TITLE: Eco-Green. Eco-management of green spaces and natural areas for agricultural and tourist use.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the project is to train unemployed people in the efficient and sustainable use of natural resources of soil and water in agriculture and tourism, providing competencies in new green skills demanded by the sector for the transition to a low carbon economy.

TOPICS: The project addresses various topics, such as sustainable agriculture and tourism, efficient water management, energy savings and efficiency, and combating soil erosion.

DESCRIPTION: Eco-Green. Eco management of green spaces and natural areas for agricultural and tourist use, will be developed in Murcia and Andalusia (Almeria). The priority territory for action is the Alto Guadalentín region (Puerto Lumbreras, Lorca and Águilas) in the southeast of Murcia, and the bordering regions in the east and north of the province of Almería: Cuenca del Almanzora and Levante Almeriense. These areas, although belonging to different Autonomous Communities, form a single natural region sharing the same environmental, social and economic problems and important natural resources, among which the Cabezo de la Jara (Natura 2000 Area) stands out. The fundamental problem is the high soil erosion and large water deficit caused by an extreme semi-arid climate and inadequate practices in the basic sectors of the economy: agriculture and tourism. It has the highest aridity in Europe (a precursor to desert) and is among the regions most vulnerable to climate change. In this area, erosion processes have been devastating for biodiversity due to several local factors:

1. Severe and long droughts with intense rains that frequently cause flooding.

2. Livestock practices and agricultural uses (terraces – greenhouses) have favored the acceleration of water erosion processes.

3. Agriculture depends on the Negratín and Tajo Segura water transfers, and its supply is not guaranteed.