CaixaBank and Ader La Palma have selected four projects in the 2026 call of 'Tierra de Oportunidades', an initiative aimed at promoting rural entrepreneurship and generating employment on the island.
CaixaBank and the Association for Rural Development of La Palma (Ader La Palma) announced this Thursday the four winning projects of the 2026 call of the 'Tierra de Oportunidades' programme. The initiative, promoted by the banking entity in collaboration with rural development groups across the country, aims to support entrepreneurship in rural environments and contribute to economic dynamism and job creation on the island.
The selected projects reflect the diversity of the entrepreneurial fabric of La Palma. Among them stands out Isla Madre: Hierbas de La Palma, led by María Laura Luppino in Tijarafe, a proposal based on organic cultivation and the artisanal transformation of medicinal plants. Also recognised is Avorigen Cosmética Natural, by Ambra Airaghi, which focuses on the production of natural cosmetic products made from local ingredients.
Completing the list are Apicultura El Poleal, promoted by Vanessa Martín in Villa de Mazo, which combines beekeeping production with education and experiences about the world of bees, and Kasay Handmade, by Saray Lorenzo, an initiative that merges craftsmanship, design, and sustainability to preserve traditional techniques and open up to new markets.
The technical committee evaluated the proposals considering their degree of innovation, feasibility, capacity to generate employment and wealth in the territory, as well as their contribution to sustainable development and the fight against rural depopulation. According to sources from the organisation, the quality of the submitted projects has been very high, demonstrating the entrepreneurial dynamism of the island.
The award ceremony took place at the CaixaBank Store office in Santa Cruz de La Palma. Attendees included the area business director of the entity on the island, Cristina Daranas; the head of Social Action of CaixaBank in the Canary Islands, Olga del Pino; and the president of ADER La Palma, Luis Vicente Martín. During the event, the entrepreneurs had the opportunity to present their projects and share their experiences with the attendees.
As part of the prize, the four projects will join 'The challenge of Tierra de Oportunidades', a nationwide initiative promoted by CaixaBank and Rural Talent. This programme will offer participants training, specialised support, and networking opportunities with other rural entrepreneurs from across Spain.
For La Palma's entrepreneurs, this support represents a significant boost in a context where rural entrepreneurship is key to retaining population and generating opportunities. The island of La Palma, which is still recovering from the volcanic eruption of 2021, sees these initiatives as a way to diversify its economy and strengthen its productive fabric.
Those interested in learning more about the projects or future calls can contact Ader La Palma or visit the CaixaBank website. The entity plans to open a new edition of the programme in 2027.
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