The Biodiversity Foundation, the managing body of the European Social Fund (ESF), approved 49 projects for 2009 to promote job creation and improve the environment. These projects, which are part of the Foundation’s Empleaverde Programme, have an amount of 11.8 million euros.

Within the framework of this programme, the Foundation manages the funds allocated to it by the Adaptability and Employment Operational Programme of the European Social Fund (ESF) for the period 2007-2013.

The empleaverde programme has set goals for the period 2007-2013 to support more than 50,000 people and promote the creation of 1,000 companies in the environmental sector. To this end, it has a total endowment of 44.1 million euros, of which the European Social Fund co-finances between 50% and 80% of the projects, depending on the regions in which they are developed.

The objectives of the selected initiatives were: to promote job creation and increase the skills and qualifications of workers; promoting and improving employment and the modernization of enterprises; adapting economic activities to environmental regulations and promoting sustainability in economic activities.

Of the 49 projects, 8 were awarded to public administrations; 22, to the business, professional and trade union sectors; 16, to foundations, NGOs and associations and 3, to the academic sector.