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, participated today in the presentation of the project “Emprende en verde”, developed by the Bierzo County Council. In this event, which was held in the City of Energy (Ponferrada, León), Ana Leiva was accompanied by the vice president of the Bierzo County Council, Belén Fernández.

The “Emprende en verde” project is part of the Empleaverde Program and has a budget of 428,670.80 euros, of which 80% is provided by the European Social Fund; 19.37% by the Regional Council and the rest by collaborating entities, such as the Regulatory Councils of the Designation of Origin of the Reineta Apple and the Conference Pear; the Association of Rural Tourism Promoters (ASPROTUR); the Regulatory Council of the Bierzo Designation of Origin; and the Regional Public Energy Entity of Castilla y León (EREN).

The objective of the project to be carried out by the Bierzo County Council is to develop business initiatives in the environmental sector of the region, including workers in the agricultural and livestock sectors, the agri-food processing industry and tourism. In addition, it will include advisory actions related to energy saving and efficiency processes in companies and business projects in the environmental sector.

Thus, it aims to promote the creation of companies in the environmental sector; encourage companies to apply sustainability criteria in the development of economic activity; and job creation. To this end, different actions will be carried out, such as the preparation of a study on business opportunities in the environmental sector and a study on energy efficiency. In addition, four courses will be taught on business opportunities in the environmental sector; one ecotourism course and three courses for the dissemination of good agricultural, cultural and environmental practices. Advice will also be provided to environmental projects and travelling seminars will be held to promote a culture of sustainability among the target audiences. It also includes the publication of a magazine on content of environmental interest and the creation of a website on business sustainability.

This project is aimed at workers in SMEs, the self-employed, the agricultural regime and liberal professions, among which priority will be given to those who are either workers in the environmental sector, or belong to disadvantaged groups (women, immigrants, people over 45 years of age, low-skilled workers), or are workers in depopulated areas, rural areas, protected areas and biosphere reserves.