The initial project idea came from an evaluation study which pinpointed a number of inter-related and serious challenges affecting the rural area in Castilla y León, Spain. These included high unemployment, lack of economic and business activities, depopulation and a general weakening of the socio-economic fabric of the area, combined with a lack of information and guidance on how to find employment or to find out about self-employment options.  

This was compounded by a lack of entrepreneurial culture and a low ability to adapt to change, leading many young people and women to leave their villages in search of job opportunities elsewhere – mostly in cities. Even the LAGs of these rural territories were increasingly approached by people asking for employment. 

Based on this evident need to improve access to information about existing job offers and to increase the levels of self-employment and entrepreneurship, the project idea was to create a new mechanism – an online platform – to deliver relevant information, advice and guidance. The target audience included job seekers as well as local companies in search of staff, who could reach potential employees more effectively. 

To increase the scale and effectiveness of such a new, internet-based tool, it made sense for the LAGs to collaborate with each other. The idea of a collaborative rural employment platform was born in 2018.  

The main aim of the project was to develop a joint strategy between the 11 LAGs focusing on stimulating and promoting the rural labour market via improved provision of information, advice and guidance for the unemployed, entrepreneurs and companies.   

This was to be accomplished at various levels, including: 

The project was implemented over a period of three years.  

The first phase included the set-up of all relevant project structures that would be implemented throughout the duration of the project, including all management, coordination and evaluation processes and monitoring procedures. Furthermore, a mechanism for the identification and dissemination of good practices in cooperation was also established.  

The second phase focused on the training of trainers in relevant topics and the provision of information about the content, access and administration of the service provision. The topics included entrepreneurship and business advice. Other sessions focused on the use of the socio-occupational guidance platform, the methodology of socio-labour guidance actions and the use of the labour market integration platform. Assistance was provided for content creation for the project’s platform and its management.  

The third phase focused on the actual work with unemployed people and with companies. The activities matched job seekers with job opportunities, including by providing technical assistance for disabled people. A digital newsletter on employment and entrepreneurship was developed and the project was promoted and communicated to the target audiences, including via awareness raising events to help strengthen the entrepreneurial culture. Advice and personalised support to companies and entrepreneurs was provided and a labour orientation process for the active search for employment was implemented. 

This was followed by the promotion of ‘cooperation spaces’ for companies and business associations. This involved holding information meetings about legal aspects of employment, aid and subsidies and other common topics. The innovative web platform includes a comprehensive range of employment services, allowing people direct access to job offers, a database of business resources available for sale, rent or transfer, employment news, courses, grants and subsidies, and job vacancies. Training and personalised advice included support in the field of self-employment (feasibility studies, business plans, personalised advice and financial aid) to create, diversify or restructure businesses. 

During the completion phase, joint strategies for active employment and entrepreneurship programmes were promoted and agreements and conventions with organisations to work in coordination were finalised. 

The key stakeholders of the project were the 11 LAGs, unemployed people, entrepreneurs and companies.  

In quantitative terms, the project created one comprehensive platform of employment and entrepreneurship services, bringing together more than 5 000 registered job seekers, more than 10 000 companies and managing more than 1 500 job offers.  

Around 700 companies gained know-how in digital transformation. More than 1 500 young people have an increased awareness of entrepreneurialism and job opportunities. Participants acquired relevant tools and key skills in how to search for employment. Of all people employed through the platform, more than 200 were young people.  Additionally, learning spaces for more than 300 people were created. 

In qualitative terms, the project increased the economic dynamism of the labour market. 

The participating companies can now present their job opportunities in a more informative and appealing manner (highlighting innovation, teleworking, collaborative working etc.) to improve their competitiveness.  

It was also noted that young people had a more pro-active attitude in searching for employment and that they felt more motivated and encouraged through the support. 

The project helped job seekers, including women, to learn how to prepare CVs, cover letters, job interviews, and to increase their presence on social networks and to consider self-employment. 

The project also offered networking opportunities for young people, women, vulnerable groups, businesses, entrepreneurs and local organisations. The dissemination of information, social networking, conferences and publications also helped to raise overall awareness about the job portal. 

The jobs' portal is an innovative technological tool to connect the labour force with employers. 

New digital and communication skills were acquired by all stakeholders.