In the Community of Valencia this week, a selection process begins to recruit 334 technicians who will work with municipalities and local associations. Their mission is to help attract European funding and support development projects across the region.
According to Ximo Puig, head of the Generalitat, the program brings together several eligible initiatives from local organizations with smaller capacities. It targets both Next Generation EU funds and Feder programs, aiming to pair skilled staff with opportunities and to present viable projects that unlock European financing for local growth.
Juan Ángel Poyatos, Director General for Coordination of Government Action, noted that these professionals will play a vital role in connecting communities with European funds. The team will be coordinated by the Generalitat, the Valencia Rescue Office, and other local authorities. They will receive the tools and formalities needed to ensure funds reach every town quickly. The aim is to deliver results across the region as promptly as possible.
One focal point is a dedicated platform managed in part by the Generalitat. This platform will oversee European fund management, including tracking calls and, using artificial intelligence, identifying the most appropriate funding streams for each town and each small or medium enterprise. This effort is led by Toni Such, Director General of Local Government, who stresses its importance for efficient access to funds.
The program was well received by municipalities and local associations across the Community of Valencia. It offers technical and material assistance, backed by expert personnel and tools to simplify what is often a complex process for small town halls and councils seeking European support. The Generalitat emphasizes that these funds will be available to municipalities, ensuring a wide reach for community projects.
The 300 personnel will work directly with mayors and local SMEs, collaborating to develop programs financed through European funds. They will act as a bridge between local government and the opportunities offered by the EU, helping community actors identify, plan, and implement projects that align with funding criteria.
European funds in the province: Alicante and Elche account for a significant share of aid
The recruitment initiative for staff to attract and manage European funds has a total budget of €15.38 million. Labora, the Valencia public employment service, will handle the call process for filling positions.
Contracts are set for 18 months, with a distribution that favors smaller municipalities: 32 associations comprising towns with fewer than 2,000 residents will each receive two technicians; 83 towns with 2,000 to 5,000 residents will have one technician each; and 92 towns with more than 5,000 residents will have two technicians each. The allocation prioritizes smaller communities where access to funding can be especially challenging.
Selected candidates will be registered job seekers, holding a university degree and a B1 level of English or French. Rocío Briones, Director General of Employment, explains that the program, which is part of broader employment policies, aims to improve employability by placing technicians within the regional network of town halls and associations. Their role is to help identify European funds suitable for local projects and to support the submission and management of those proposals.
The Valencian Official Journal will publish the recruitment announcement in the coming days. A technical selection commission will review applicants, and it is anticipated that personnel will start duties in September. They will undergo intensive training coordinated by the General Directorates of State Actions and Local Administrations, ensuring alignment with regional goals and EU funding rules.
Notes and data cited in this article reflect program details reported by regional authorities and public employment records. For further context on how similar funding initiatives operate in North American regions, see comparative summaries from Canadian and U.S. municipal funding offices. These overviews provide practical examples of how local governments can build robust grant pipelines and leverage AI-assisted fund matching to maximize opportunities. (Source: Regional Government Communications Office)