EMPODERA
EMPODERA (Green Employment and Women Promoting Opportunities in Rural and Environmental Development, in Spanish) is an educational, socio-environmental initiative for the acquisition or improvement of skills for the ecological transition, within the framework of the Empleaverde+ Program.
The project's objective is to improve skills for green employment in the context of Climate Change Adaptation, with an inclusive approach to rural municipalities at risk of depopulation. EMPODERA promotes women entrepreneurs as role models in this sector, fostering their skills and transformative capacity in rural communities.
SPECIFIC GOALS
Skills for university workers
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Training focused on sectors such as communication, education, and community outreach.
Training in green sectors
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Acquisition of green skills and knowledge among residents of rural municipalities for the agricultural, gardening, and reforestation sectors.
Empowerment
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Improving the skills and capabilities of women workers in green sectors, acting as role models.
Communities of practice
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Creation of collaborative networks focused on women's entrepreneurship in green sectors.
Accompaniment and mentoring
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Personalized support for people who want to advance and deepen their green jobs in rural areas.
LOCATION
The project is primarily implemented in three rural regions at high risk of depopulation. In addition, participants from any other region are welcome to participate, provided they meet the defined participant profile and come from a rural location, thus expanding the project's reach and diversity.
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Alto Palencia y Alto Mijares (Castellón)
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Ribera del Duero Burgalesa (Burgos)
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Guadalhorce (Málaga)
MAIN ACTIVITIES
EMPODERA is carrying out 15 training sessions through two specific training courses and three cross-cutting modules.
1. Training Actions
Five training activities will be held in each of Spain's three rural regions, with a total of 15 training sessions. A total of 260 participants will improve their skills during the training, more than 50% of whom will be women. There are two types of training:
Professionals with higher education:
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Communication, awareness-raising, and sustainable education.
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Ecological restoration and nature-based solutions.
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Climate change adaptation criteria for technicians and policymakers.
Agricultural and environmental workers:
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Sustainable and regenerative agriculture.
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Renaturalization techniques and local ecosystem enhancement.
Cross-curricular modules:
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Gender equality.
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Soft skills and green competencies.
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Digital tools.
2. Communities of practice
EMPODERA Platform: We are creating a digital space to exchange experiences, access educational resources, and foster networking.
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Virtual Sessions: We organized two events with active participation of 100 people, including discussions in thematic breakout rooms.​
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National Meeting: We planned an in-person event to strengthen networks and promote collaboration, with rural women as key figures.
3. Accompaniment and Mentoring
Personalized mentoring program:
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We are supporting 15 participants with intensive advice from experienced mentors.
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We offer 240 hours of mentoring: with multiplier actions in communication, education, and community engagement.
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Specialized online seminars: Two in-depth sessions on sustainability communication.
IMPACT
EMPODERA is generating a real and tangible impact in rural communities, promoting the ecological transition and strengthening women's leadership:
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Female empowerment: We promote gender equality and the visibility of women leaders in green sectors.
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Skills enhancement: We offer specific and transversal skills for green employment tailored to Climate Change Adaptation.
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Collaboration networks: We strengthen synergies between rural regions and key players in the green sector.
With the support of the Biodiversity Foundation and the European Social Fund Plus, EMPODERA is already making progress in creating an inclusive and sustainable model for rural communities in Spain. This project transforms the lives of its participants, promoting the ecological transition and fostering resilient and equitable rural development.
"This project is being developed in collaboration with the Biodiversity Foundation and the Ministry for Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge, through the Empleaverde+ Program, and is co-financed by the European Union through the ESF+ (European Social Fund Plus)."