In the heart of southern Gran Canaria, in Juan Grande, one of the archipelago's most powerful initiatives in terms of social and labor integration is underway, promoted by the State Entity for Penitentiary Work and Training for Employment (TPFE).
The Juan Grande center has modern, operational facilities, ready to host projects in sectors such as textiles, logistics, hospitality, the circular economy, and industrial services. These spaces are already operational and can be used by local companies to develop productive activities in a controlled environment committed to sustainability. The TPFE, an entity dependent on the Ministry of the Interior, is responsible for coordinating vocational training and paid employment within penitentiary centers, with the aim of preparing inmates to compete on equal terms once they are released.
One of the organizations that has supported the development of a technical cooperation agenda at this center is the NGO Hispafrica Economía Verde, which has successfully conducted business awareness campaigns. "Collaborating on projects in the Canary Islands network of centers is extremely attractive for small businesses that need to externalize resources in a highly controlled manner while simultaneously developing CSR initiatives," notes Óscar Ovejero, president of Hispafrica Economía Verde.
The territorial coordinator of the TPFE in the Canary Islands, Juan Andrés Godoy Sosa, who received a visit this week from the President of Gran Canaria, Antonio Morales, deeply values the institutional commitment shown by institutions such as the Gran Canaria Island Council. "This support allows us to strengthen the bond necessary to promote joint initiatives, especially in strategic sectors such as recycling, logistics, and industry," he noted. Godoy also emphasized that the organization's motto in the Canary Islands, "Transform your company with social impact in the Canary Islands," encapsulates the philosophy it seeks to expand in the island economy: to be competitive without sacrificing social justice.
The initiative, in addition to aligning the prison system with the Sustainable Development Goals, proposes a pioneering model for southern Gran Canaria: converting a prison into a driving force for employment, training, and productive innovation. Companies interested in exploring this model can contact the TPFE directly via email. jandres.godoy@tpfe.esFrom there, proposals for collaboration, production in prison settings, dual training programs, and even contracts with reintegrated individuals are channeled. The case of Juan Grande demonstrates that, even from places marked by incarceration, initiatives can emerge that open doors to a more inclusive economy with a human face.
