The Biodiversity Foundation of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Environment has participated in the Annual Review of the European Social Fund (ESF) programmes in Spain, of which the Foundation’s own Empleaverde Programme is one of the most ambitious initiatives supported by the European Commission in our country. The Biodiversity Foundation of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Environment has participated today in the Annual Review of the European Social Fund (ESF) programmes in Spain, of which the Foundation’s own Empleaverde Programme is one of the most ambitious initiatives supported by the European Commission in our country.

At this meeting, the Commission wanted to highlight the Empleaverde Programme as an example of good practice in the management of Community funds. In this framework, the annual implementation reports for 2013 have been analysed and the outstanding actions of the various intermediate bodies that have participated have been presented, among other financial and audit issues.

The Empleaverde Programme of the Biodiversity Foundation, co-financed by the ESF, aims to promote employment and the creation of green companies. Among its recipients are disadvantaged groups and workers in rural areas or residents of protected natural areas. The programme has been developed through the holding of conferences, training courses, seminars and congresses as well as studies, guides, personalised advice and networking.

The results of the Empleaverde Programme are estimated at more than 3,900 actions, support for more than 2,600 companies and new lines of business and the creation of more than 500 direct jobs. Along the same lines, the Emprendeverde Network, a platform for supporting and promoting the green economy, already has more than 6,500 members.

The Empleaverde Programme, endowed with 42 million euros, is one of the most important initiatives of the European Social Fund in Spain. His results have recently earned the recognition of the European Commission in the advertising campaign “Working for you” where he has been the protagonist.