The project aims to promote the creation of blue economy companies by training and improving the entrepreneurial skills of people participating in innovative methods of restoring the marine environment, especially in coral restoration.

The theme of the project is sustainable aquaculture and fisheries.

Through #Restaura CORAL Spain, the Eleven team works on the implementation of pioneering programs that contribute to curbing climate change and generating quality employment through blue entrepreneurship and the restoration of the marine environment. #Restaura CORAL Spain contributes to positioning Spain at the forefront, as a benchmark in sustainable development and a promoter of innovative models to contribute to the ecological transition and the restoration of ecosystems.

Spanish coral reefs are coral colonies spread throughout the Spanish maritime territory. Spain is one of the first European countries in terms of marine biodiversity. There are currently more than 200 species of corals in the Mediterranean and in Galicia there is a Bank about 260 km west of Vigo with a significant concentration of Lophelia or commonly called cold-water corals. This type of corals form very fragile and branched colonies, which generate oxygen, clean the waters and enhance marine biodiversity due to their association with the life cycle of many marine organisms. Coral can live more than 100 years and grows between 3 and 5 mm per year and is a fundamental tool to provide real solutions to climate change and care for the planet.

Through #Restaura Coral we want to respond to the following environmental and social problems:

– Coastal erosion.

– Climate change, specifically, increase in temperature in marine ecosystems.

– Loss of ecosystems and marine biodiversity.

-Air pollution

The objectives set #RESTAURA CORAL Spain are:

-Reduce coastal erosion and air pollution through coral recovery initiatives.

-Promote the conservation of marine ecosystems and biodiversity

-Promote job opportunities for groups at risk of social exclusion such as people with functional diversity and young people under 35 years of age, through blue business models that have a positive impact on the conservation and recovery of marine ecosystems.

The percentage of participation of women in the project will be 50%, while the percentage of participation of other priority groups (sum of the rest of the groups except women) will be 50%. The percentage of recipients who will create a company is 10%.

The project has an impact on the Natura 2000 Network. Executed in ITI Cadiz and ITI Jaen.