The Catalan government will launch a dedicated support office to help small municipalities in the Barcelona vegueria access European Union funds, particularly those with fewer than 20,000 inhabitants. The initiative was announced on Tuesday 20th October 2026 by Jaume Duch, Minister for European Union and External Action, during a meeting with mayors at the Sindicatura de Comptes.
Duch explained that many small town councils lack the technical capacity or information needed to apply for EU funding, especially now that Next Generation EU funds have been “practically exhausted” and no short-term successor is expected. The new office will provide intensive support throughout the entire project lifecycle, from initial idea development and proposal drafting to partner search, submission, execution, and reporting.
“A los ayuntamientos son pequeños muchas veces les resulta difícil contar con los medios técnicos e incluso con la información necesaria para poder aprovechar las vías de financiación europeas que están abiertas y a su disposición,”
said Duch, stressing the need for direct assistance to level the playing field.
The support aims to boost participation in competitive EU programmes managed directly by the European Commission, which often require complex applications and strong project design. According to the minister, these funds “more than being requested, must be fought for in Brussels,” underscoring the proactive approach now being taken.
Currently, a subsidy call worth one million euros is funding internationalisation projects across Catalonia, covering up to 75% of eligible costs. Applications have already been submitted by municipalities including Caldes de Montbui, Masquefa, Sant Quirze del Vallès, Sant Boi de Llobregat, and Sant Feliu, alongside broader metropolitan initiatives. These are now under evaluation.
2027 Funding Lines Announced
A new call for 2027 will introduce three distinct funding lines. The first, for internationalisation strategies and plans, will offer between €10,000 and €25,000 per project. A second line for technical cooperation and knowledge exchange will allocate between €16,000 and €60,000. The third, targeting projects with territorial impact, will provide subsidies ranging from €32,000 to €120,000 per proposal.
The initiative forms part of a broader strategy to promote the “internationalisation of Catalan town councils,” reflecting the administration’s pro-European and municipalist stance. With over 70% of Catalan municipalities classified as small or very small, the government aims to ensure equitable access to EU funding opportunities beyond larger urban centres.
What This Means for Residents
Local councils in smaller towns across the Barcelona vegueria will gain stronger capacity to launch cross-border projects in areas such as sustainability, digital innovation, and cultural exchange. Residents may see new infrastructure, mobility schemes, or community programmes funded through these channels in the coming years. Councils can prepare by identifying local needs and potential partnerships ahead of the 2027 calls.
Reported by metropoliabierta.cat, elperiodico.com, Metrópoli Abierta (CA).
