The Asturian Network for Rural Development (READER) is a non-profit organization created in October 1999 and one of the most unique rural development associations currently existing in Spain. It is the meeting point, reflection and cooperation, where 71 municipalities of the Principality of Asturias promote projects or other initiatives aimed at creating employment and wealth and fix population in rural Asturias.

Since its constitution, the Asturian Network has been characterized by its open character and plural participation. In fact, since its creation, the number of members has increased and, to date, it is made up of eleven Local Action Groups (LAGs). READER is present in 71 of the 78 Asturian municipalities and, for many years, has been one of the two vice-presidents of the Spanish Rural Development Network (REDR).

In its good relations with the rest of the regional networks, READER has been present in almost all the national territory, whether visiting different experiences and rural initiatives, worthy of being implemented in our autonomous community, or participating in events, conferences or congresses in which Asturias has always been acclaimed to present its model of rural development. Our region has been consecrated as a model to follow for its defense of the rights of the rural environment. At present and in relation to the LEADER plan, the Asturian LAGs manage 30% of the Rural Development Plan of the Principality of Asturias 2014-2020, being Asturias the second European region with more economic funds for this model of rural development, only behind Saxony (Germany).

At the international level, READER has been present at important events, such as the International Conference “Knowing the needs to change the world”, held in Quebec (Canada), or at the summit on the future of the LEADER initiative that took place in Limassol (Cyprus). A READER delegation also travelled to Bolivia, where they exchanged experiences with the Coordinating Committee for the Integration of Peasant, Indigenous and Native Bolivian Economic Organizations (CIOEC), in a programme promoted by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO); we have also participated in cooperation conferences and congresses held in countries such as England, Ireland, Poland, Finland, Germany and Wales. It is also worth mentioning the intervention and collaboration of READER in several regional, national and European projects.

During these years we have organised an average of eight events and annual events, of which one or two always have a participation of 300 people. All events organised by READER have more than 100 participants.

We are the voice of the Asturian rural environment and we are specialists in communication, addressing and work from social networks, editing, documentaries, films and television programs.

For more information about us, visit our website here: readerasturias.org

Information source: Red Asturiana de Desarrollo Rural