectives aim for the settlement and increase of the population and the improvement of the quality of life.
Mountain Agricultural Associations and Rural Development Associations
The introduction of the Rural Development concept in the Basque Administration meant the creation of the MOUNTAIN AGRICULTURAL ASSOCIATIONS, which began their activity around the mid `80s, created under Decree 394/1985 of the 30th December, that said in its 7th article: “Mountain Associations shall be private law entities (…) their aim being to be useful by opening as a means for participation and preparation of farmers, food and agriculture industries, rural tourism sector and the local administration of the region (...)". The evolution of the rural world and of society in general caused the Law on Rural Development to be passed in the year 1998, and also brought about the role of these regional entities to be updated. Therefore, the Law on Rural Development sets up Rural Development Associations as instruments for the participation and collaboration of the economic and social agents in the actions for rural development of their regions. In compliance with the law, Mountain Agricultural Associations are in a stage of transformation to become ADRs (Rural Development Associations). ADRs are the first and main referent of rural development actions in these regions. The associations listed as partners of Mendinet, are those in the region that count with a municipality considered rural area objective 2 by the EU.
