“Local governments are the leading actors of active and transformative policies”

From the FVMP, with the encouragement of the Generalitat Valenciana, we organized this meeting of regional and local governments, councils, trade unions, social and commercial representatives to form a common front against inflation.

As we know inflation affects all Valencians and especially the most vulnerable families in our region suffer from it. It is therefore vital to combat rising prices and to support citizens’ access to essential goods and services at the municipal level with all the means at our disposal.

As overall objectives, we have set ourselves to support families in overcoming the current price crisis with temporary measures that strengthen the social network on the one hand. On the other hand, promoting the energy transition, controlling the energy expenditure of municipal services and infrastructures, as well as informing and educating citizens on the correct use of energy.

In addition, we propose a set of measures to deal with price increases in the food sector, free public transport actions (such as those currently underway), reduction, freezing, deferral or moratorium of mandatory and optional taxes. energy efficiency plans, reducing or stopping municipal public tariffs and prices…

We always think of major government policies around Next Generation Funds. But what could this small-scale European aid mean for municipalities?

European funds can be an extra source of income, but the most important aspect of being able to participate in projects is access to the information produced in these projects.

The aim of a European project is to propose an innovative solution to a common problem and that this solution can be adapted to other countries. The positive aspect of participating in such projects is the breadth of vision they offer. For small municipalities, this means discovering that they are not alone and that their problems, normally linked to the demographic challenge, are shared with most European countries.

Moreover, participation in these projects provides access to good practices and innovative information that can be applied in our municipalities, regardless of size.

Also mention the important role the Federation plays in education for European funds.

In 2019, we wanted to give more support to the European projects department coinciding with the new legislature and we launched the Pont a Europa office. It is responsible for informing, educating and guiding the Community’s municipalities and associations on participation in European projects related to both the Multiannual Financial Framework 2021/2027 and the Next Generation Funds. All of this was made possible thanks to close cooperation with the Generalitat Valenciana presidency through a cooperation agreement signed in 2020.

The results have been magnificent. In Europe, the Pont office was a demand from the municipality. Municipalities stated that they wanted to take part in the projects, but they did not know how to do it, and they needed a hand that would make their work easier. We tried to respond to a request made by public officials and municipal technicians so that regional municipalities can participate in European projects regardless of their size.

Regarding its depopulation policies, Generalitat supported the AVANT 20-30 strategy. What is this strategy about?

We started the journey of Demographic Challenge in FVMP years ago with the creation of the Forum of Interior Municipalities. Then, in 2020, we created the Valencia Office against depopulation in collaboration with AVANT Agenda.

Among the programs we run, ITINERANT, where we offer basic professional services at home, stands out. REVIU, where we give advice to new families who decide to undertake the rural life project, DIGITAL CITIZENSHIP, where we train people from the smallest municipalities of the region on new technologies; or the management of Route 99, an ambitious project to promote domestic tourism.

What is the “Tourist Municipal Regulation” and what is the purpose of it?

The Tourist Municipality Bylaw sets out some of the requirements that municipalities must fulfill in order to benefit from tourist cataloging. From the FVMP, together with the Valencia Tourism Agency, we are working on negotiating these requirements and more flexibility. The aim is to get more investment from municipalities in these tourism municipalities which leads to the enrichment of the Valencia Community brand.

It’s about recognizing an industry’s effort to keep moving forward so that the invaluable and vital tourism we have in our region continues to work towards hospitality, sustainability, accessibility, digital transformation. a new touristic city model that we want to know.

Why did you decide to create the Valencia Municipal Broadcasting Network (XEMV)? What is its function and why is it so important?

Xarxa d’Emissores Municipals Valencianes covers a range of radio stations in the Community of Valencia with their content close to local information and our neighbours.

No knowledge is small if it is useful to a single neighbor, accompanies him, interests him, entertains him. This vital function of community media has gained in value during the long hours and days of the pandemic. Valencians and Valencians use local information around the clock to know our news is coming for weeks. Media professionals have worked uninterruptedly to inform us, to accompany us, and even to distract us from the harsh realities we have to live with from time to time.

It is therefore essential to maintain a commitment to maintaining close channels of communication that convey truthful and unbiased information. This is a project that develops with the belief that every window to knowledge enables us to move forward in more responsible and democratic models of governance.

Where are the municipalities of Valencia in terms of their commitment to the 2030 Agenda? Are we going in the right direction?

Valencia municipalities take compliance with the SDGs very seriously in their municipal policies. City councils have incorporated the SDGs as cross-targets in all their initiatives.

Local governments are the true heroes of our society’s active and transformative policies towards achieving inclusive, safe, sustainable and resilient cities. The inclusion of these goals in education, equality, mobility and the environment is what we can already observe in the daily actions of the municipality.

Also, FVMP signed a contract to comply with all SDGs, who does it affect and what does it consist of?

It is an agreement we initiated with Generalitat from the FVMP to work to raise awareness on compliance with the SDGs at the municipal level. However, we aim to promote and disseminate good practices by local governments throughout the Valencian Community.

We believe that making the Sustainable Development Goals visible as something transversal in day-to-day management will help encourage actions that improve our environment and citizens’ quality of life. Working globally with perseverance and local effort are big changes that require daily action.

Finally, as the head of the FVMP and also the mayor of the Elda City Council, we ask you to consider this legislature.

Admittedly, it has been a very complex mandate due to the pandemic, a crisis we are facing by dedicating all possible resources to helping people, families and the productive fabric of Elda. However, we have made progress in the transformation of our city with the implementation of future plans that we have a road map such as Elda 2030 Strategic Plan and Urban Agenda. In this sense, I would like to remind you that Elda is one of the 22 Spanish cities selected by the Spanish Government for the preparation of the Urban Agenda’s local action plans, with a population between 50,000 and 100,000. There are only two more cities in the province of Alicante, and only 121 cities, municipalities, councils and local units across the country received subsidies for the preparation of these plans.

We have already presented the Local Action Plan, which includes 22 initiatives that will make Elda a benchmark for other cities in terms of sustainability, mobility and efficiency. Most importantly, the city has a story, a goal and a road. For a long time we lacked a strategy, a horizon to reach, and now we are gradually designing this horizon through the Strategic Plan, accompanied by the Elda Renace Plan and now this Action Plan.

With the 20 million Euro Elda Renace Plan, we are making very important investments that allow us to create quality employment, modernize the city, make it more livable and livable, and also value our historical and cultural heritage. .

On the other hand, the commitment to expand the education offer has made Elda the capital of FP. In these seven years, we have managed to double the number of training cycles with more than 2,500 quotas at the VET centers in Elda. I believe that the education of our youth should be improved in order to increase the competitiveness of our industry and economy and to improve people’s quality of life.

With 2030 on the horizon, there is still a long way to go to keep moving forward. The Urban Agenda Action Plan’s initiatives include these challenges and projects, such as reducing greenhouse gas emissions, a commitment to sustainable energy and circular economy, further progress in urban renewal and renaturation of public space, implement Elda’s transformation. “smart city”, valuing the natural environment, promoting cultural heritage, increasing tourist offer and commercial activity…

Exciting and ambitious projects that will continue to move forward in the transformation and modernization of Elda.