A bit of a history

FODESBA is a young entity, but it has a bit of history. You will not understand its evolution without understanding the root from where it sprouts.
It was 1988. The failure of macroeconomic policies and of the centralized structures of the states to solve the unemployment problem throughout Europe promoted the implication of Local Administration in this subject, playing an active role, based on the advantages of having a deeper knowledge of the reality and with the possibility of articulate solutions from an authority field nearer to the problem, with local initiatives which could produce a stronger integration and an economic and social development.
The Consell Insular de Mallorca adopted this new concept of local development, and the 6th june of 1988 approved the PLAN FOR THE PROMOTION OF ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT FOR MALLORCA (FODESMA), which soon after was converted into a body of direct management in the own Consell in order to promote and manage projects of fight against unemployment, which at the same time had an economic and social repercussion in Majorca.

Since the beginning, FODESMA focused its task to the recuperation of the Majorcan heritage. The transformation of the pre-tourist island to a leader on mass tourism phenomena, had supposed no little advantage for its inhabitants, but also considerable disadvantages for the conservation of its heritage. Many of traditional trades had disappeared and the heritage which identified us and differentiated from other visitors was being destroyed and forgotten.
FODESMA during 15 years had an almost frenetic rhythm of setting up and implementing projects which have permitted the re-valorisation of some aspects of our marine and natural heritage, as well as the historical, popular and ethnological heritage, but, with no doubt it has had the worth of doing all that involving more than 5,000 people who dedicated their efforts, their enthusiasm and knowledge in order to conclude each of the projects.
Suddenly, the last politician of the moment, the executive regional minister, Mr Borràs; in an ignoble and poor-spirited manoeuvre made FODESMA disappear. As a testimony, the annual reports remain, if he hasn't erased them. The well done work and the constant search of quality remains in the many projects realized but the most important, the living testimony of people who has participated, and in homage to whom is reborn this new reality called FODESBA

Antoni Colomar Marí, President