Alicante Provincial Council currently benefits from up to 9.5 million euros in European funds allocated to nine projects that modernize the province. The main focus areas include accelerating digitalization and electronic governance, with a special emphasis on small municipalities; reducing the impact of natural disasters such as the 2019 DANA in Vega Baja; and safeguarding the environment to support youth development, particularly in education and culture.
The budget of the Alicante Provincial Council is stagnating: Only one in three euros is applied
Among the nine projects financed by the EU, three are linked to New Generation funds with a combined nearly 9 million euros. One initiative, Alicante Rural-Com, aims to boost rural entrepreneurship in municipalities with up to 5,000 residents. Its objectives include implementing digital business models, providing training on the use and management of technological tools on the digital platform, and deploying Wi-Fi networks in 84 town centers.
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The Dimo Project, focused on digitalization and modernization of the province of Alicante, targets local organizations with populations around 20,000. Its goals include developing digital management tools, improving data handling, and integrating the citizen portfolio. Another New Generation effort concentrates on tourism, the province’s key industry. Its purpose is to energize inland areas through tourism and to generate new demand for the Costa Blanca tourism circuit. This is the largest contributor among the New Generation funds, with a budget of about 5.7 million euros.
Apart from the New Generation funds, the Provincial Council manages six other EU-supported programs extending through 2027 as part of multi-year plans. The Erasmus education and training project Museum Next aims to digitalize medium and small museums. Youngedeal promotes youth participation in the European Green Deal, coordinated by the Provincial Assembly Environment Area. Lost Music seeks to broaden the audience for classical music while highlighting heritage that is at risk of fading away. ADDA plays a significant role in its development.
The NBS Local project centers on sharing experiences about nature-based solutions to bolster protection against extreme climate events. Green Your Business encourages awareness of climate change among young people and is implemented by the Environment area of the Provincial Assembly. The initiative Aid for Better Environmental Education, included in Erasmus, is dedicated to training teachers in environmental education.
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According to the head of the government team for Economic Development and European Projects, Pastor Carlos, it is crucial for the Provincial Council to stay current on increasing European funds since they can be highly beneficial for municipalities in the province, especially the smaller ones. He adds that larger cities have their own offices to participate in calls. The council is also training municipal technicians so they can manage EU aid efficiently. The state MP for Alcoy echoes this view.
When describing the axes prioritized by these projects, Pastor notes that digital transformation, environmental protection, natural resource optimization, renewable energy commitments, youth education, and cultural preservation are the main targets. He emphasizes that these overarching objectives are adapted by the Provincial Council to suit the size of each local government. The essential point is that funding continues to flow for the province’s development. He also points out that calls remain active for subsidies reaching municipalities with populations under 50,000, enabling training sessions for technicians, officials, and politicians in Alicante city councils.
Notes from official sources indicate the EU funding strategy aims to strengthen local governance, boost digital capability, and foster sustainable development across the province. The described programs collectively support digital infrastructure, environmental stewardship, and capacity-building for local authorities. These marked investments are intended to build resilience and opportunity in diverse communities across the Alicante region.
Attribution: EU funds program summaries and regional government communications reflect these initiatives and their strategic goals for the coming years. These descriptions are offered to provide a factual overview of the funding landscape and intended outcomes. Cited sources provide context for program objectives and regional impact.