The objective of the project is to improve the technical and environmental quality of the dehesa productions, with the consequent improvement of the market for its products. The dehesa is an ecosystem of exceptional value, both in terms of fauna and flora. For its maintenance, human action is necessary, since silvicultural and livestock actions allow the dehesa to be maintained as such, so that it does not change to another type of more closed forest or face the risk of fires.

The objective of the project is to improve the technical and environmental quality of the dehesa productions, with the consequent improvement of the market for its products. The dehesa is an ecosystem of exceptional value, both in terms of fauna and flora. For its maintenance, human action is necessary, since silvicultural and livestock actions allow the dehesa to be maintained as such, so that it does not change to another type of more closed forest or face the risk of fires.

This project is organised into two blocks that improve the conditions of the farms in the pasture:

– Courses for the training of workers in traditional and modern cork extraction techniques, expanding their field of work, and promoting that it is carried out according to the most demanding environmental and social criteria. These courses will be eminently practical, with the uncorking of cork oaks by experts and students.

– Two information days on the existing certification systems, their characteristics and their suitability as a tool for the revaluation of the products of the dehesa, which will also serve to identify the main obstacles to achieving these certifications by owners and industrialists. Likewise, a study, a guide, and remote advice will be carried out aimed at owners, industrialists and entrepreneurs, with the aim of promoting, adapting and facilitating the certification systems of the products of the pasture.

The recipients of the training actions are mainly young people and other rural workers who are temporarily employed in agricultural work, and who have lost their main source of employment in sectors heavily affected by the economic crisis, such as construction. These workers are, for the most part, self-employed under the agricultural regime or hired by SMEs in the agricultural and forestry sector. As for the non-training actions, the recipients are owners and entrepreneurs of the pasture, as well as workers of owners’ associations, workers of environmental and forestry consulting companies, self-employed people interested in exercising consultancy related to certification systems, those responsible for quality, purchases and sales of cork companies.

The project is expected to provide training to 60 target audiences, although the project will reach a total of 1,070 workers. Likewise, the creation and/or reconversion of 3 companies related to the products of the dehesa is expected.

The initiative has the support of the Association to Promote the Rational Use of Forest Products and Services (FSC Spain), DIAM Corchos and the Forum for the Defense and Conservation of the Dehesa (ENCINAL) as collaborating entities.