The LIFE project has an important social focus, which includes the environmental education programme for the local community (adults and schools) of the three SCIs (Campo de Azaba, Campo de Argañan and Malcata) and their area of influence.

One of the problems of the area of action is the practice of inappropriate use of the territory, incompatible with nature conservation. In addition, mistrust and suspicion of conservation policies, in particular the declaration of new protected natural areas, sometimes seen as a hindrance to the economic development of the area, is present among the local population. On the other hand, children and young people are also unaware of the enormous environmental value of their territory.

The development of an environmental education and awareness programme for the local community thus becomes very important as a complementary part of the project’s conservation actions.
Awareness talks will be given, in which the local population will be made aware of the main problems facing the Mediterranean mountain, the biology and conservation problems of priority species, as well as the conservation objectives and actions to be developed. Meetings will be held with groups of interest such as hunters, owners and breeders, and free guided tours will be organised to the Campanarios de Azaba Biological Reserve for all the relevant population centres of the three SCIs.