The Local Action Group of the Teleno Mountains has secured a grant of 10,000 euros from the Network of Agricultural Test Spaces to launch 'Teleno Rural Lab', a project focused on beekeeping and poultry for women in rural areas.
The Local Action Group of the Teleno Mountains has obtained 10,000 euros in the 2026 call from the Network of Agricultural Test Spaces (RETA) to develop the project 'Teleno Rural Lab: Women, Beekeeping and Poultry'. The goal is clear: to promote female entrepreneurship in the rural area of the León region.
An Agricultural Test Space for new entrepreneurs
The funding will allow for the design of an Agricultural Test Space, a model that offers interested individuals the opportunity to launch their project in a real environment. It includes training, advice, and technical support before they officially start their activity.
The project will focus on beekeeping and extensive poultry farming, two activities chosen for their development potential in the Teleno Mountains. Their viability for new entrepreneurs and the added value of products such as heather honey or sustainable poultry production are also considered.
The president of the Local Action Group, Narciso Fernández Prieto, highlighted that this grant represents "an important support" for an initiative that seeks to open new job opportunities for rural women. Additionally, it encourages generational change and harnesses the potential of the region's natural resources.
Collaboration to adapt the model to the territory
In the coming months, the Local Action Group will work alongside administrations, women's associations, cooperatives, and agricultural organizations. The aim is to define the operation of the future Agricultural Test Space and adapt the model to the needs of the territory.
Fernández Prieto emphasized that RETA's recognition will allow progress in developing a project aimed at strengthening entrepreneurship and sustainable development in the Teleno Mountains. The initiative seeks not only to train new entrepreneurs but also to create an ecosystem that retains population in rural areas.
For women interested in beekeeping or poultry farming, the Agricultural Test Space will be a risk-free entry point: they will be able to test their project in a real environment with technical support before launching on their own. This reduces uncertainty and increases the chances of success.
A boost for generational change in the countryside
The RETA grant is part of policies supporting rural entrepreneurship and generational change. In a region like the Teleno Mountains, where depopulation is a constant challenge, initiatives like this aim to offer job alternatives to women and young people.
The 'Teleno Rural Lab' project aims to demonstrate that beekeeping and extensive poultry farming are viable and profitable. Furthermore, it advocates for quality products such as heather honey, which has a growing market among consumers seeking local and sustainable foods.
The 2026 call from RETA has selected several projects across Spain, and the one from the Teleno Mountains has been chosen. The implementation of the project will begin in the coming months, with the establishment of the working group and the definition of the first steps.
For women who want to start a business in rural areas, this is a real opportunity to train and launch their business with support. The application period to join the project will open once the Agricultural Test Space is defined, likely throughout 2027.
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