Emergency COVID-19 Projects I & II
We have come to the end of the two Emergency Projects carried out in response to the impacts of Covid-19, both seeking to support farmers and small local businesses affected by the closure of the hospitality sector.
During the 14 weeks of the first emergency project, a total of 32.000€ were raised and donated, allowing the purchase of over 20 tonnes of local produce from local farmers who found themselves with large amounts of excess produce due to the closure of the hospitality sector. Food products were then divided into 1,200 boxes and distributed between 140 vulnerable families affected by Covid-19.
In response to the high pressures on social services and other humanitarian organisations, MeP felt the need to develop a second Emergency Project. We joined forces with es Mercat des Claustre, this time supporting primarily small local farmers and businesses selling their produce at es Mercat des Claustre and the Fish Market in Mahon. With the help of the Red Cross, over 520 vouchers worth 40€ each, were distributed between 140 families, to be spent across 9 local market stalls. Overall, 20.800€ were raised and donated over 9 weeks.
We want to give a special thank you to every person involved in this initiative. It has been amazing to see people’s support towards the community, helping in ways that truly make a difference.
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Kilómetros de Plástico por Iris - Iris Competition
Project Iris is an initiative created in honour of Iris Annabel Goldsmith, and aimed at young people aged between 15-18 years old with an interest in the environment or wanting to learn more about it. The goal of the project was to collectively walk 1,000km whilst gathering plastic waste along the way. The teams exceeded our expectations and over 4,000km have now been walked collectively between the 120 participants!
Participants also had the option to take part in the ‘Iris competition’ by creating a 1-minute video answering the question: "What would you do to fight against plastic pollution on your island?"
We received over 50 video submissions between Menorca and Mallorca with inspiring and innovative proposals. The winners were Claudia Robles (Menorca) and Pere Massanet (Mallorca), both videos are linked bellow!
Claudia Robles Video (Menorca)
Pere Massanet Video (Mallorca)
We are thrilled with the number of participants who took part; however, we were surprised to see that the group of young advocates for these environmental causes, appears to be a minority. For this we want to highlight the huge importance of their work and contribution, and urge them to keep pushing towards a cleaner, better and more sustainable planet. Your are our future!
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More Projects Supported
- Radio Far – KM Zero Podcast –A Radio programme giving visibility to environmental issues in Menorca. All episodes of the KM Zero Podcast are available on the Ràdio Far website.
- GOB - Custodia Agraria – last month we signed MeP’s collaboration with the Custodia Agraria programme for the 4rth year running. Find out about the sustainable farming measures planned for 2021 and have a look at our first successful beehive!
- Surf&Clean – Learn through Surfing – MeP has supported this innovative project visiting Menorca for the first time this June. Surf & Clean are introducing surfing in primary school classrooms, as a way to make a cultural switch and to change the relationship between Menorcan students and the sea. The aim is to encourage a transformation in environmental and social perspective, and to create a ‘culture of the sea’.
- TURSIOPS – Moby Mummy – we are SO EXCITED to be supporting this Sperm Whale research study on the north of Menorca with the help of Ocean Beer. Watch a group of Sperm Whales spotted in Menorca by TURSIOPS.
- SOM - Paiños Feeding Areas – SOM are leading a research project to learn about the movements and feeding areas of breading European Paiños in order to then protect the small bird species that breeds on the Isla del Rey. Can you guess how many kilometres they travel to find their food?
- OBSAM – Impacts on Marine Environments – Phase 2 - OBSAM continue to assess possible impacts to marine life, in order to propose measures of protection for marine biodiversity.
- YouSocial - 0 Plastic Menorca Diving Expedition – the second 0 Plastic Menorca Expedition is taking place this June. Check out the actions and schedule here.
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Menorca Needs You
We're working on some very exciting and progressive projects at the moment; however, Menorca needs everyone’s efforts in order to see a truly long-lasting sustainable difference. Here are a few suggestions on how to do your bit for the island:
- Go zero waste app - designed for anyone who cares about the environment and is prepared to make small changes to protect it. Every month there are a number of challenges, of varying difficulty, aimed at reducing our negative footprint on Menorca’s natural beauty. Anyone who completes a challenge is automatically included in the monthly prize draw, with prizes ranging from restaurant vouchers to plastic-free gifts. Download the app here.
- 1€ per Table – MeP’s most recent fundraising initiative is getting off to a good start. We are currently collaborating with Biniarroca, el Romero, Bambú, Latitud 40 and el Faro. We are unbelievably grateful that in this difficult financial time, these local businesses are placing such strong bet on MeP and our mission. If you are a business owner and are interested in helping support environmental projects on the island, please contact us for more information at info@menorcapreservationfund.org
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