The Tenerife Island Council has given the green light to a budget of 10 million euros to support projects promoting employment within the island’s municipalities, as announced yesterday by the island’s president, Rosa Dávila, and the fifth vice-president, Águeda Fumero.
Dávila stated that Tenerife has seen an increase of 14,000 employed individuals compared to a year ago, with the unemployment rate dropping by 5.5%, reflecting the island’s strengthened economy. The 10 million euros will be allocated based on agreed criteria within the Canary Islands Federation of Municipalities (Fecam), giving priority to municipalities with fewer than 5,000 residents.
The schemes will focus on engaging individuals under 30 years old and those facing long-term unemployment, with a minimum requirement of 50% female hires. The funding will facilitate the training of approximately 1,000 individuals, with 750 securing employment contracts within their municipalities for local and socially beneficial projects.
Fumero highlighted an increase of 972,000 euros to enhance social service provisions through the Institute for Social and Socio-Care. 850,000 euros have been designated for the Insular Social Policies Network. Existing network members will benefit from a 20% funding boost, while 300,000 euros have been set aside for ten new entrants. An additional 128,000 euros will be given to the Provivienda entity.
He also announced the allocation of two plots in La Laguna for constructing a centre for disabled individuals (Los Baldíos) and another for the elderly (La Hornera), along with emergency social housing assistance amounting to 500,000 euros for the municipal councils. The contract for the Plaza de la Basílica de Candelaria renovation project has been awarded to Construcciones Sánchez Domínguez-Sando for 16.2 million euros. The renovation work, set to be completed within 36 months, will cover the seafront and surrounding the square. Additionally, a tender for road improvements on TF-28 (Arona) and TF-334 (Los Realejos) worth 3.8 million euros has been approved.
Meanwhile, the president of the island’s PSOE, Pedro Martín, expressed concerns over the seven-month delay in approving the 10 million euros for employment initiatives, which may not be accessible until the year’s end.
