The director of the Biodiversity Foundation, a public foundation of the Government of Spain, under the Ministry of the Environment, Rural and Marine Affairs, Ana Leiva, and the Minister of Tourism, Environment and Territorial Policy of La Rioja, Aránzazu Vallejo, have signed a collaboration agreement today in Logroño, for a total amount of 400,693.14 euros.

This investment will serve to develop a project that promotes employment and good environmental practices in La Rioja and will be co-financed by 50% by each of the signatory entities.

The Biodiversity Foundation is the managing body of the European Social Fund (F.S.E.) and in 2008 it allocated 14,870,837.51 euros to finance 32 projects aimed at improving employment and the environment, through the Empleaverde Programme. One of these initiatives is the one that will be developed in the Biosphere Reserve of La Rioja.

According to the objectives of the 32 approved projects, it is estimated that more than 13,000 workers will be trained, some 300 enterprises or business activities in the environmental sector will be created or started and more than 300,000 workers will be involved in the activities of the projects.

Within the framework of this programme, the Foundation manages the funds allocated to it by the Operational Programme for Adaptability and Employment of the European Social Fund (F.S.E.) 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 allocation for the years 2007-2013 of 44.1 million euros, of which the European Social Fund co-finances 80% or 50%, depending on the regions in which the projects are developed.

The objectives of the Empleaverde Programme are: to promote and improve employment; increase the skills and qualifications of workers; to promote the creation and modernization of companies; adapting economic activities to environmental regulations; and promoting sustainability in economic activities.

Sustainable business activities in the Biosphere Reserve of La Rioja

The objective of the project proposed by the Ministry of Tourism, Environment and Territorial Policy of La Rioja is to create a new business culture of sustainability in La Rioja, and with greater emphasis on its Biosphere Reserve, which generates a chain of sustainability between the producers of the Reserve and consumers, promoting the sustainability of economic activities and increasing the existence and consumption of sustainable products and services.

The aim is to turn sustainability into a business incentive. To this end, the Government of La Rioja will transfer to those companies that meet these objectives the rights to use the brand “La Rioja, Biosphere Reserve of the Leza, Jubera, Cidacos and Alhama Valleys”.

In addition, through this project, a market study will be carried out for products and services with the biosphere reserve brand, as well as a management manual for the responsible use of the brand. Advice will also be provided for the implementation of this manual and for the preparation of sustainability reports.

With this initiative, 760 workers will be trained, with more than 11,800 who will participate in the different activities of the project.