On Monday 21 November, the European Commission approved Spain’s Partnership Agreement under the Cohesion Policy 2021-2027. The €37.3 billion in funding will aim to accelerate the country’s ecological and digital transitions.
Investments will focus particularly on less developed regions. Andalusia, Extremadura, Castilla-La Mancha, Ceuta and Melilla will benefit from 50% of the funds, while the Canary Islands will receive an additional €673 million as an EU Outermost Region.
In the area of ecological issues, €9 billion from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) will be dedicated to the green transition, of which €1.8 billion and €3.3 billion will support the objectives of 39.5% primary energy savings and 74% renewable electricity production by 2030 respectively. Spain will also benefit from €870 million under the Just Transition Fund (JTF) to mitigate the socio-economic consequences of decarbonisation and €1.1 billion under EMFAF to strengthen the resilience of the fisheries sector.
In terms of economic and social aspects, €8.5 billion from the ERDF will aim to stimulate the growth of SMEs through investments in high value-added sectors. Additionally, €11.3 billion from the European Social Fund will be dedicated to employment, training and healthcare. Particular attention will be paid to the most vulnerable categories of the population, such as women, young people, low-skilled workers, people with disabilities, the elderly and people from a migrant background.
Finally, Spain will receive €700 million for nine Interreg programmes.
This is the 24th Partnership Agreement adopted under the 2021-2027 Cohesion Policy. The Commission is yet to approve those of Luxembourg, Belgium and Hungary. (Original version in French by Hélène Seynaeve)