EXPERIENCES

What is it?

Batefogo is a social intervention project that proposes to effectively combine fire prevention with an economic and social revitalisation of the rural environment.

What are its objectives?

The basic objectives of the project are: to reduce the number and impact of forest fires, to promote the sustainable use of the forest and the economic revitalisation of the rural environment, to generate a new forest culture, to enhance the heritage and cultural elements of the territory, to promote a participative custody of the territory.

Who is it for?

This initiative is designed to be applied anywhere in our region and is aimed at all types of entities (public administration, mountain communities, etc.) willing to put it into action.

With what methodology?

The Batefogo project aims to involve the local population in the identification and organisation of prevention measures to reduce the number and impact of forest fires, which, at the same time, serve to stimulate the community economically and socially.

So as to involve the local population, it is proposed to develop a working methodology based on combining four processes in parallel:

• Elaborate a study of the territory, which allows us to understand in detail the geographical, historical, socioeconomic, ecological and cultural characteristics at play.
• Promote a participatory process with the aim of assessing the problem of fires and their specific characteristics in the territory, identifying key players, aspects to be taken into account, vulnerable areas, environmental potentialities and opportunities in terms of production and employment generation.
• Develop an environmental education campaign with activities for different audiences that stimulate the community, provide information on relevant aspects of land management and encourage active participation.
• Organise a communication campaign that gives an account of each of the steps being taken to achieve maximum social impact and citizen participation.

Where has it been launched?

This project was put into practice in the Manzaneda City Council between November 2015 and October 2016 and was the result of collaboration with the City Council. Despite the economic difficulties and access to information, it can be said that the results were satisfactory. Good proposals came out of the Neighbourhood Forum, some of which had practical application. This was due to the participation of workers from the forest district in the Forum. They collected ideas and took them forward together with the City Council (for example, the possibility of organising informative talks on burning permits in which part of the permits could also be managed). Due to budgetary constraints, it was not possible to continue the project (working with mountain communities was envisaged). More information can be found here: https://batefogo.wordpress.com/category/manzaneda/

Some time later, the Galician Regional Government contacted the project through the General Directorate of Forestry. After several meetings, it was agreed to develop the project in the region of Barbanza, in the municipalities of Porto do Son, Ribeira, A Pobra do Caramiñal and Boiro. From September 2017 to July 2018, the study of the territory was carried out and could be contrasted with different actors and collectives in the region. When the Government was about to start or work with the residents, they stopped the project and did not get in touch again.

Last update: July 2019