Tenerife - June 10, 2024
The initiative VESTA Envera was the winner of the VI BBVA Sustainable Future Solidarity Call for Proposals promoted by BBVA Asset Management, which on Monday announced the solidarity projects recognized in this edition of the awards that were created six years ago to recognize solidarity projects that seek to leave a positive impact on society and the environment.
Envera - AsociaciĂłn de Empleados de Iberia Padres de Personas con Discapacidad, launched the VESTA Envera Project in response to the natural disaster caused by a fire in Tenerife, which devastated nearly 15,000 hectares in some municipalities of the island. The aim of this initiative is the recovery of burned agricultural land - specifically in La Orotava, one of the most affected areas - through the training and employment of people with disabilities.
Through training actions aimed at people with disabilities in land reclamation, Envera not only contributes to environmental restoration, but also has a solidary and inclusive approach. Among all the actions contemplated in the project is the production of natural soaps using the ashes of the fire, which not only contributes to the environment, but also generates job opportunities. In addition, these soaps will be donated to charities, reinforcing the solidarity component of the project.
The 35,000 euros of BBVA AM's donation will be used to cover the costs of hiring teachers, scholarships for the participants, the purchase of farming equipment and the materials needed to make the soaps.
The project will directly benefit eight people with disabilities, who will receive specific training and, subsequently, will be able to access employment related to recovery work.
Indirectly, it will also benefit the local community by restoring agricultural land and donating by-products. This comprehensive approach not only seeks to mitigate the damage caused by the natural disaster, but also to provide a means of training and improving employability for a group of people who often do not have many opportunities in the labor market.
In this way, the project contributes to labor inclusion and the prevention of future fires through all the soil recovery works and the creation of fire walls.