Potential for Green Jobs
Potential for green jobs along the European Green Belt
Since 2021, the BESTbelt project aims at unlocking local potential and strengthening local capacities in countries along the European Green Belt. A key project goal is to foster regional employment opportunities and promote green jobs in the conservation and sustainability sector.
The European Green Belt - an opportunity for green jobs
The European Green Belt is characterized by a great number of natural treasures. Despite their ecological and cultural value, many areas along the European Green Belt are facing poor socio-economic conditions with insufficient employment. Moreover, an adequate valorisation of habitats and their ecosystem services in financial terms is often missing.
As a starting point for further action, a comprehensive analysis of the potential for sustainable jobs along the European Green Belt was carried out in 2022 and 2023. The final report of the analysis, prepared by Trinomics, assessed the status quo, current opportunities, future potential and practical recommendations on how to promote the creation of green jobs along the European Green Belt.
First results
Initial findings show that the development and maintenance of sustainable tourism and nature tourism has the potential to create green jobs in the regions along the European Green Belt. In addition, the expansion of protected areas or rarely implemented habitat restoration measures along the European Green Belt is an important tool for improving ecological connectivity and creating sustainable and green jobs. In addition, restoration can help mitigate and adapt to climate change, reduce the risk of natural disasters, purify air and water and provide freshwater. Agriculture, forestry and related industries can also provide green jobs.
Download the full report and learn about best practices, future potential, and starting points to initiate green jobs along the European Green Belt.
Case study: Promoting green jobs along the Bulgarian Green Belt
As a second step, a case study assessed the potential for green jobs along the Europea Green Belt in Bulgaria. In three regions - namely the Strandzha Mountains, the Western Stara Planina Mountains, and the Belasitsa Mountains - interviews were conducted with local stakeholders and local forums organized to discuss regional challenges and potentials for green jobs. Based on the practical findings and a desk research on socio-economic factors, the case study findings, together with developed recommendations, were presented at the national level.
The case study identifies a number of specific and common challenges facing the three regions, such as regional economy, demographic pressures or a lack of coordinated marketing. In turn, it identifies sectors with high potential for green job creation, such as sustainable manufacturing and sustainable tourism, and makes a number of recommendations on the changes that need to be made to realise this potential.
Download the full case study or focus on the developed recommendations.