The Office of Sport of the Consell de Formentera is pleased to announce that it has begun preparing the Values Plan for the 2023-2024 academic year, including the launch of Nena i Esport, an online platform that architects of the project hope will work in tandem with local schools. Paula Ferrer, sports councillor, explained that the goal is "to use sport and [the] platform as tools to promote gender equality".

The platform will be used to propose activities encouraging girls, boys and actors around them to debate, investigate and reflect on gender equality in sport. The proposal supports teachers by offering practical and interactive activities designed for years five and six of primary school and years one through five of secondary school.

To encourage teachers of PE and other subjects, homeroom teachers and school administrations to participate, the Office of Sport has sent a letter with all the information and a form to schools.

24 May 2023
Office of Communication
Consell de Formentera

Today Ana Juan, president of the Consell de Formentera, Ana Juan, and Jorge Jiménez, president of Formentera Island Tennis Club, signed a collaboration agreement whereby the Consell will provide the club with €11,000 to oversee use and maintenance of municipal tennis and paddle courts while the club commits to regularly maintain the facilities in 2023.

16 May 2023
Office of Communication
Consell de Formentera

Today Ana Juan, Alejandra Ferrer and Paula Ferrer––president, vice president/tourism councillor and sports councillor, respectively, of the Consell de Formentera––along with Manuel Hernández, director of Unisport Consulting, presented the 14th Formentera Island Half-Marathon (Mitja Marató) and 8K run from Sant Ferran to La Savina. Taking place place this Saturday 13 May at 6.00pm, the races will assemble nearly 3,300 athletes (2,085 in the Mitja Marató and 1,185 in the 8K) from mainland Spain, Italy, France, Germany and United Kingdom.

The presentation was also attended by representatives of the event's core sponsors: Francesco Bellini, commercial manager of Trasmapi, and Lourdes Costa, director of the Caixabank office in Sant Francesc.

"Excitement always runs high as we host Formentera's biggest race and one whose significance extends beyond the competition itself", said President Juan, describing the event as "the best excuse to visit the island and enjoy our nature, atmosphere and gastronomy".

As Vice President Ferrer put it, "this event is the perfect chance for participants and their companions to enjoy Formentera in May, when the island comes alive with cultural and fine-dining activities showcasing the best of our pre-season offer".

Changes and safety
For her part, Paula Ferrer held up "the organisational capacity of Formentera, collaborating companies, security forces and healthcare staff" and praised the work of "volunteers, who are crucial to making the Mitja Marató happen". All told, organisers, security personnel and volunteers number roughly 250. She highlighted changes in the last 500-metre stretch through La Savina that will see runners take Carrer Gregal to avoid the main road, explaining, "It makes for a safer run and means we won't have to close roads at the entrance of La Savina, where a temporary walkway has been set up".

Finally, Manuel Hernández said that the number of participants had all but returned to pre-pandemic levels––a sign of the enormous interest that the Mitja Marató sparks among fans.

Running towards equality with maua flowers
As President Juan pointed out, this year's event "takes another step towards visibility for women and gender equality": Mónica Batán, the director of Wanawake, as well as an activist and popular runner, will run the race wearing maua flowers on her bib and bracelets made by women survivors of some the most extremest forms of gender violence.

"The other runners will also be able to join the gesture and wear the flowers on their bibs and wrists, leveraging a pro-equality slogan and symbol to contribute to the solution", explained Juan. Proceeds will help provide employment opportunities for female survivors in Kenya, Tanzania and Spain of female genital mutilation, child marriage and human trafficking.

Reducing plastics and staying hydrated
This year's event is also about reducing single-use plastics, and organisers will distribute flexible reusable water bottles filled with isotonic beverages at the second refreshment point (kilometre 9) of the Half-Marathon and the start of the 8K run.

Once at the finish line, participants will be given a second reusable bottle with water. In this way, respect for the environment is paired with runners' need to stay hydrated. Runners will also be able to refresh themselves at shower stations set up along the route.

Road closures
Certain stretches of PM 820 will be closed to vehicle traffic. The Consell apologises for the inconvenience that this may cause.

1. PM 820 (Entrance to El Pilar de la Mola to the lighthouse): 2.00pm to 7.00pm
2. PM 820 (Exit from El Pilar de la Mola to Sant Ferran): 4.30pm to 8.00pm
3. PM 820 2 (Sant Ferran to La Savina via Es Pujols): 5.00pm to 8.30pm

10 May 2023
Office of Communication
Consell de Formentera

Today Paula Ferrer, human resources councillor of the Consell de Formentera, has participated in a debate on the four-day work week organised by the Balearic chapter of the Unión General de Trabajadores in Palma.

In remarks, Ferrer stressed that union negotiations last February led to approval of a new working group "to study the progressive implementation of the four-day work week in the services in which it is feasible". The Consell de Formentera is the first public administration in the Balearic Islands that is negotiating its implementation at the trade union table.

Ferrer explained that the aim of this proposal "is to improve workers' quality of life without affecting the quality of service" and stressed that "public policies should focus on the increasingly palpable feeling that we should work to live, not live to work". By the councillor's lights, "the pandemic showed us that people's priority is time to enjoy family and friends. If we are happy, motivation increases, and with it, productivity".

Ferrer was joined at the debate by José Ramón Mateos, who is UGT Public Services' Pine Island representative on Formentera (the original proposal was submitted to the Consell de Formentera bargaining table by UGT). The event was also attended by the Balearic ministers Iago Negueruela and Mercedes Garrido, economist and labour law professor Adrián Todolí and prominent members of the union.

5 May 2023
Office of Communication
Consell de Formentera