Rural pilot 7: Spain
Rural district description
The Spanish pilot brings together the ADESIMAN territory in Sierra and Mancha Conquense with the Segobriga Archaeological Park as a strategic cultural anchor for rural development, further reinforced by the historical legacy of the “Camino de la Orden de Santiago” that crosses the area. This historic route adds a transregional narrative linking landscapes, settlements and heritage sites, enhancing the territory’s cultural connectivity and visibility. Covering a wide network of municipalities and local actors, the area combines agricultural land, small settlements, heritage resources and tourism potential, but it needs stronger coordination to turn these assets into lasting opportunities. The pilot is therefore positioned as a testbed for showing how culture-led development can strengthen rural-urban synergies, local entrepreneurship and community cohesion across a dispersed territory.
Challenge description
Rural-Urban Synergies & Cultural Heritage.
The main challenge is to connect heritage, entrepreneurship, digital transition and local capacity building within one territorial framework rather than treating them as separate agendas. The pilot seeks to align ADESIMAN’s rural development strategies with the Segobriga area’s cultural and tourism potential, while also exploring energy communities, agrotourism, education and innovation support for local businesses. It must demonstrate how rural areas can adapt incubator-style support, involve technology experts and policy-makers, and create opportunities that are relevant for young people, farmers, tourism actors and community organisations.
Anticipated result
The anticipated result is a stronger and more coherent development model in which cultural heritage acts as a driver of innovation, local business creation and community engagement. The pilot should improve cooperation across municipalities and sectors, strengthen digital and entrepreneurial skills, and support new activities linked to tourism, agriculture, education, environment and energy. By linking heritage assets with modern tools and governance, it is expected to generate a more sustainable and attractive rural environment, helping the area retain value locally while building stronger rural-urban relationships.
Open calls
Mobilise Open Call: AI4RURAL Ideathon
The Mobilise open call was implemented through the AI4RURAL Ideathon held in Tarancón, which brought together around thirty professionals, startups, companies and local stakeholders. The initiative focused on co‑creating innovative, AI‑based ideas to address rural challenges in the Sierra and Mancha Conquense, particularly in areas such as smart tourism, cultural heritage valorisation, environmental management and local services. The ideathon strengthened collaboration among territorial actors and generated project concepts with strong potential for real‑world application and rural entrepreneurship.
Develop Open Call: ARISE
Under the Develop open call, the ARISE (Archaeological Routes for Inclusive Synergy & Entrepreneurship) project was selected and supported to scale up and implement a concrete solution. ARISE resulted in a public digital platform that connects archaeological heritage, cultural routes and local tourism services across the Sierra and Mancha Conquense. The platform enhances the visibility of heritage assets, such as Segobriga, while supporting local businesses and fostering rural‑urban synergies through integrated, culture‑led digital innovation.
Winning projects news
Rural innovation: the AI4RURAL Ideathon brings together around thirty professionals and companies in Tarancón
Promotional video
Policy briefs
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