Basque Country to Participate in International Francophone Conference in Quebec

The Basque Country will participate in the fifth International Francophone Conference in Quebec, bringing together 93 states from around the world.

The first Vice-Lehendakari, Ibone Bengoetxea, will travel to Canada from 22 to 24 May to attend the event.

As expressed by the Government spokesperson in the press conference, “this invitation is the fruit the rollout of the “Ça colle au basque” project with its objective of fostering Basque culture and language, promoting its presence in French-speaking countries.”

The International Conference will tackle key issues relating to the cultural and creative industries in the francophone space.

The spokesperson reminded the assembled media that the Basque Country and Quebec have in place a memorandum of understanding signed in 2017. This agreement establishes the framework for bilateral cooperation to strengthen cultural, educational, economic and scientific ties between the two territories.

€11.2m for Improvement of Rail Services in the Llanada Alavesa

The Cabinet of the Basque Government has approved the allocation of €8.2 million to improve rail services in the Llanada Alavesa in 2026 and 2027. Spokesperson Maria Ubarretxena said that the Basque Government assumed competence for commuter train services on 1 January.

This investment is in addition to the 3 million euros the Basque Government will pay to Renfe Viajeros for the commuter train services in this part of Araba/Álava. This service is expected to offer 137 weekly circulations. Renfe remains the service operator. This sum includes the subsidy on fares for travel journeys between the Araba/Álava commuter service which runs between Miranda de Ebro and Alsasua. The purpose of this is to ensure that all journeys are priced at commuter train rates rather than Middle Distance, as they have until now.

€1.11m for the Production of Movies and Series

The Cabinet of the Basque Government today approved the call for applications for subsidies for the development of feature films or mini-series in any medium. A total of €1.11 million will be invested.

As Maria Ubarretxena explained, a total of nine feature-length films were subsidised through last year’s call, among them Dos cartas, Mi papa el camión, Itzuli, Amalur profezia and Eltzegorra; and six series including Harri biguna, Iratxokeriak and Pause.

€760,000 for Literary Production

The Cabinet will allocate €760,000 to drive literary publishing in the Basque and Spanish languages.  Specifically, the spokesperson indicated, the programme approved today provides for grants of €575,000 for publications in Basque; €125,000 for publications in Spanish, as well as €60,000 for audiobook projects.

The Cabinet also gave approval to another two initiatives to support cultural developments. Specifically, €100,000 for the digitalization of the classrooms in municipal public Basque language centres.

€150,000 has also been ringfenced for activities protecting and promoting the maritime and naval cultural heritage of the Basque Country, based on its historic, cultural, archaeological and social value.

Consumer Affairs Arbitration Board of the Basque Country

The Basque Government has signed an agreement with the Spanish Government to make the Consumer Affairs Arbitration Board of the Basque Country the priority body for the resolution of consumer disputes on an extrajudicial basis.

“The Consumer Affairs Arbitration Board of the Basque Country,” Maria Ubarretxena said, “is already accredited as a body for alternative resolution of litigation.” “This Agreement, she continued, “also encompasses the Basque Country's obligation to foster institutional arbitration and raise awareness and knowledge of the Basque arbitration system; both administrations commit to exchanging information to improve the arbitration system.

€1.2m for Entrepreneurship and Tourism Competitiveness

The Cabinet of the Basque Government has approved support for entrepreneurship and to improve the competitiveness of tourism companies. This program will have a total budget of €1,285,000 to boost and drive entrepreneurship and tourism competitiveness.

The Government spokeswoman has pointed out that, among other objectives, it seeks to support the creation of new tourist businesses in the Basque Country that favour local development.

It also promotes actions aimed at boosting the competitiveness of Basque tourist companies, by supporting technological innovation, the improvement and optimization of their tourist offering and adapting to a safe, sustainable, responsible and accessible form of tourism.

€20,000 for participation in the World Police and Fire Games

The Cabinet of the Basque Government today approved a call for applications for grants for Ertzaintza officer-athletes participating in the 2025 World Police and Fire Games. A total of €20,000 has been allocated for this call.

The World Police and Fire Games will be held from 27 June to 6 July 2025 in Birmingham, Alabama in the United States.