Project Launch: CIMER – Inclusive Communities in the Pyrenees

02 / 07 / 2024

On June 27th, the launch session of the CIMER project took place in an event held by all its partners in the city of Lleida.

CIMER is an innovative initiative that aims to raise awareness about the importance of promoting more inclusive communities. By placing people at the forefront and center of change, alongside leaders and relevant stakeholders, CIMER mobilizes communities and contributes to the growth of the entire social fabric.

CIMER operates based on the collaborative action of its eight partners, all of whom have extensive experience in providing care to people and have approaches to action in various territories of the Pyrenees. Among the CIMER partners are ATAM and VIVELIBRE S.L, as well as other national and European entities:

1. – Fundación Privada Ilersis
2. – Support Girona
3. – UDAF65
4. – UDAF31
5. – URAF Occitanie
6. – Fondation Marie-Louise

The main objective of CIMER is to promote high levels of inclusion in mountainous and rural areas, enabling people with disabilities and older adults with dependency or in situations of frailty to fully exercise their right to an independent life within their community, without being forced to leave their homes. This objective aligns with Article 19 of the International Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UN, 2006).

In this regard, CIMER will focus on three key areas:

1. 1.- Empowerment, training, and identification of best practices in independent living.
2. 2.- Actions for the prevention of dependency and the promotion of personal autonomy.
3. 3.- Creation of more inclusive rural and mountain communities.

The development of the project is supported financially by the INTERREG POCTEFA program, co-financed at 65% by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) through the Interreg V-A Spain-France-Andorra Program (POCTEFA 2021-2027). The aim of POCTEFA is to strengthen the economic and social integration of the border area between Spain, France, and Andorra, focusing on the development of cross-border economic, social, and environmental activities through joint strategies for sustainable territorial development.

The collaboration among CIMER partners stimulates creativity and the generation of new ideas, ensuring the project’s success. The project’s launch meeting, held on Thursday, June 27th, at the Llotja de Lleida, is a clear example of this commitment. The Private Foundation Ilersis, as the project leader, hosted the event, welcoming all CIMER partners. Participants also had the opportunity to tour the Foundation’s new facilities and the Seu Vella of the city, thereby strengthening cooperation bonds.

This meeting marks the beginning of CIMER’s activity schedule, which is designed to generate a positive change in inclusive mountain and rural communities.

The project has been co-financed at 65% by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) through the Interreg V-A Spain-France-Andorra Program (POCTEFA 2021-2027). The objective of POCTEFA is to strengthen the economic and social integration of the Spain-France-Andorra border area. Its support focuses on the development of cross-border economic, social, and environmental activities through joint strategies for sustainable territorial development.