OBJECTIVE: The objective of the project is to create eco/green jobs and/or improve employability in production, distribution and sale of organic products from different economic sectors operating in Biosphere Reserves in Galicia, Asturias and Extremadura through specialized training.

THEME: The theme of the project will be the production, distribution and/or sale of organic products.

DESCRIPTION: Green jobs help the sustainable development of territories. They consume less energy and natural resources, which has a positive impact on the environment, the economy and therefore on society. These jobs are growing significantly in Spain, expanding and generating great business opportunities. In addition, society’s demand for more environmentally friendly products and services as well as sustainable operational and production processes, i.e. green and responsible consumption, is on the rise.

The European Union’s Europe 2020 strategy for growth and employment recognizes the importance of the transition to a green and resource-efficient economy in order to achieve smart, sustainable and inclusive growth, and to this end it is essential to consider all dimensions (production, storage, distribution, processing, marketing, consumption, etc.) and all aspects (environmental, social and economic) together. According to the European Parliament Report on the Green Jobs Initiative: Harnessing the job creation potential of the green economy, a transition to sustainable societies and economies, with equally sustainable consumption and production patterns, can generate opportunities to create new quality jobs and transform existing employment into green employment in virtually all sectors and along the entire value chain.

For this project we have considered working with organic (eco) products because of their multiple benefits; among them, they are 100% natural, they are not treated with pesticides, chemical additives, hormones and/or antibiotics, the raw materials, the elaboration process, packaging and labeling are subject to special control and inspection to guarantee maximum reliability and quality in addition to going through certification processes; origin and authenticity are guaranteed. They are respectful of animals and the environment, make rational use of resources, and generate decent jobs, contributing to the development and dynamization of the territory. It is also important to remember the role of education as a driver of human development and economic, social and environmental sustainability. In the 2030 Agenda, it is an essential Sustainable Development Goal (SDG 4). Target 4.4 of SDG4 is to significantly increase the number of young people and adults who have the necessary skills, particularly technical and vocational, to access employment, decent work and entrepreneurship by 2030, while paragraph 7 aims to ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development, through education for sustainable development and sustainable lifestyles, [] and the contribution of culture to sustainable development. In terms of employment, the most recent (last quarter of 2017) labor force data provided by the National Statistics Institute (INE) indicate that the national unemployment rate was 16.55%, and although Galicia and Asturias have at that date a somewhat lower rate, although still high, (14.71% and 14.64%, respectively) Extremadura stands out in this case, with 25.12% unemployment, placing it as the 2nd Autonomous Community with the highest unemployment rate. And in all three Communities, unemployment is higher among women, with Extremadura having more than 30% of active women unemployed compared to 21% of men in this Community.

For all these reasons ECOBIOS- Biosphere Reserves is designed for eco-products whose main objective is to generate eco/green and sustainable jobs -socially, economically and environmentally- and/or improve employability in production, distribution and sale of organic products from a wide range of economic sectors that are linked to and/or have an impact on the Biosphere Reserves (BR) of Mariñas Coruñesas e Terras do Mandeo in Galicia, Río Eo, Oscos and Tierras de Burón in Asturias and Monfragüe in Extremadura, which support this project, through innovative, specialized training, adapted to each territory. It is an inclusive project that brings together several SDGs, in particular SDG2, which deals with food security and sustainable agriculture, SDG4 (inclusive and equitable quality education […]), SDG8 (sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all) and Goal 12 (sustainable consumption and production through sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources).

The specific objectives are:

1) Promote the participation of the private sector in these territories and establish a link between companies and project beneficiaries to promote the creation of green, quality, dignified and sustainable jobs over time.

2) To improve the knowledge of production, distribution and market of organic food and products in these territories through specialized and adapted training.

3) To provide quality and inclusive training, especially for priority groups.

4) Incorporate information and communication technologies (ICT) in training activities.

5) To increase the number of people with the necessary skills to access employment related to eco-products and to increase the number of people with the necessary skills to access employment related to eco-products.

6) Guarantee a minimum employability of 10% of the people targeted by ECOBIOS actions in sectors related to organic products.