Image
SPONSOR THE WINDMILLS - Restoration of the windmills located in Pla de Sant Jordi, Palma de Mallorca
Published on 21 November 2018
Spain
Illes Balears
This is the good practice's implementation level. It can be national, regional or local.
About this good practice
In the XVIII century the windmills were constructed to extract water from the ground phreatic layers. This water allowed the area to become the "pantry" of the citizens of Palma, providing them with fresh vegetables and fruits, beef meat and dairy products.
Although they are today ethnological protected elements, most of them are in state of abandonment. Their restoration is very important, not only for environmental reasons (because they contribute to the conservation of hydraulic infrastructures) but specially to preserve the local architecture and old traditions.
Mallorca Insular Council has launched 2 initiatives to financially support the restoration of as many windmills as possible:
1- A Call for Grants, 1.1M€ (2017-2019) from which 500.000 € come from the Sustainable Tourism Tax with the support of the Balearic Islands Tourism Board (ATB) due to the importance of the mills as tourist attractions and valuable elements of the local cultural heritage. The call subsidizes the owners 100% of restoration. In turn, owners are obliged to maintain the windmill in an optimal state of conservation and to allow free public visits.
2- "Sponsor the windmills". From 1€ on, any person of any age, company or association can economically sponsor the windmills collaborating in their restoration.
Main beneficiaries are windmill owners, tourists and the local population and schools. Main stakeholders are windmill owners and two public administrations: regional and insular.
Although they are today ethnological protected elements, most of them are in state of abandonment. Their restoration is very important, not only for environmental reasons (because they contribute to the conservation of hydraulic infrastructures) but specially to preserve the local architecture and old traditions.
Mallorca Insular Council has launched 2 initiatives to financially support the restoration of as many windmills as possible:
1- A Call for Grants, 1.1M€ (2017-2019) from which 500.000 € come from the Sustainable Tourism Tax with the support of the Balearic Islands Tourism Board (ATB) due to the importance of the mills as tourist attractions and valuable elements of the local cultural heritage. The call subsidizes the owners 100% of restoration. In turn, owners are obliged to maintain the windmill in an optimal state of conservation and to allow free public visits.
2- "Sponsor the windmills". From 1€ on, any person of any age, company or association can economically sponsor the windmills collaborating in their restoration.
Main beneficiaries are windmill owners, tourists and the local population and schools. Main stakeholders are windmill owners and two public administrations: regional and insular.
Resources needed
Cost: 1.1 M€
(2017)-109.186,84€ fin. support from Mallorca Insular Council
(2018)-250.000€ fin. support from Sustainable Tourism Tax
250.000€ fin. support from Mallorca Insular Council
(2019)-250.000€ fin. support from Sustainable Tourism Tax
250.000€ fin. support from Mallorca Insular Council
(2017)-109.186,84€ fin. support from Mallorca Insular Council
(2018)-250.000€ fin. support from Sustainable Tourism Tax
250.000€ fin. support from Mallorca Insular Council
(2019)-250.000€ fin. support from Sustainable Tourism Tax
250.000€ fin. support from Mallorca Insular Council
Evidence of success
It formulates a new innovative way of collaborating together: society, owners and public administrations (regional and insular) in order to recover typical heritage elements of the rural Mallorca and to enhance them as tourist attractions.
Potential for learning or transfer
We consider this practice as being potentially interesting for regions wishing to diversify the economy (recovering agriculture and old irrigation systems), to recover ancient trades, to create new jobs, to help conserve and maintain important ethnological assets, to promote sustainable tourism, to extend the tourist season, and to promote gastronomy and local products.
Further information
Website
Good practice owner
You can contact the good practice owner below for more detailed information.
Organisation
MALLORCA INSULAR COUNCIL (Consell de Mallorca, Direcció Insular de Patrimoni Històric)
Spain
Illes Balears
Contact
Environmental Engineer