This Friday morning, Sylvain André, mayor of Cendras and president of the Association of Rural Mayors of the Gard (AMR 30), met with Florence Bouis, mayor of Molières-sur-Cèze and vice-president of AMR 30, in Nîmes to welcome the first group of participants in a new university diploma called Management of Rural Municipalities. This program is aimed at local elected officials in the Gard department, providing them with specialized training tailored to the challenges of rural governance. The training program, which spans two academic years and includes about 134 hours of instruction, is designed to fit around the responsibilities of local officials. It combines online lessons held every two weeks with in-person training sessions held roughly every two months. The first group of 30 participants, including mayors, deputies, and counselors, will complete the program by June 2028. Most of them come from areas where AMR 30 has the strongest presence, such as Alès-Cévennes, Uzège, and Gard Rhodanien. Sylvain André noted that this program is the result of a long-term effort by AMR 30, carried out in close collaboration with Nîmes-Vauban University. He expressed gratitude to the university for responding to their request and acknowledged the previous board's role in developing the curriculum. The training was inspired by the DERUMAC program, a similar initiative run by AMRF in partnership with Sciences Po Lyon, a well-known French institution for political and social sciences education. André also highlighted the significant contribution of Marie-Lise Gloanec, a former member of the AMR 30 board, who played an active role in bringing the project to fruition. Her involvement was crucial in shaping the program and ensuring it met the needs of rural local leaders. The launch of this diploma marks a major step forward in equipping local officials with the skills needed to manage rural communities effectively in the modern era.