This past Saturday, the city of Cuenca welcomed the first in-person meeting of the G30, a high-level international group committed to addressing the global challenge of depopulation through innovative policy and territorial approaches. The event brought together a diverse range of talented individuals — policymakers, researchers, and practitioners — from across Europe and beyond, all united by a common goal: to ensure that public policies take into account the specific needs of rural areas.
One of the highlights of the day was the participation of José Luis Martínez Guijarro, Vice President of Castilla-La Mancha. He shared with attendees how the region is already implementing a mechanism akin to the rural proofing approach. Since 2022, all regional regulations in Castilla-La Mancha must include a demographic impact report to assess their effects on sparsely populated areas. His intervention offered valuable insight into how rural-sensitive policymaking can be mainstreamed within existing legal and administrative frameworks.
The importance and relevance of the gathering did not go unnoticed. Several media outlets covered the event, helping amplify the message that rural territories matter and deserve tailored policy tools. You can read more about the meeting at the following links:
- ABC
- Diario de la Mancha
- Voces de Cuenca
- Nueva Alcarria
- La Comarca de Puertollano
- Europa Press
- Castilla-La Mancha TV. From minute 11:17 to minute 18:19
The Cuenca meeting marks a key step in the G30’s journey — not only in raising the political profile of rural proofing but also in creating a vibrant, international community of change-makers ready to ensure no territory is left behind.
