The “ATA Eco-verde” project seeks to develop and promote business and economic models for the green development of micro-SMEs and self-employed workers, based on the eco-innovation of products and services and the eco-efficiency of business processes.

The “ATA Eco-verde” project seeks to develop and promote business and economic models for the green development of micro-SMEs and self-employed workers, based on the eco-innovation of products and services and the eco-efficiency of business processes.

These objectives will be achieved through actions to raise awareness of the need to integrate the environment into the company, training that, in addition to allowing a reduction in environmental impacts and the efficient use of resources, will save the company resources, obtain added value and the possibility of competing in new markets.

Other benefits will be awareness of the need for a transition to a green economy in a collaborative way and the creation of companies based on new innovative financial and business models, in a green investment scenario. This would mean solid economic growth and a reduction in environmental impact.

The initiative therefore focuses on three important objectives:

• Reduction of environmental impact through eco-innovation of products and business processes and technologies, a positive (or less aggressive) impact of economic activities on climate change.
• Creation of companies within the framework of the green economy.
• Recognition of the role of human and natural capital, understanding it as social equity in the generation of employment and the sustainable use of natural resources.

Although in general the initiative is multisectoral in nature, several sectors have been identified in which to act as a priority: agriculture, livestock, forestry, industry, recycling, services and tourism.

The recipients will be self-employed workers in rural areas of Andalusia, Castilla-La Mancha and Extremadura, especially in areas subject to depopulation and rural areas, who require actions that allow sustainable local development based on eco-innovation and the introduction of a green economy.

The expected results are:

• Training of 90 recipients, although the project will reach a total of 3,835 workers.
• Creation and/or conversion of four agricultural holdings to organic farming.
• Creation of two companies in the eco-tourism sector.
• Increased efficiency and energy savings in the self-employed.