Strategic Partnership Elevates Access to European Funds for Alicante Family Businesses
the Family Business Association of Alicante Province (aefa) and Banco Sabadell have formalized a partnership designed to simplify access to European funds for local family-run enterprises. The collaboration centers on enabling financing for projects supported by European aid and strengthening the province’s family businesses in managing and deploying these funds efficiently.
the signing ceremony was attended by the president of aefa, Maite Antón, alongside Banco Sabadell’s Eastern Regional Director, Fernando Canos. Prior to finalizing the agreement, aefa’s board met with Banco Sabadell executives to outline the core financial and managerial needs of Alicante’s family businesses and to discuss how to bolster these areas to support ongoing recovery and long-term growth.
the aefa president expressed gratitude to Banco Sabadell for its backing of Alicante’s family businesses. “We are in a period where economic recovery remains uneven, and inflationary pressures could temper progress. It is crucial that our family businesses have access to guidance and funding channels that enable them to leverage the assistance available and keep operations running smoothly,” Antón stated.
Banco Sabadell’s Eastern regional director highlighted the strategic value of European funds in supporting recovery and economic transformation. He noted that local companies in Alicante can play a pivotal role in this process, and that Banco Sabadell’s broad network and mechanisms can act as a catalyst for directing funds to small and medium-sized enterprises and households, underscoring the bank’s commitment to regional development.
Under the agreement, Banco Sabadell will facilitate and assist aefa’s subsidiaries in accessing support provided by the National Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan. The European Recovery Fund initiative aims to spur the creation of recovery and transformation strategies that promote sustainability and digitalization across the economy.
aefa was established in 1995 by a group of 32 family business owners from Alicante. It holds the distinction of being the first family business association in Spain and followed the model of the National Institute of Family Business created two years earlier. The association’s primary objectives include protecting and advancing the interests of family enterprises and ensuring their continuity. Today, the organization encompasses a broad portfolio of members, reflecting the diverse landscape of family-owned businesses in the province.
through this alliance, local family businesses can expect enhanced visibility and streamlined processes to navigate European funding programs. The collaboration also emphasizes capacity building in governance, strategic planning, and financial management—critical components for sustaining competitiveness in a rapidly evolving market environment. As the recovery and resilience framework matures, the partnership aims to deliver tangible benefits, including faster access to funding, improved project appraisal, and clearer pathways for using European resources to drive innovation and job creation in Alicante.
for the broader regional economy, the alliance signals a model approach to public-private collaboration. By aligning the expertise of a regional financial institution with the practical needs of family businesses, the initiative aspires to serve as a scalable blueprint for other provinces seeking to maximize the impact of European support programs while maintaining a strong local focus. In summary, the partnership represents a proactive step toward sustaining economic momentum, reducing administrative barriers, and empowering Alicante’s family ventures to thrive in a recovering economy.