The insular counselor of the area of Employment, Socioeconomic Development and Foreign Action of the Council, Carmen Luz Baso, sums up: “Since 2020, the decline –and practically disappearance– of craft fairs has had a hard impact on the sector.” The lack of a place where they can sell the products, “has forced many professional people to park their work to dedicate themselves to other things,” Baso values.
The new line of aid to artisans and artisans aims to alleviate the effects on the productive fabric of the Island derived from the suspension of activities and the reduction of capacity as a result of the protection measures against covid-19. The grant amounts in principle to those 500,000 euros, which are expandable with 200,000 more according to the needs of the applicants.
«As everyone knows Since 2020 the holding of craft fairs has suffered a halt that has hit the sector hard». This is indicated by the Minister Baso, who adds: “Many of the fairs that the artisans of Tenerife usually attended were suspended or postponed.” Remember that “in a normal year, prior to the pandemic, an average of 26 municipal fairs were organized while today it is only 38% of those.” In addition, he adds, “we have the uncertainty that those that are planned can be carried out or not, since many were suspended in the first half of the year.” The counselor underlines: “The financial support that can be provided is essential so as not to let this flame of the island’s cultural heritage go out.”
There are two main objectives pursued by this call for aid. On the one hand, the promotion of the commercialization of local artisan production. On the other hand, encourage professionals to continue with their activity. In parallel to this, increase the level of employment, as well as the creation of companies in the sector. In addition to improving the competitiveness of those companies belonging to the sector and promoting crafts in general.
Once the extract of the call has been published in the Official Gazette of the Province (BOP) The requests will be formalized in the standardized model specifically prepared by the Cabildo for this specific line of subsidy. It is available to interested persons or entities at the electronic headquarters of the Insular Corporation, https://sede.tenerife.es in the Procedures and Services section.