The Basque Country government has allocated 8 million euros to cover school transport costs for families in the region.

The Basque Government has today approved an allocation of 8 million euro to cover the cost of school transport for Basque families.

The Council has approved two types of aid, according to the spokesperson, Maria Ubarretxena. On the one hand, individual aid for pupils attending public schools who cannot adapt to the timetables organised by the Department, and aid for pupils attending private schools exceptionally, on the recommendation of the Education Commission or because there is no public school in their area.

International Day of the Basque Language

Ubarretxena announced that today, 3 December, on the occasion of the International Day of the Basque Language, an official ceremony will be held in the afternoon at the Euskalduna Palace in Bilbao, presided over by the President. Referring to the manifesto for the International Day of the Basque Language Euskararen geroa ehunduz, the spokesperson stressed that the exercise of the Basque language is the responsibility of all people, public institutions and social actors.

Technological Solutions for Municipalities

The government has approved the renewal of the agreement with EUDEL, which allows local entities to access free technological solutions to improve their efficiency.

In return for adherence to the framework agreement, municipalities will be granted the opportunity to install sensors free of charge up to 1000 devices. This will facilitate the collection and use of data, which will in turn enable modernisation of municipal management.

The sensors will be capable of recording data on a range of variables, including traffic patterns, container use and parking occupancy. The Basque Government has allocated 300,000 euros to provide financial support for this type of initiative.

Furthermore, this agreement will provide local administrations with access to the Basque Government's telecommunications infrastructure, which is managed by Itelazpi.

Maria Ubarretxea highlighted that collaboration with Itelazpi is already enabling consortiums to digitise the water cycle. Another option is to implement remote reading systems that streamline billing, leakage control and water demand management.

Itelazpi is the Basque public company responsible for the management of public telecommunications infrastructures in the Basque Country.

Cultural Promotion Aid

Furthermore, the Council approved two aid programmes for the promotion of the performing arts and cultural creativity, with a total value of 1,330,000 euros.

As outlined by the Government Spokesperson, 825,000 euros has been earmarked for the implementation of training, promotional and exhibition programmes for the performing arts (theatre, dance and circus) throughout 2025.

Furthermore, the Department of Culture and Language Policy will allocate an additional 500,000 euros in funding to support cultural creation activities across the following areas:

• Production of original theatre texts
• Creation of film scripts
• Musical compositions
• Literary texts in Basque aimed at young people
• Choreographies

Draft Law on the Professional Association of Environmentalists

Furthermore, the Governing Council has approved the draft bill for the establishment of the Basque Professional Association of Environmental Science Graduates.

As stated by the Government Spokesperson, the establishment of this College will facilitate the professional practice of environmentalists, ensuring the rigour and quality of the services they provide.

The Department of Governance, Digital Services and Local Government has prepared this draft bill at the request of the IZE-Euskadi Association of Environmentalists for submission to Parliament for subsequent approval.

Annual recruitment plan of 514 million euros 

The Basque Councillor for Finance presented the Basque General Administration's Annual Procurement Plan for 2025 today. It is estimated that 223 contracts with an estimated value of 514 million euros will be signed.

This Plan encompasses those contracts that, due to their value, are subject to harmonised regulation and compliance with the rules and procedures established by the European Union.

400 million euros to Euskal Fondoa and to UNHCR

The Spokesperson also announced a subsidy of 340,000 euros to Euskal Fondoa. The objective is to secure the necessary funding to implement the annual water and sanitation development plan.

The funds will be invested in the implementation of a sustainable model of drinking water supply in several municipalities in El Salvador.

Furthermore, the Councillor outlined that the green light has been given to the granting of a direct subsidy of 50,000 euros to UNHCR for the protection and emergency aid to the refugee and displaced population due to the conflict in Ukraine.