The Governing Council has approved 40.3 million euros in aid for Basque farmers.

• The interventions, which were financed by the European Agricultural Guarantee Fund (EAGF) through direct payments, are included in the CAP 2023-2027. Consequently, those who applied for support in 2023 will be able to receive the funds this week.
• Furthermore, the call for scholarships for higher education studies in the academic year 2024-2025 has been approved for 28.5 million euros, an increase of 5 million euros from the previous call.

This morning, María Ubarretxena, Councillor for Governance, Digital Administration and Self-Government and Spokesperson for the Government, delivered the inaugural press conference following the Governing Council of the 13th Legislature. In her address, she provided an overview of the principal resolutions adopted at the meeting. She was accompanied by the Vice President of the Basque Country and Minister for Economy, Labour and Employment, Mikel Torres.

Among the agreements adopted, the Spokeswoman drew attention to the contribution of 40.3 million for farmers. The financial contribution was made in the form of direct payments made through the three Provincial Councils. By territorial division, Alava has been allotted 22,805,844.70 euros, which represents 57% of the total aid. Gipuzkoa has been allocated 9,659,318.93 euros, representing 24% of the total aid, while Bizkaia has been allotted 7,842,210.78 euros, representing 19% of the total aid. A total of 7,112 farmers are the beneficiaries of direct payments, with these contributions financing the pending interventions financed by the European Agricultural Guarantee Fund (EAGF), included in the CAP 2023-2027.

Conversely, Ubarretxena provided an account of another significant sum earmarked for the field of education, which was approved at the proposal of the Department of Science, Universities and Innovation. The call for grants for university and other higher education studies in the academic year 2024-2025, and to cover the transport costs of university students with special mobility difficulties, is a matter of particular concern.

The total sum of funding available for this call is 28.5 million euros, which represents an increase of 5 million euros compared to the previous call. However, the budget may be increased if necessary. In this manner, María Ubarretxena emphasized that, “the objective is to ensure that all students who fulfil the criteria receive the designated assistance in the stipulated amounts, irrespective of the number of applications submitted and the number of applicants designated as beneficiaries.”

OTHER AGREEMENTS ADOPTED BY THE GOVERNING COUNCIL

Conversely, the Government Spokesperson has indicated that the Governing Council has also approved this year's call for applications for Gaztemundu, a programme designed for young people from the Euskal Etxeak who aspire to spend time in the Basque Country. In this manner, as Ubarretxena elucidated, "15 young people between the ages of 18 and 35, hailing from the Basque diaspora, will undergo training in the pedagogy of Basque dances, with the objective of fostering a beneficial impact on the operational efficacy of Basque centres across the globe.” The programme forms part of the Basque Country Strategy, which, among other objectives, seeks to promote the Basque Country abroad. It was created in 1996. Since that time, over one thousand young people have undergone training.

The Governing Council also approved the call for 14 training grants for young people in External Action for 2024-2025, with a total budget of 288,000 euros.  A total of six grants will be allocated to projects within the European Union, while a further six will be directed towards the Basque Community Abroad. The remaining four grants will be distributed across External Action. All grants are intended for individuals up to the age of 28.

EMPLOYMENT DATA FOR JUNE

In a separate development, the Regional Minister of Economy, Labour and Employment, Mikel Torres, presented the preliminary findings of an analysis of employment data for June. In his address, Torres underscored the enhanced quality of the data, emphasizing that although their quantitative value is limited, their qualitative significance is considerable.