Castilla-La Mancha recognized by EU for youth agricultural integration

The Committee of the Regions has highlighted Castilla-La Mancha as a success story in its 2026 European Report on the State of Regions and Cities. The report praises the region's decade-long efforts to encourage young people to enter the primary sector.

Over the last ten years, Castilla-La Mancha has explicitly dedicated 225 million euros to active policies for youth employment in agriculture. This investment facilitated the entry of 5,300 young people into the labor market, representing half of all new youth additions to the agricultural sector in Spain.

The regional strategy utilized five funding calls characterized by rapid payments and free digital skills training. During the European Week of the Regions in Brussels, regional officials also emphasized the importance of European support for environmental management and the 'right to remain' in rural areas through guaranteed services and opportunities.