Line of action:

Terrestrial ecosystems

Status:

En ejecución

Location:

Lion

Geographic scope:

España

Execution date:

2022

Duration:

01/07/2022 - 31/12/2025

Typology:

Set of bioeconomy and sustainable development actions in a territory

Total budget:

451,400 euros

Amount of aid from the Biodiversity Foundation:

428,830 euros (95%)

Coordinating entity:

Omaña and Luna Valleys Biosphere Reserve Management Association (RBVOyL)

The Valles de Omaña y Luna Biosphere Reserve (RBVOyL) is a clear example of rural mountain territory. Depopulation, low economic activity and the decrease in the availability of water resources associated with climate change make this protected area especially vulnerable to the loss of biodiversity and the economic activity linked to it. Since 2020, the RBVOyL has been studying the effects that the decrease in water resources has on beekeeping, livestock and the exploitation of aromatic and medicinal plants. SOMOS AGUA II explores a new development of bioeconomic activity, linked to the primary sector and natural resources, through innovative processes of social participation. The cultural processes associated with this project will make it possible to initiate new narratives about what is happening in these rural mountain areas that are facing the demographic challenge, and to establish new internal and external communication channels that help to share a new look at them and the products and services they generate.

Somos Agua II promotes the development of new bioeconomic activities linked to the primary sector and the natural resources characteristic of the mountain areas where the project is developed, taking into account the effects of climate change and the social reality of the territory. To this end, the project contemplates analysing the effects of the decrease in water resources on the main economic sectors of the territory (beekeeping, livestock and the exploitation of aromatic and medicinal plants) through the installation of sensors and data analysis on farms, promoting the use of wild plants with potential uses, and promoting the generation and expansion of a micro-enterprise fabric through workshops, creation and consolidation of green enterprises, as well as through the promotion of quality brands linked to the Biosphere Reserve.

The project plans to permanently monitor data related to water availability and its effects (productivity, mortality, growth, concentration of active ingredients, etc.) in 5 plots, identify species of wild cultivated plants with potential uses and up to 50 derived phytocompounds. The workshops and cultural activities will promote the creation of infographics for entrepreneurship in the bioeconomy, as well as the creation of recipe books, identification of new compounds and biomaterials, narratives with micro-entrepreneurs and promotional videos. Advice will also be carried out for 15 entrepreneurs for the creation or diversification of new micro-enterprises, which is expected to culminate in the creation of at least 8 new micro-enterprises and, finally, it is expected to register 20 companies in the national brand of Spanish Biosphere Reserves and 15 new ones in the Valles de Omaña y Luna Biosphere Reserve brand.