Friday 17 March, the Formentera arm of the Open University for Older Adults (UOM) will host a new lecture with "Un altre patrimoni: el patrimoni industrial" ['Another heritage: Industry'] by historian Antoni Ferrer Abárzuza. The talk will start at 5.00pm in the Retirees and Pensioners' Club (Club de Jubilats i Pensionistes) of Sant Francesc and is open to islanders fifty and up.

13 March 2023
Office of Communication
Consell de Formentera

Today the draft document of the Artificial Intelligence Strategy for the Balearic Islands was presented on Formentera. Ramon Roca, general director of modernisation and digital administration for the Balearic Government, and Bartomeu Alorda, director of innovation and knowledge transfer at the University of the Balearic Islands, presented the plan to representatives of local businesses and members of Formentera's tourism sector (Association of Small and Medium-sized Businesses [Pimef], Chamber of Commerce and Hotel Association).

Vanessa Parellada, new technologies councillor, thanked Roca and Alorda for coming to Formentera "to explain the importance of artificial intelligence not only for companies, but also for the educational and social sector, particularly considering the changes that are quickly sweeping this area and the help that this type of intelligence can mean for people and businesses".

In the words of Mr Roca, "defining the Strategic Plan for AI in the Balearic Islands will integrate and transform the educational, productive, innovative and social ecosystem". The gathering allowed the presenters to hear input from Formentera's productive fabric on defining the IA strategy in the Balearics.

13 March 2023
Office of Communication
Consell de Formentera

The Office of Youth of the Consell de Formentera is pleased to report that Friday 31 March, the Casal de Joves will celebrate the 15th anniversary of its opening. At 4.30pm, the island's youth drop-in centre will host an open day where all of Formentera can get to know the facilities and meet Casal youth and staff.

From 5.00pm, there will be children's activities like face painting, spin art, table football and other games so that, in the words of Vanessa Parellada, youth councillor, "pre-teens can start getting to know the centre too, with Casal teens on hand to lead the way". Parents and Casal attendees from years past can also come enjoy the celebration, said Parellada. "The idea is to open the space to children —who will soon be old enough to use the Casal too— and other family members, for a party that is inclusive and has a place for everyone, but which puts young people at the centre."

At 6.00pm, a snack will be offered to all attendees. From 8.30pm, the audience will guide the "actors" in an activity called "Improxoc" through creation of a totally improvised story. The performance will be followed by a pizza dinner and, at 10.00pm, the evening's crowning event: a rap concert from the first generations of Casal youth (Lu, Tur, Acqua, Gawchito, Flaco Fer and Dj Day-n).

13 March 2023
Office of Communication
Consell de Formentera

·The Consell and Balearic Government have signed a land transfer protocol to construct a new public housing development on the island.

Today Ana Juan, president of the Consell de Formentera; Josep Marí, mobility and housing minister of the Balearic Government, and Rafael Ramírez, the island's housing councillor, announced the launch of Formentera's new Housing Office and signed the land transfer protocol to build a new, ten-unit development of public housing in Sant Francesc. Alejandra Ferrer, vice-president of the Consell, and other cabinet councillors also attended the presentation.

The new office is a space where islanders will receive free support on housing issues. This service will centralise all the information related to housing, from rental subsidies to specialised assistance on leasing contracts and more.

President Juan called the opening "an important step to help islanders in need of social, technical and legal advice". "We are promoting public policies and initiatives to provide solutions to people who need housing on Formentera", she continued. She also pointed out that with the signing of the protocol, "we are adding a new social housing project on the island".

Minister Marí explained: "It is great news to offer people this service, particularly on an island like Formentera where the real estate market is highly pensioned". He added, "to ensure access to decent housing we need the involvement of all institutions, and with the Consell de Formentera, we have found it".

Councillor Ramírez also hailed the opening of the office, which will offer an essential service for the people of Formentera, and announced that "next week rental assistance for the year 2022 will be announced to the tune of €70,000". The councillor also pointed out that work is under way on an initiative to pool sustainable rental housing and two studies have been commissioned on the island's housing market.

New development
In addition, the transfer of a plot of land to build a new development in Sant Francesc, was also announced today. The Balearic Institute of Housing (IBAVI) will build a ten-unit development of social rental housing. This housing is intended for specific groups with temporary housing needs, typically young people and the elderly. Hence, intergenerational coexistence will allow for community spaces where inhabitants can carry out their daily activities.

The IBAVI built a 14-home development in Sant Ferran, which has been a pioneer in the new system of sustainable architecture that the IBAVI spearheads. Another development of 17 public housing units in Sant Ferran is currently in bidding, and today's protocol adds ten homes to the public housing stock on the island. This is a very significant increase, with a total of 41 more public housing units in the pipeline by the end of term.

11 March 2023
Office of Communication
Consell de Formentera