AMICOS (Spain)
AMICOS is a non-profit organisation that works with and for people with intellectual disabilities and their families.
Founded in Spain in 2000, AMICOS’ purpose is to contribute to the full inclusion and active participation of each person in the community. The organisation provides daily support for more than 800 people throughout their lifetime, from early childhood to adulthood, providing adapted care, education, training and employability support.
AMICOS implements innovative projects to contribute to sustainable rural development, getting people with disabilities involved in ecosystems protection activities, sea conservation, and reforestation programmes. AMICOS’ vision is to help drive a more inclusive and sustainable society where people with disabilities can be active participants in changemaking.
In 2022/2023, the Eurofins Foundation supported the project AMICOS Sea Care, an environmental project led by people with intellectual disabilities.
Their objective is the preservation of the marine biodiversity in Galicia (North-West Spain), primarily targeting the Marine Protected Areas in the Natura 2000 network, which represents 8.8% of the region.
AMICOS SEA CARE aims to protect marine ecosystems through marine waste collection, treatment and prevention. The project promotes the active participation and collaboration of fishing organisations, local schools, companies and visitors in the natural areas targeted.
The Eurofins Foundation directly permitted:
- 20 beach and coast clean-up sessions have been carried out with 11,200 children an 460 kilos of waste collected ;
- 50 fishermen evaluated and supported about on-board waste management good practices and received a portable container ;
- The realisation of a report with improvement proposals
In total, more than 885 kilos of waste were collected from the seas and beaches (of which, 75 % were plastic waste). AMICOS has conducted 30 awareness-raising sessions in local schools on ocean protection and recycling through games and art. Ten people living with intellectual disabilities have been trained as nature and environmental protection guides (280 hours of theoretical training and practical on-the-job training). In addition, more than 500 visitors participated in awareness-sessions about marine waste prevention in natural sites as ports and beaches.
These projects contribute to the following United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals
