Public companies have become a fundamental pillar for the Canarian Public Administration, facilitating coverage of areas and access to fields that, individually, would be more complex due to bureaucracy or resource scarcity. Their main objective is to optimize the services offered to citizens.
In this context, Gestión y Planeamiento Territorial y Medioambiental S. A. (Gesplan), with 35 years of activity since its founding in 1991, has emerged as a key support instrument for the archipelago's public sector. Since 2023, the entity has boosted its modernization, framed within the Strategic Framework Sendero 31.
Attached to the Ministry of Territorial Policy, Territorial Cohesion and Water of the Government of Canarias, Gesplan possesses vast experience in areas such as environment, sustainability, emergency management, and territorial planning. Its evolution has been linked to the needs of the public administration, including the Government of Canarias, the cabildos (island councils), and ayuntamientos (municipalities), operating on a non-profit basis, dedicating all its income to the entrusted projects.
“"For every euro allocated to Gesplan by public entities, the social return amounts to 2.41 euros, which generally represents an annual impact of 241 million euros."
A study on the Social Return on Investment (Social ROI), commissioned by the entity itself and prepared by the external company Innovaris, has revealed Gesplan's significant impact on island society. This report highlights that for every euro invested in the public company, a social return of 2.41 euros is generated, which translates into an annual impact of 241 million euros, in addition to unquantifiable benefits.
The impact on employment is one of the most notable factors, with a workforce of around 2,000 people annually. The presence of personnel from all municipalities in the Canary Islands reinforces the company's commitment to the local economy and employment.
In addition to the economic aspect, the report underscores qualitative benefits such as improved quality and access to public services, economic revitalization, efficiency in public management, technical innovation, strengthening social cohesion, positive environmental impact, professional development, increased transparency, and social inclusion, among others.
Among the more than 450 projects that Gesplan coordinates annually, initiatives for environmental improvement and recovery are included, such as the restoration of areas affected by the Tenerife fire, fire prevention and extinction, animal care through protection centers, and emergency support. It also manages land banks to promote agriculture and livestock, and collaborates on composting and urban waste management projects in some municipalities. Concrete examples include support for those affected by the La Palma volcano and the construction of citizen infrastructures such as senior centers or sports facilities.
The objective of Gesplan's management in commissioning this study was to evaluate its impact and adjust aspects that might be less positive. For the year 2026, the entity has strengthened its Corporate Social Responsibility strategy, aligned with the SDGs and the Canarian Agenda, to consolidate this impact. Recently, it has joined the Canarian Network of Corporate Social Responsibility to foster alliances and collaborations in this area, with actions across all islands focused on environment, animal welfare, health, corporate culture, and the demographic challenge.
