Vanessa Parellada, head of the CiF Office of Social Welfare, attended a presentation on generating employment opportunities that was hosted by the Govern Balear's labour minister, Iago Negueruela, today at the Eivissa Council. The event, which was also organised by the director general of the regional employment bureau, Pere Torrens, and Eivissa's labour councillor Viviana de Sans.

The Palma government officials explained the plan stood to create work for some 182 jobless individuals in the Pitiüsa islands via programmes at the town and island council level. Estimates put new jobs created on Formentera at roughly 28, with potential investment on the island reaching 86,000 euros.

The CiF social welfare councillor urged the Govern reps to ensure those plans are in tune with the local situation on Formentera, so that “they benefit unemployed Formentera residents too”. Parellada pointed out that the Formentera labour force is different to those of the other Balearic Islands and asked consideration be given to each island's idiosyncrasies. She suggested that job programmes be scheduled for winter, or that projects that exceed six months be split into two phases “given the seasonal nature of Formentera's job force”.

Under the programme proposed by the Govern there would be three possible employment schemes, one, for unemployed individuals under 29, offering training for positions at local corporations. Another programme proposes separate training and hiring measures for people over 30. Lastly, Visibles is aimed at benefit-strapped residents that are over 45 and have got dependants to their name.

Today, June 28, World Lesbian, Gay, Transgender, Bisexual and Intersex (LGTBI) Pride Day, a  rainbow flag —a symbol of pride for LGTBI movements— was hung from the balcony of the Formentera Council. The flag presented a public symbol of the administration's commitment to those communities. The decision to raise the flag —“a call for respect and visibility for sexual and gender diversity”— came on the back of a joint measure put forward by Gent per Formentera and the socialist party at the CiF plenary session Friday, June 24.

Additionally, Formentera has joined a network of public administrations dubbed Municipis Orgullosos which support LGTBI causes. The push is being fronted by Ben Amics, an Balearic Islands-based association that mobilises around LGTBI issues. The CiF's councillor from the socialist party, Rafael Ramírez, along with social welfare councillor Vanessa Parellada and vice-president Alejandra Ferrer, were all three present has the flag was raised.

Jaume Ferrer, president of the Formentera Council (CiF), signed this morning deals with four of the island's pensioners' clubs. Under the deals, the Council will provide 24,000 euros in financial support to Formentera's pensioners and elderly residents. The 12-month pacts are aimed at funding the seniors' clubs' day-to-day maintenance, service costs and new programmes on the island in 2016.

Together with chairwoman Margarita Sanchís of Sant Francesc's association of retirees and pensioners, the CiF president signed off on a 9,000-euro funding promise. Another pact, valued at 6,500 euros, was struck with Rita Costa, of the Sant Ferran social centre and centre for the aged. Partnerships were also clinched between the Council and Maria Costa, chair of the la Savina retirees' and pensioners' club (4,500 euros) and Jaume Escandell, chair of la Mola's senior centre (4,000).

Jaume Ferrer, president of the Formentera Council, and Maria Costa, chair of NGO Formenterers Solidaris, met today to put their signatures on a deal handing the group Council money to carry out aid projects in developing countries. The deal additionally sets out a plan to raise awareness among Formentera residents in 2016.

The year-long pact is renewable and provides 3,000 euros in funding. Also in attendance at the signing were CiF social welfare councillor Vanessa Parellada and Formenterers Solidaris's secretary, Teresa Costa.