Yesterday, Calpe hosted the gala to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the creation of CREAMA (Consortium for the Economic Recovery and Activity of the Marina Alta), an event that brought together institutional representatives, experts, and representatives of business associations and organisations from across the region.
The event kicked off with a speech by Carlos Pastor Ventura, MP and president of CREAMA, who pointed out that ‘today we are celebrating three decades of working together, public service, economic revitalisation and proximity. CREAMA has known how to stand by the people, to structure the region by committing to plurality, beyond colours and ideologies. This is a project of people, and that is what makes it unique’.
CREAMA manager Rosarío Donderis took the floor to add that ‘we are celebrating 30 years and proving that we are no longer a utopia but a reality in the Marina Alta, helping to integrate people into the world of work, revitalising businesses, connecting people and projects, and making the small miracle of reaching agreements every day possible’.
The gala featured several tables where the history and trajectory of the Consortium was recalled through the personal testimonies of technicians, users and collaborating entities of CREAMA. Lola Orihuel, manager of Creama since its foundation and until 2015, pointed out that ‘when we met and I saw politicians of different political colours representing such different municipalities, I thought we would never reach agreements, but everything was very easy because there was a real desire to make it work’.
The mayor of Calpe, Ana Sala, which holds the capital status of CREAMA this year, said that ‘we have come to the conclusion that only by working together can we promote the well-being of our businesses and residents, by committing to integration and building a network that has allowed us to grow’. Sala also announced the governing board's decision to award this year's ‘Jaume Pastor i Fluixà-9 d'octubre’ prize to CREAMA.
The event ended with a speech by the president of the Alicante Provincial Council, Toni Pérez, who highlighted the innovative nature of CREAMA: "Thirty years ago, some people were already talking about the objectives of the 2030 Agenda and were committed to building a common project of territorial cooperation and institutional efficiency, putting people at the centre of our action. Politics is worthwhile when it helps people to grow, and that is the powerful message that CREAMA offers us today."
In its three decades of existence, CREAMA has achieved significant figures: more than 700,000 people served, 73 million euros managed —more than 5 million from European funds— 85 regional projects developed and an active network of local agencies that once again has nine offices (Dénia, Xàbia, Calpe, Teulada-Moraira, Benissa, Gata de Gorgos, Pego and Pedreguer) following the reincorporation of El Verger.
Yesterday's event was a tribute to commitment, networking and the desire to build a region, to the people who over the last 30 years have made CREAMA a benchmark for local development built on solidarity and mutual trust.