Towards green jobs: Opportunities in the green, Spain, Sueca, 18 June 2025
- Tessy Melidi
- Jun 30
- 3 min read
On 18th of June, 2025 The Mancomunitat de la Ribera Baixa successfully hosted the second in-situ international meeting of the "Green Cities - Active Cities" project, focusing on the critical role of sustainable development and green employment in ecological transition. The conference, titled "Towards Green Jobs: Opportunities in the Green Venue," gathered participants at the Albufera Natural Park, to discuss and strategize for a greener and more equitable future.
Jordi Sanjaime i Vivó, Mayor of Mareny de les Barraquetes, opened the event by emphasizing the local commitment to sustainability, stating that the project embodies the desired future for their towns and Europe: "a just ecological transition, with people at the center".
Rafael Gisbert Aragó, President of the Mancomunitat de la Ribera Baixa, reinforced this vision, highlighting that green employability is a powerful tool to tackle, the environmental crisis, social inequality and democratic disaffection. “Because when we offer jobs, we offer a future".
Carmen Peris González, Coordinator of the ADC department, provided a comprehensive overview of green employment across Spain and Europe, detailing key sectors such as energy, industry, tourism, and design, and identifying in-demand roles like specialized consultants, farmers, and waste management technicians. She underscored the essential nature of citizen participation in fostering a sustainable, inclusive, and resilient economy, asserting that green jobs are vital for the planet's future.
Marta Romero Chafer, Communication Technician of the Mancomunitat de la Ribera Alta, introduced the EMPLEAXÚQUER project, promoted by the Consorci de la Ribera and the Limne Foundation. This initiative aims to enhance the skills of unemployed individuals in La Ribera for roles in the restoration, conservation, and promotion of the Xúquer river ecosystem. The project combines employment opportunities for vulnerable groups with direct environmental actions, strengthening regional resilience against climate change and promoting citizen engagement in river management.
Following this, Amparo Castelló and Estela Sala, marketing technicians for the Territorial Pact for Employment in the Ribera (PATER), presented the PAS project (Point of Attention and Support). This initiative facilitates digital and sustainable transformation for businesses, freelancers, SMEs, cooperatives, and entrepreneurs in the Ribera del Xúquer, and provides personalized advice, training, and mentoring to boost employment in sustainable sectors.
Lara Juan Morant, Environmental Education Technician for the Mancomunitat, elaborated on her department's efforts, highlighting environmental education as a crucial tool to address challenges like climate change, deforestation, and biodiversity loss. She showcased ongoing projects and discussed future improvements, concluding that environmental education fosters employment, resilience, innovation, and social justice.
Tessy Melidi, Project Coordinator, introduced a newly developed online interactive tool designed to help users find funding information for green transition projects. She highlighted the LIFE programme, as a significant European fund supporting environmental protection projects since 1992, with a budget of €5.4 billion for 2021-2027.
The conference also featured an interactive Kahoot quiz on environmental topics, that created a competitive yet fun atmosphere among project partners, with Slovenia's ZMOS emerging as the winner.
María Martínez, the Mancomunitat's Youth Technician, concluded the event by summarizing the key takeaways:
the importance of an integrated approach to sustainable development,
the promotion of green employment and digital transition,
the restoration of the Júcar ecosystem, and
the vital role of environmental education.
She underscored the significance of citizen participation, inter-institutional collaboration, and European funding (especially the LIFE programme) in building a resilient and environmentally friendly future.
The day concluded with attendees enjoying a meal at the Sucrer restaurant and a boat trip through the Albufera of Valencia, appreciating the natural beauty and ecological importance of the area. Later, participants enjoyed a dinner in Cullera at the Cientochenta Restaurant with a traditional dance group and a panoramic view.
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