Line of action:

Terrestrial ecosystems

Status:

En ejecución

Execution date:

2025

End date:

2026

Project web page:

https://realimenta.org/

The general objective of the project is to train, advise and accompany in the management of municipal biowaste, decentralized composting and sustainable nutrition of agricultural soils.

The project focuses on initial training on organic waste management and circular economy aimed at local entities. This training aims to train the workers of these entities in techniques and practices that allow them to efficiently manage organic waste of different origin (agricultural, food, domestic, livestock). In doing so, it will promote the adoption of a circular economy approach that minimises waste and maximises the reuse of resources. This approach will not only improve environmental sustainability, but can also generate significant savings in waste management costs and open up new business opportunities in the region.

At the same time, a similar initial training will be developed specifically aimed at livestock farms. This sector can benefit greatly from adopting sustainable waste management practices. The training will provide farmers with the tools and knowledge needed to implement composting systems and other waste management techniques, which will contribute to reducing their environmental footprint and improving the quality of their products. At the same time, negative environmental impacts of the incorrect management of this type of waste that currently occur will be avoided. The training will address specific aspects of the circular economy applicable to the livestock sector, promoting economic diversification and the creation of new sources of income.

Similar initial training will also be offered for the fruit and vegetable sector. This sector also faces significant challenges related to sustainability. The training will provide fruit and vegetable producers with the knowledge and skills needed to effectively manage their organic waste, improve soil fertility and reduce reliance on external inputs such as chemical fertilisers. By promoting more sustainable agricultural practices, this training will contribute to improving the competitiveness and long-term sustainability of the fruit and vegetable sector in the Community of Madrid.

In addition to the initial training, the project includes individualized support and advice actions for each of the projects that decide to implement organic waste management so that they can have technical and institutional support to legally and technically develop the composting/agrocomposting project, with each project being able to choose up to 20 individualized mixed accompaniments.

Madrid Realimenta also includes advanced training in composting facilities for different organic streams. This training is designed for those professionals who already have basic knowledge in waste management or who have developed it through the project and wish to delve into more advanced composting techniques. Participants will learn how to manage different types of organic waste, from agricultural waste to livestock and food industry waste, and how to optimize the composting process to obtain high-quality compost. This advanced training will be crucial to develop specialized technical capabilities in the region and improve the efficiency and effectiveness of existing and future composting facilities. In addition, the training practices given at the El Encín Composting Pilot Plant can be completed.

To complement the advanced training, individualized advice will be offered in composting facilities. This advice will provide professionals with personalized support to implement and improve their composting systems. The technical team will work directly with participants to identify best practices and solutions tailored to their specific needs, ensuring they can maximize the efficiency and sustainability of their composting operations.

Another important action of the project is process advice, which includes soil analysis, applications and monitoring of composting once the composting project has started (indicators of enzymatic activity, soil health, organic matter…). This technical advice will be essential to ensure that professionals can carry out high-quality composting and apply compost effectively on their agricultural land. Soil analytics will provide crucial information about soil needs and conditions, allowing farmers to adjust their composting and composting practices for the best possible results.

The project also includes pre-design of facilities and pre-economic feasibility analysis of investments in composting infrastructure to help participants plan and develop new composting facilities efficiently and sustainably. They will work with participants to design facilities that are tailored to their specific needs and resources, and carry out economic feasibility analyses to ensure that investments are cost-effective and sustainable in the long term.

Finally, the project will promote mediation in agreements between local entities and professionals in the first sector. This mediation will be crucial to foster collaboration and synergies between different actors in the region, facilitating the implementation of circular economy practices and sustainable waste management on a broader scale. By promoting agreements and collaborations, the project will contribute to creating a support and cooperation network that will strengthen the sustainability and resilience of the agricultural and fruit and vegetable sector in the Community of Madrid.

The project proposes a series of comprehensive and coordinated actions to address the needs for training and advice on organic waste management and circular economy in the Community of Madrid. Through initial and advanced training, technical and economic advice, and the promotion of collaborations and synergies, the project seeks to improve the environmental and economic sustainability of the agricultural and fruit and vegetable sector, while creating new green employment opportunities. One of the main expected results is to put municipal entities and the agricultural, food and livestock sectors in dialogue, with the intermediation of the Madrid Institute for Rural, Agricultural and Food Research and Development (IMIDRA), living labs, etc., as well as to position composting as a ‘nature-based solution’ (NBS) that generates qualified ‘green jobs’ and guarantees a ‘transformative’ ecological transition. aligned with the European Green Deal.