Furthermore, employment generation is a key priority in the Department's Medium Term Strategic Framework, and it has been intensifying its involvement in the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) in relation to generating green jobs. The transfer from the Department of Water Affairs of the Natural Resources Management Programmes, comprising the Working for Water and Working on Fire, has significantly increased the Department's capacity and responsibility to create employment. Both job generation and critical environmental outcomes such as the management of invasive alien plants, wild fires, wetlands, land and forest degradation, river health; the potential creation of value added industries; and the conversion of invasive alien plant biomass, bush-encroachment biomass and waste materials to energy continue to be realised through these programmes. The Department also fostered the development of the green economy by establishing the Green Fund, whose objectives are to promote environmental protection through a programme consisting of technical assistance, grant assistance, loan assistance and/or own funding for projects that have a substantial public interest. The fund aims to stimulate market development and foster projects that have a high positive environmental impact, strengthen institutional capacity to integrate environmental issues into the economy and society, contribute to the associated knowledge management and attract resources to develop South Africa's green economy.