News

• The LEADER cooperation project “The Challenge 2026” encompasses 11 initiatives covering areas such as crafts, gastronomy, nature tourism, digitalization and extensive livestock farming to generate alliances between rural entrepreneurs
• 27 entrepreneurs from 22 locations are participating in the initiatives that are moving on to the dissemination phase
• The four winning projects will be announced this fall, following the evaluation by the Selection Committee.

The first edition of “The 2026 Challenge,” a LEADER cooperation initiative launched in Aragon to promote rural entrepreneurship through collaboration among entrepreneurs from different sectors and regions, continues to move forward with 11 projects exploring new ways of starting businesses and collaborating in rural Aragon. These initiatives, driven by 27 entrepreneurs, are linked to 11 Local Action Groups (LAGs) and 22 towns, and are now entering a dissemination phase to showcase their proposals and the collaborative work behind them.

Its aim is to foster partnerships between entrepreneurs from different sectors and regions to create new products, services, activities, or experiences, or to improve existing ones. Of the 14 proposals received, 11 are continuing in this first edition and are competing for one of the four prizes.

11 initiatives that connect sectors and territories

The proposals showcase diverse opportunities for collaboration in rural areas, ranging from the revitalization of local resources to the integration of digital tools and the design of new tourism experiences. These are the 11 projects participating in the dissemination phase:

• Miedes de Aragón Accommodation Centre: RH Laboral and Nexa Group promote the rehabilitation of homes to create a flexible accommodation space, with short, medium and long stays, in Miedes de Aragón, in the territory of the ADRI Calatayud .

• BATÁN: Bruixa Tintórea and Mas la Llum are promoting a shared artisanal textile brand using local wool and native dye plants, with the collection “Las Pantuflas del Matarraña” (The Slippers of Matarraña). Its promoters are located within the territory of the GAL Bajo Aragón-Matarraña (Local Action Group ).

• Family experiences to discover through play: Capucetas and Flaura combine free play in nature, traditional crafts, and intergenerational relationships to design activities aimed at families. They participate from the CEDER Monegros region .

• Gastronomic Experience and Accommodation in Miedes: Nexa Group SL and Casa Ros Carnicería are promoting rural accommodation and traditional gastronomy workshops, focusing on dishes such as tripe and sausages. This initiative is part of ADRI Calatayud .

• The Awakening of the Senses: Lafi Biolivos , Celeste Ciudad , Abejas de Cándido , and Almendras de Las Pedrosas are collaborating on a four-stage sensory experience that connects agri-food producers with food and well-being through yoga. The initiative is taking place in the ADEFO Cinco Villas region .

• The Raíz Project: VitaDigital Learning and NomadHive aim to adapt digitalization to the needs of rural individuals, businesses, and organizations through artificial intelligence, automation, and cybersecurity solutions. Its promoters are based in the territories of CEDER Monegros and ADESHO-Hoya de Huesca .

• Stars on demand: AstroBirding and InspirAlbarracín design personalized nighttime experiences that combine astrotourism, local gastronomy, and photography in the Sierra de Albarracín. The initiative is being promoted in the territories of ASIADER and ADRI Teruel .

• Naïra: Root that is worn on the skin: Radiz-Cooperativa Tararaina , CISTUS Natural Cosmetics and Marta Collados promote a collaborative cosmetic-textile product that brings together a licorice mask, reusable discs and a toiletry bag, from the territories of ADRI Jiloca-Gallocanta , CEDER Somontano and CEDEMAR-Ribera Baja del Ebro .

• Mountain Tourism Center: Pyrenees Guides , Ebike Pyrenees , Senderos Ordesa SLU and Fly Around propose to create a shared space for reception, information and services for active tourism in Sobrarbe, in the territory of CEDESOR .

• Shepherds of Biodiversity: Pyrenean Veal , piriNATURE experiences , and El Benasqués Cheese link extensive livestock farming, local gastronomy, and biodiversity conservation through a tourism experience in the Benasque Valley. They participate in the CEDESOR territory.

• Retreats: The Taste of Authenticity: Isabel Navarro Zanon and Marina Gargallo Ulldemolins propose four seasonal retreats that combine mindful eating, cooking, and well-being in nature. The initiative is being promoted in the territories of the GAL Bajo Aragón-Matarraña and CEDEMAR-Bajo Aragón Caspe .

Cooperation as a tool for entrepreneurship in rural areas

Beyond the variety of themes, the proposals share one element: collaboration between entrepreneurs and businesses with different profiles . The initiative aims to foster this union, enabling the sharing of knowledge and resources, generating new opportunities, and developing projects connected to the needs and characteristics of each region.

In this process, the Local Action Groups (LAGs) play a supporting role in initiatives that contribute to the development and economic diversification of rural areas. The 2026 Challenge also aims to foster new connections between regions and to showcase the entrepreneurial talent that exists in Aragon.

Next phase: dissemination and selection of winners

The 11 projects are now moving to a stage focused on showcasing their proposals and the work carried out by their promoters. Information and videos of the initiatives can be found on the La Era Rural website .

Following this phase, the selection committee will announce the four winning projects, each of which will receive a prize of €2,000 . The funding is intended to cover expenses related to the creation or development of the product, service, activity, or event, and the services must be provided by professionals from rural areas.

The call also includes the dissemination of participating initiatives, regardless of whether they are awarded prizes, and a space to present their projects at an event planned for autumn in an Aragonese municipality.

The initiative is promoted by the projects: “La Era Rural” , “Concilia” , “Pon Aragón en tu Mesa” , “Birding Aragón” and “Pueblos Vivos Aragón” . Furthermore, it is framed within the LEADER cooperation intervention of the PEPAC and co-financed by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) and the Government of Aragon .