The Government delegate in Galicia, José Miñones, announced today the new impulse of the Government of Pedro Sánchez for employment and economic activity in the 19 municipalities that are part of the agreements of As Pontes and Meirama, thanks to the new call for aid to business projects, which will mobilize 40 million euros throughout Spain. “We add opportunities for these municipalities and their population in our commitment to a fair green transition for these territories,” said the delegate.
The delegate detailed the next call for grants to promote business projects in the areas of fair transition and that will offer 40 million euros to companies and entrepreneurs from the Spanish municipalities that are part of these processes. At its meeting yesterday, the Council of Ministers authorized the Institute for the Just Transition (autonomous body of the Ministry for the Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge) to process this line of aid, a necessary step that anticipates an imminent opening of the call.
José Miñones recalled that the bases of this aid were published in the Official State Gazette of 16 December, so that all interested persons have the necessary information on the conditions of this aid and the application procedure. In addition, he recalled that the Government has a Fair Transition Office in As Pontes to advise on the submission of applications and to accompany them in their processing.
City Council Support
José Miñones stressed that this line for companies adds to the specific support that the Government designed for the local governments of the 19 municipalities of A Coruña and Lugo included in the two areas of Galicia affected by the processes of closure of thermal power plants: Area of Meirama (municipalities of Cerdeda, Ordes, Carral, Tordoia and A Laracha) and Area of As Pontes (As Pontes, A Capela, Xermade, San Sadurniño, As Somozas, Mañón, Monfero, Moeche, Cerdido, Vilalba, Cabanas, Ortigueira, Muras and Ferrol).
He recalled that last week the Government resolved the aid for social, environmental and cultural projects in municipalities of the Just Transition Zones. A call that in Galicia benefits 14 municipalities, which will be able to carry out 17 projects of public interest with 12.4 million euros of state investment.
“This list can be extended in the coming months, since the Government is going to open a new call for 25 million euros, to which these municipalities can be presented with those projects that did not enter into this resolution,” explained the delegate. In total, both calls mobilize more than 116 million euros for the whole of Spain.
Investment and Employment Grants
The aim of this support line is to promote concrete business investment initiatives in the areas affected by the energy transition. It seeks to generate alternative economic activities that encourage the creation of jobs, as well as maintain existing jobs that promote a new economic development in these territories.
The aid granted by this instrument will be based on two components: the investment made and job creation. Likewise, the hiring of people registered in the Fair Transition Institute’s job boards will be rewarded, with the aim of promoting the creation of priority employment for workers affected by the closure of mines and power plants. Likewise, the creation of jobs for women, young people, people over 45 years of age and people with disabilities will be rewarded.
To qualify for these grants, business projects must have a minimum investment of 100,000 euros and create at least three jobs.
Valuation of environmental and social benefits
For the allocation of aid, the environmental and social benefits of the projects, their employability, their tractive effect on the territory, their innovation and their location in municipalities affected by depopulation, the demographic challenge and the closure of coal mines and power plants will be assessed. Small and medium-sized enterprises will also have an additional score.