The Fundación Caja Rural de Aragón has been working for years to promote the development of the territory through initiatives linked to culture, training, sport, entrepreneurship and support for social entities. Laura Prada, director of the entity, reviews the main lines of action, its commitment to bringing knowledge and opportunities to the whole of Aragon and the importance of maintaining a close relationship with people and territories. In addition, it addresses its collaboration with the University of Zaragoza in the well-known Caja Rural de Aragón Foundation Chair.
QUESTION: What values distinguish the Caja Rural de Aragón Foundation?
ANSWER: The main values of the Caja Rural de Aragón Foundation are threefold: commitment to people, proximity to the territory and the generation of opportunities. We are a very close foundation that we like to listen to. Above all, we want to know what the needs of each of the territories in which we are present are in order to get closer and give each of them what they need most.
Q: How would you like Aragonese society to perceive the Foundation?
A: I would like you to perceive us as a foundation and a close entity. An entity that listens and an entity that is present in everything that the territory needs.
I would like society to perceive us as a foundation and a close entity
Q: The Caja Rural de Aragón Foundation has always kept culture in mind in its programme of action. Is it intended that this will continue to be the case in the future?
A: Yes, that’s right. One of the most important pillars we have is culture. Likewise, another very important pillar is also everything that involves art, sport, training and everything related to entrepreneurship itself and the environment. But culture is always going to be an important pillar because we understand that it also opens us up to new challenges and above all to enhance and promote critical thinking among all people.
Q: The headquarters of the Caja Rural de Aragón Foundation usually hosts exhibitions and talks. What can be enjoyed right now in this space?
A: The headquarters is a cultural epicenter and has been for many years. What do we have now? We are going to launch in a week what are the scholarships of excellence to be able to reward and recognize all the excellent children in sport and in studies. We consider that this support is very important. The cycle «Reading to see» is also going to be launched shortly, a cycle designed not only in literature but designed above all to see and read in a different way and to relate to each other. Another project that we are going to present soon is the poster for the Historical Novel Conference.
One of the most important pillars we have is culture
Q: How did the link between the Caja Rural de Aragón Foundation and the University of Zaragoza come about?
A: Traditionally, we have been collaborating with the University of Zaragoza with a Chair. We consider the Extraordinary Summer Courses to be very important because one of our objectives is to bring training, culture and knowledge to the entire territory where we are present and that everyone can access it. The University of Zaragoza also shares these values with us. It has allowed us to bring this training and bring those values to the entire territory.
Q: What does the Caja Rural de Aragón Foundation Chair project consist of?
A. The main objective of the Caja Rural de Aragón Foundation Chair is, through workshops and work sessions, to bring together everything related to agri-food knowledge, the management of the rural environment and entrepreneurship itself in the rural environment. Through the Chair, the Caja Rural de Aragón Foundation wants to promote this knowledge and for the environment itself to tell us exactly what their needs would be and where we can contribute.
Q: How is the relationship with the University of Zaragoza as a result of this project?
A: It is an excellent relationship. We have a very direct dialogue with the new rector and whenever we propose any project, activity or initiative to be carried out, they are willing to listen. They provide that knowledge from a training point of view and we provide them with the vision of the sector, as well as the topics that are necessary and that are required through the different companies to be able to work.
Q: What are the next projects that the Foundation is working on?
A: We are going to continue to focus on culture in the next projects. But there is a very important issue such as entrepreneurship in rural areas that we believe should be worked on. Another of the pillars that we are going to develop is the financial education part. We believe that it is key that both the youngest and the oldest know about this whole world and that they see what their concerns are. Apart from that, we are going to continue with micro-grants and support all social entities.
