Social Brigades to Conserve the Balearic Coastline

The Balearic coastline, much-loved for its ecological and scenic value, also suffers the consequences of mass tourism, littering and the spread of exotic species. To bring this damage to a halt, the Balearic Government has launched a clean-up and environmental maintenance scheme that operates outside the high season and boosts the conservation of the coastline in protected areas.

The plan will involve recruiting 28 people at risk of social exclusion, spread across seven operational teams. Equipped with vehicles and tools, these brigades work between October and May in natural areas within the Natura 2000 Network and other protected areas. The work includes waste disposal, the removal of invasive plants and occasional work to restore the environment.

The initiative prioritises hard-to-reach areas not covered by local authorities. From 2021 to May 2024, an earlier version of this project saw almost 100 tonnes of waste were collected and more than 30 tonnes of invasive plants were dealt with. The work also helps to improve coastal water quality and preserve key ecological indicators such as Posidonia oceanica (seagrass).

Beyond the environmental benefits, the project offers a direct social impact. The contracts, set aside for special job centres, represent an opportunity for employability in typically quiet months. This arrangement reinforces social cohesion while caring for the natural heritage of the islands.