The Basque Government has given the green light to the establishment of the Basque Town Planning and Housing Forum

The Basque Government has today approved the creation of the Basque Town Planning and Housing Forum at the Governing Council. This consultative and participatory space will bring together public, private and social agents for the design and development of housing policies.

As outlined by the Regional Minister for Housing and the Urban Agenda, Denis Itxaso, “this space will be instrumental in coordinating the efforts of various stakeholders, fostering collaborative work dynamics that will drive progress on effective solutions.”

The Forum will convene for the first time on Wednesday, 22 January, for an inaugural plenary session. This session will focus on three key areas for development: the evaluation of the 2006 Basque Land Law, the role of industrialisation in modernising the construction sector, and innovation in public-private collaboration and financing models.

One of the initial measures to be pursued by the Forum will be the identification of initiatives designed to streamline and invigorate land management practices.

In accordance with the approved decree, the Forum will comprise 54 members, including representatives of the Basque Government, local councils, the private sector, associations and citizens' groups.

Public Employment Offer of 4,000 vacancies

The Governing Council has today approved the Public Employment Offer for 2024, which will create almost 4,000 new jobs. As stated by the Spokesperson and Regional Minister of Governance, Digital Administration and Autonomy, Maria Ubarretxena, “the government is taking another step forward to promote stable public employment, ensuring generational renewal and guaranteeing quality public services with the creation of 3,949 new positions.”

The following vacancies are anticipated for the following posts:

• 1,046 places in education
• 525 places for Ertzaintza [Basque police force] officers.
• 420 posts for the General Administration of the Autonomous Community of the Basque Country and its Autonomous Bodies
• 23 posts for the Community Support Officers in Security Services
• And 1,935 positions in public bodies governed by the law of the Institutional Administration of the Autonomous Community of the Basque Country, as well as in the instrumental entities of the public sector.

These positions will be offered through a public call for proposals to be implemented over the next three years (2025-2027).

The spokesperson, Maria Ubarretxena, highlighted that the Basque Government will conclude 2024 with the consolidation of approximately 3,400 positions within the General Administration of the Autonomous Community of the Basque Country.

Following the stabilisation of positions, the finalisation of the new devolved competences and the issuance of new special operations, the government will ensure the replacement of personnel across generations and reduce structural vacancies to below 8 per cent.

17 million for public transport discounts

Furthermore, the Governing Council has approved direct subsidies of 17.3 million euros to offset discounts on public transportation in the Basque Country, as proposed by Basque Councillor for Sustainable Mobility Susana García.

The funds will be allocated to the provincial and town councils to offset the impact of this year's public transport discounts.

The Government Spokesperson has announced that the Basque Country will maintain a 50 percent subsidy for public transport in 2024. The state has provided 30% of the funding, with the remaining 20% assumed by the government and regional and local administrations.

Maria Ubarretxena stated that, since the discounts were introduced in September 2022, the Basque Government has set aside 41.7 million euros to subsidise local operators in the Basque Country, with the aim of covering part of the public transport subsidies.

84 million in guarantees to Elkargi

The Governing Council has approved the formalisation of two agreements with Elkargi, whereby the Executive will provide a guarantee of up to 80 million euros to secure loans for this entity.

As stated by the Government Spokesperson, “these agreements ensure that, above all, small- and medium-sized Basque companies can continue to access financing under the best possible terms to develop their activities.”

This decision demonstrates the Basque Government's ongoing commitment to supporting the Basque business community in the current economic climate. This initiative forms part of a wider government support programme measures implemented this year.

Aid for vineyard conversion

The Governing Council has approved a programme for the restructuring and reconversion of vineyards, proposed by the Regional Minister of Food, Rural Development, Agriculture and Fisheries, Amaia Barredo. This programme is made possible thanks to funding from the European Union.

As outlined by the Government Spokeswoman, these subsidies will be accessible to winegrowers whose vineyards are designated for wine grape production and who adhere to the prevailing planting regulations across all areas of their holdings.

The budget allocation will be determined by the amount allocated to the Basque Country by the Sectoral Conference on Agriculture.