European funds represent an opportunity to modernize cities, foster social cohesion, and strengthen the industrial sector. This message opened a gathering titled The impact of European funds on Valencia Community industry, held on Thursday, October 27, at the Elche Convention Centre. The forum, organized by UGT, the Generalitat Valenciana, and the Bilgi Club, spotlighted dual education and the Mediterranean Corridor as pivotal to continuing the industrial transformation in the Valencian Community.
Elche welcomed the event, with the mayor highlighting that the city’s deep industrial roots make it a fitting venue for such discussions. Our commitment is to position ourselves as a leading industrial capital along the Spanish Mediterranean belt.
In his remarks, the mayor described European funds as a spur to modernize the industry, especially the footwear sector, stressing that this financing can reindustrialize the region and the city. He underscored the sector’s potential to power growth and job creation, noting that industrialized areas tend to endure economic downturns more resiliently.
The meeting was moderated by Toni Cabot, director of Knowledge Club, and attended by participants from ELCH and the UGT Forum at the Palace of Congresses. The tone of the discussion emphasized practical steps and collaborative action. [Source: Knowledge Club]
The afternoon continued with Francisco Pérez, IVIE Research Director and Professor Emeritus at the University of Valencia, outlining weaknesses in the Valencian manufacturing sector and its industry. He stressed that the European funds already launched are significant due to their scale and purpose, and he offered improvement suggestions linked to the role these funds could play in the region’s development.
According to Pérez, recent years have seen a reorganization of the industrial structure. Traditional industries in the Valencian Community have declined in weight while tile production, agri-food, chemicals, shipping materials, and electronics have gained prominence. He argued that identifying these weaknesses is essential to driving meaningful improvements.
The purpose of European funds, as explained, is to spur recovery and transform the productive fabric. This transformation should raise productivity and address obstacles facing the Valencia Community industry.
Improving the productive fabric
Strategic focuses include increasing professionalization in company management, improving governance, and sharpening the attention of decision-makers. Emphasized measures involve investing in intangible assets, engaging skilled employees, promoting dual education, accelerating digital transformation, and fostering sustainable organization growth. The IVIE Director noted that these funding streams offer margins of maneuver that would not exist without this substantial support. The recommendation is clear: companies must grow and translate growth into digitalization and climate transition.
In this context, Pérez highlighted the broad set of bets for strengthening the province’s productive fabric and noted that European funds enable access to resources otherwise unavailable.
New industry model
A roundtable followed, featuring Joaquín Pérez, president of the Valencian Alicante Business Confederation; Ismael Sáez, general secretary of the Valencian Country General Workers’ Union; and Joan Calabuig, regional secretary for European Union and Foreign Affairs. The participants identified key challenges facing society in the era of decarbonization, climate adaptation, digitization, and geopolitical shifts, recognizing the need for a forward-looking industrial strategy.
The event’s organizers reiterated that European funds should not simply preserve existing practices but drive new approaches. The EU’s path for industrial transformation emphasizes digitalization, alignment with the European Green Deal, and a gradual shift toward a circular economy. The aim is a change of substantial magnitude that accelerates progress in the region’s industrial sector.
There was a shared call to ensure citizens understand the opportunities these funds offer and to communicate the importance of modernization to the broader community. There was also scrutiny about how funds reach companies and how SMEs and self-employed individuals can access them.
Education and training
Education emerged as a central pillar of productivity gains. The discussion underscored the need for deep changes in education systems to support new industry requirements. A proposed system featured dual education as a mechanism to improve company readiness and competitiveness. Meanwhile, the general secretary of the Valencian Country IGT argued that continuous training must be supported with adequate resources.
Mediterranean Corridor as a development engine
The roundtable also highlighted the Mediterranean Corridor as essential for transforming the industrial sector with modernized and well-adapted infrastructure. The hope expressed was that completion by 2025 would greatly boost the region’s socioeconomic development and serve as a catalyst for industrial modernization.
Ismael Senent, general secretary of UGT-Muntanya-Vinalopó-Vega Baja, stated that European funds can help shift to a more sustainable production model and ensure growth that benefits people first.
Industry aligned with Sustainable Development Goals
The discussion linked European funds to the Sustainable Development Goals, noting clear commitments from the EU. Projects funded by these streams often address sustainability, with an emphasis on renewable energy, reduced emissions, and responsible growth. The EU’s SDG framework also highlights the importance of digitalization and social inclusion to ensure that no one is left behind while advancing economic activity.
The regional secretary stressed that SDGs involve environmental targets and climate action, but also social and digital dimensions that expand opportunities for progress and employment. The overarching message was to avoid confusing SDGs with hesitation in economic momentum.
In closing, the general secretary of the Valencian Country General Workers’ Union reiterated that European funds should help minimize the industry’s impact while enabling sustained growth and job creation, with a clear emphasis on people-centered development. [Source: UGT Valencia]