Almost a year has passed since February when the Generalitat (Regia) Interest Group Registration began. The aim was clear: compile a list of lobbyists working in the Valencian Community, those who sought to defend interests within Valencian territory. This step marked another phase in transparency education and a fresh clash between botanical and related establishments. The registration process took three years from the law’s ratification in 2018 to the implementing decree.
After the disputes subsided, the platform opened and organizations started registering. Since then, the Ministry of Transparency has enrolled 611 interest groups, with 318 volunteers signing up for three months.
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The Regia rollout, like other transparency tools, signals a shift in governance culture. The registration system is showing that more than 600 registrants participate, which helps both the registrants and ordinary citizens understand how public decisions are made and how policies are drawn.
Business associations were quick to question the initiative’s practicality, doubting whether Generalitat possessed the resources to make the information truly useful. In response, a ministry official framed the situation with realism. The launch year focused on explaining how the system works and on educating those who must register about what to do and why.
Ministry data indicate that only Catalonia, the Community of Madrid, and Castilla-La Mancha maintain records of interest groups. Valencian Community thus becomes the fourth region to launch such a registry.
Officials emphasize that associations, especially commercial ones, have embraced the tool, registering willingly. The goal is to create a framework where no one can fraudulently secure public contracts or obtain subsidies without proper oversight.
The Provincial Council remains cautious about publicly linking lobbies to the institutions involved.
The leader from We Can sees this registry as another step toward transparency, while also serving as a safeguard for public integrity and efficient use of public resources. It supports fair competition among companies.
Data
With Regia becoming mandatory for any association, organization, or individual seeking a meeting with a senior regional official, the current roster includes 611 people. About 90 percent fall into category 2 (business, commercial, or professional bodies) and category 3 (non-governmental organizations). Notable entries include large employers and groups that end with names such as ANSWER and Hosbec or Ibiae.
Regional distribution shows 107 entries in Alicante province, 50 in Castellón, 356 in Valencia, with the rest concentrated in Madrid and Barcelona. In Alicante, lobby activity centers on tourism, including associations labeled as Tourist Apartments, Alicante Cruises, and Golf Courses.
Other observations note the presence of only one neighborhood association, Tabarca’s, and a handful of companies plus one national association (Spanish Vegetarian Association UVE).
Regulatory footprint
The core issue goes beyond relationships to how knowledge is used. Transparency advocates for data cross-referencing so that, in the end, the focus is on identifying topics being addressed, a capability that remains distant for now.
The Regia framework explains how this information flow will work, but making it a reality depends on publishing all data and automating transitions to reveal insights.
Critics also point out that the law and the registry apply to Generalitat and may exclude Valencia’s courts, municipalities with regulatory autonomy, and perhaps larger city councils from full participation.