The ESF and the Environment: the Spanish experience

Sonia CastañedaFundación Biodiversidad

Workshop The ESF and the Environment: learning from the past, building for the futureBrussels, October 8th, 2008

Who we are and in which context we move.

Our experience in the management of ESF during 2000-2006. (how we did and do things): results and examples.

Lessons learned and future challenges.

Overview

The Biodiversity Foundation (BF) was created in 1998 by the Spanish Ministry of Environment.

It is a non-profit organization whose activities are focused on nature, conservation, sustainable use of biodiversity and international cooperation.

The Board of Governors is formed by the Ministry of the Environment, Rural and Marine Affairs, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and the National Parks Authority, among others.

Who we are

In which context we move:

Environmental issues are integrated in ESF as an horizontal priority.

An example of this approach in Spain is The Environmental Awareness Module: designed by the environmental authorities for its use in occupational training courses co-funded by ESF.

The BF is one of the many institutions managing ESF, but for us, the environment is the key issue in ESF projects because we are entirely focus on environmental and sustainability issues.

That workers and business become key actors in the

improvement of environment and sustainable development

Managing ESF since 2000

That environment and sustainability become the base for better jobs and

more competitive business

To link employment policies and environmental policies with a double target:

The Operational Programme on Business Initiative and Permanent Training.

From 2000 to 2006 we were involved in

The Operational Programme on Adaptability and Employment

During 2007-2013 we will be managing

Our role is

Our goals

Stimulate

the starting up of enterprises in the environmental sector.

increase

skills and cualificationsof workers in environmental and

sustainability matters.

Promote and improve

employmentin general and in the environmental

sector in particular.

Foster

modernisation of enterprises and activity sectors.

Adapt

economic activities to environmental regulation.

Encourage sustainability

of economic activities.

Target groups

Workers and managers of SMEs.

Self-employed workers.

Liberal professionals: lawyers, economists, journalists, etc.

Agricultural workers: farmers, shepherds,forest rangers, etc.

Education professionals: elementary, primary, secondary, etc.

Priority to:

Disadvantaged colectives: handicapped, women, immigrants, people over the age of 45, and minimally qualified workers.

Location: depopulated, rural and protected areas and Biosphere Reserves.

Workers in the environmental sector.

Traning courses

Seminars and Congresses

Awards and Contests

Information and communication campaigns

Studies, methodologies and guides

Personalized advice to SMEs (telephonic, on-line, itinerant)

Observatories

Any other action that allows to reach the aims

Activities to develop:

During 2000-2006

we managed

98.000.000 €

The goal was to

Improve training and environmental awareness of workers.

8 Calls for proposals were decided on and 285 Collaboration Agreements were signed.

More than 7.000 activities were carried out.

More than 2 mill people have participated in the projects, of which:

48% are women. 31% are self-employed workers. 50% belong to disadvantaged groups

We work with

16%

10%

40%

15%

19%Public Administration

Chambers of Commerce

Business and labor

union sector

Foundations and NGOs

Academic sector

And there area different sectors involved. Such as:

Energy. Footwear. Tourism. Technological. Forestry and agriculture. Fishing.

Several kind of activities weredeveloped

More than 3.300 courses with over 100.000 Participants.

1.000 Conferences and seminars; more than 300 studies and 700 informative materials.

More than 500 good practices guides

Over 200 environmental observatories and

e-learning platformes and web pages

The Castilla y León Natural Heritage Foundation

Labor Union Institute of Work, Environment and Health

Some examples of projects and results

Developed in 2006 by The Castilla y León Natural Heritage Foundation.

With a budget of 349.650€ they reached 17.000 people.

Goals: To promote the integration of sustainable development in business developed in protected areas and to increase training and awareness in business and employees.

Results1 Study on employment and the socioeconomic impact of Natura 2000 sites, 2 Good Practices Manuals, 6 Courses, 15 Seminars and a website.

Conclusions:The protected areas are a changing place with oportunities to undertake new businesses.

They are a market niche based on the production of differentiated goods and services.

There is a growing demand of organic products and rural holidays.

- Eco-friendly tourism: 26% sustained economic growth.

- Organic agriculture: 25% annual economic growth in EU.

Project: “Sustainability & Employment in Protected Areas”

Developed in 2006 by the Labor Union Institute of Work, Environment and Health.

With a budget of 744.545,19 € they reached 39.500 people.

Goals To promote the participation of workers in the improvement of SMEs environmental behavior.

Project: “Enviromental training for SME workers”

Study: Employment in Spain in the SMEs renewable energies sector

Conclusions:-Business driving force in Spain (rather than any other Business driving force in Spain (rather than any other European country, but Germany) European country, but Germany)

-There are 700 companies in SpainThere are 700 companies in Spain

-25% with less than 25 employees-25% with less than 25 employees

-Only 3,8 % having over 500 employees-Only 3,8 % having over 500 employees

- This sector has generated 95.000 jobs in the last years - This sector has generated 95.000 jobs in the last years (20.000 directly and 75.000 induced)(20.000 directly and 75.000 induced)

- By 2010 - By 2010

-APPA: 200.000 new jobs -APPA: 200.000 new jobs

-CER: 265.000 new jobs-CER: 265.000 new jobs

Lessons learned

Difficulties in attracting new stakeholders to run the projects (Objective 3, new stakeholders)

Difficulties in attracting students to courses due to excessive offer and scanty practical perspective.

Increasing interest in environmental issues.

Who

What

Many projects or activities were quite similar. Unconnected activities and with no innovation. Lack of continuity and poor results after the funding finished. Focused on specific issues and collectives.

How Difficulties in the administrative and financial management of the projects (contract procedures).

Future challenges

We need to empower communication in order to reach more stakeholders (and more diverse) to develop the projects. Reaching new beneficiaries (rural areas, protected areas, Biosphere Reserves).

Who

What

Occupational training needs to be more qualified and practical (“a learning-action scheme”). We look for projects with a more integrated approach (results in the “3 e”). Sustainable projects.

Intense monitoring of the projects.

“employ-green”. How

To integrate environmental and sustainability issues in the management of SMEs and economic activities.

To foster entrepreneurism in the environmental sector.

Thank you very much

For more information

International Department

www.fundacion-biodiversidad.es

scastaneda@fundacion-biodiversidad.es