SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE, 16th May. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The Canarian Government and the Canarian Federation of Municipalities (Fecam) have reached an agreement on Thursday to coordinate working groups aimed at implementing measures to promote economic and social growth in the 47 municipalities with fewer than 10,000 inhabitants.
This was announced by the President of the Canary Islands, Fernando Clavijo, following a meeting with the mayors lasting nearly three hours, during which the groundwork was laid for updating the sustainable rural development plan, originally from 2010, which now requires adaptation by the end of the year to address demographic challenges.
Initially, the Fecam’s existing work structure, which includes sectoral commissions, will be utilised to integrate representatives from the Canarian Government as well as economic and social stakeholders to assess the needs of the municipalities.
Clavijo has praised the “collaboration and willingness” shown by the municipalities to embrace a “new working methodology” that requires “coordination” among all levels of government, as demographic challenges are “intrinsic” to the economy and public services.
He highlighted that each municipality faces different circumstances, and solutions cannot be one-size-fits-all, emphasising the need for tailor-made measures that can be implemented in the upcoming budgets of both local councils and the regional government.
Vice President and Minister of Economy, Manuel Domínguez, commended the joint effort of the Government and Fecam, stressing the uneven demographic growth across the Canary Islands, necessitating actions to maintain population balance and prevent excessive concentration in already congested areas.
Fecam President, Mari Brito, underlined the importance of ensuring equal opportunities for all Canarian residents, regardless of their location, and thus, a specific strategy is being devised to infuse a demographic perspective into all public policies.
Within the sectoral commissions of Fecam, discussions will encompass areas such as the economy, regulatory adjustments to meet the needs of smaller municipalities for better access to subsidies or financing, job creation, tourism, housing availability, and transportation.
Brito stressed the need to solidify the work of the commissions with concrete proposals and co-governance, identifying required resources to ensure that commitments translate into tangible outcomes.
Special attention was placed on improving mobility and accessibility in these municipalities, as achieving full connectivity, both physical and digital, is crucial for enhancing rural heritage.
“If we overlook the local dimension, the essence of the Canary Islands will fade; it is essential for all of us to work together towards a common goal,” she remarked.
