The Cabildo has allocated €10 million in grants aimed at the 31 municipalities to promote municipal projects that create jobs, encourage sustainability, and improve public services. This initiative from the Employment, Education, and Youth Department will finance actions aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and tailored to the needs of each municipality. The call seeks to ensure that municipalities develop projects that have a direct impact on their territories, capable of generating job opportunities and contributing to economic and social development on the island. The previous funding line enabled the hiring of 521 people, according to the island’s government.

Eligible Projects for Funding

Eligible projects for funding include enhancing natural and cultural heritage, energy efficiency, renewable energies, sustainability education, efficient use of information and communication technology, waste management improvement, freshwater supply and treatment, local tourism promotion, and strengthening social welfare services.

Technical Quality Enhancement Requirements

One of the new features is the incorporation of requirements to improve the technical quality of projects. Municipalities must ensure the hiring of a minimum percentage of qualified personnel, which will vary according to the municipality’s population. In locations with up to 10,000 inhabitants, the requirement is 25%; in municipalities with between 10,001 and 30,000 inhabitants, it is 40%; and in those exceeding this number, it is 50%.

Priority for Unemployed Women Over 18

The programme will hire unemployed individuals over 18 years of age. Furthermore, women must comprise at least 50% of the hires made under the funded projects. Priority will also be given to youths under 30, including long-term unemployed and first-time job seekers, as well as individuals over 30 who have been unemployed for a long time.

Statements from Officials on Employment Initiatives

The island’s councillor for Employment, Education, and Youth, Efraín Medina, defended that these investments should serve not only to create immediate jobs but also to enhance employability through training, guidance, and work experience.

The President of the Cabildo of Tenerife, Rosa Dávila, highlighted that this investment represents “a strategic commitment to a more sustainable, inclusive island better equipped to face future economic and social challenges.” Dávila emphasized that the goal is for each municipality to have the tools necessary to launch initiatives that improve citizens’ quality of life, generate employment, and contribute to building a “more resilient and cohesive” Tenerife. She stressed the importance of collaboration between the Cabildo and municipalities to ensure these policies have a meaningful impact on the population. She believes local administrations play a crucial role as development agents, given their firsthand knowledge of the demands of each territory. She explained that funded projects should not simply reinforce the ordinary tasks of municipalities but must become concrete actions with added value.

Medina reiterated that employment continues to be a priority for the Cabildo and that this call allows for a combination of creating job opportunities with the improvement of municipalities and the move towards a more sustainable development model. The grants will finance 100% of the costs of the eligible projects, up to the maximum limit set for each municipality.