The Valencian government led by President Ximo Puig unveiled a 944 million plan designed to cushion the economic shock caused by the war in Ukraine. The strategy rests on four pillars. It includes 71 million aimed at curbing inflation, 385 million to support businesses, families, and the self-employed, 380 million for energy efficiency and savings, and 68 million to speed up energy independence. At the launch, top regional representatives from unions and business associations expressed their backing for the measures.
On inflation, the Reactiva plan pledges wage, fee, and public price reductions of at least 10 percent. This regional boost aims to deliver savings of 71 million euros for Valencian households and companies.
Puig highlighted cuts in tuition for arts, music, and languages, as well as reduced public transport fares, a package expected to benefit nearly 100,000 students. In Alicante, the TRAM tram network will see substantial discounts, up to 50 percent. The plan also offers full tax exemptions for fishermen using regional ports, benefiting about 700 shipowners, 1,700 sailors, and 17 fishing fraternities.
He announced an increase in the energy assistance bonus by as much as 30 percent for vulnerable families receiving Valencia’s Participation Income.
The plan also provides a 45 million euro allocation to aid the self-employed, including a 100 euro monthly bonus for three months. Additionally, 50 million euros are earmarked for gas-intensive companies and 100 million euros for working capital for firms with reduced income.
Energy efficiency measures include allocating 11 million for households installing renewable energy systems for air conditioning and hot water, and 188 million to modernize urban energy efficiency and housing. Three million is set aside for municipalities facing depopulation risks. Seventeen million will be directed to improving energy efficiency in agriculture and the livestock sector and to irrigation modernization.
Puig also noted an executive order approved by the Consell to streamline administrative procedures and remove red tape to speed up the installation of renewable power plants. With this arrangement, processing times are expected to drop by about a year, marking progress toward energy sovereignty for the Valencian Community.
In total, the plan comprises 45 actions meant to generate a strong public response to the Ukraine crisis and to reduce its impact on the region. Of the 944 million euros, 342 million will fund new actions, while 602 million will accelerate investments. Financing will come from the regional government’s own funds, supplemented by European funds and the Recovery and Resilience Mechanism.
During his address, the President thanked social partners for their collaborative role in shaping the Reactive Plan and expressed confidence in the Valencian community’s ability to revive the recovery that began after the pandemic.
The Valencian Community highlighted a framework of agreement and public-private dialogue as a result of the Alcem-nos accords reached during the pandemic. The government valued the sense of coexistence demonstrated by social actors in accepting Valencian demands relayed to the Spanish Government and in preparing the Valencia shock plan.
Present at the presentation were Vicente Soler, Minister of Finance and Economic Model; Ana Barceló, Minister of Universal Health and Public Health; Rafael Climent, Minister of Sustainable Economy, Productive Sectors, Trade and Labor; Mireia Molla, Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development, Climate Emergency, and Ecological Transition; and Arcadi Spain, Minister of Territorial Policy, Public Works and Mobility. Also in attendance were Ismael Sáez, Secretary General of UGT-PV; Ana García, General Secretary of CCOO-PV; and Salvador Navarro, president of CEV, along with other regional leaders who supported the plan.