Rural Europe on the move English_chapt1_6 | Page 51

Learning to listen
Welcome to
Pembrokeshire,
Wales
During my train ride from London
,
PLANED: Living
,
local communities
at work
Pembrokeshire sits in southwest
works with “geographic communities
and communities of interest to
identify, to develop and to implement
sustainable projects that ensure the
well-being of the community, with
Paddington to Carmarthen station, Wales and has a mainly rural a focus on long-term, integrated,
I felt enthusiasm and stress, a population of around 123,000. It has collaborative actions.” Under its former
combination I am familiar with when a long coastline with fine landscape name, the South Pembrokeshire
I have to deal with the unexpected. that has been protected and valorised Action for Rural Communities (SPARC),
Obstacles piled up: the train was by Pembrokeshire Coast National PLANED was one of the 137 groups
delayed, my final destination changed Park. The economy relies mainly on selected by the EU to pilot the
and, whilst I generally feel fine in agriculture and tourism, thanks to a LEADER programme back in 1991.
English, the Welsh accent plays tricks wealth of natural and cultural heritage. It has been managing the LEADER
group since then. From a Land Trust
on me. What if I do not understand We are here thanks to Michael the conductor when he announces Dower. He had already identified to energy provision, PLANED’s work is
my station? PLANED as a success story when far-reaching. Our workshop, however,
he carried out a survey on local focused on how to build partnerships
sustainable projects in the UK. between local communities, the
But, as is often the case, kindness
reigns and co-travellers tell me
when and where to get off. So I find
myself on a cold Welsh night waiting
PLANED is a community-led
partnership with a 30-year history. It
public sector, voluntary services and
special interest groups.
for a member of PLANED to pick
me up. PLANED is the local partner
we collaborated with to host the
workshop.
The organisation has ample
experience working on dialogue,
citizen participation and community
empowerment.
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