29th March 2024
Spanish PM Pedro Sánchez and EU Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen
Barcelona News Business Catalonia News Economy & Employment Madrid News Main News

Spain gets first tranche of €9 billion in ‘Next Gen’ EU Covid recovery funds

Spain on Tuesday received its first tranche of €9 billion from the EU Recovery Fund set up to help the bloc recover from the Covid pandemic and make its economy greener and more digitalised.

The €9 billion to Spain is ‘pre-financing, equivalent to 13% of the country’s financial allocation under the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF)’, the European Commission said in a statement. ‘The pre-financing payment will help to kick-start the implementation of the crucial investment and reform measures outlined in Spain’s recovery and resilience plan.’

The RRF will disburse the entire funding over the period 20212026. A total of €672.5 billion will support investments and reforms across the whole of the EU, with Spain receiving the second largest amount of funding, behind Italy. The country is actually set to receive €140 billion over the period 2021-2026 – half in grants (€69.5 billion) and half in loans, after the entire EU’s economy buckled under lockdown restrictions, job losses and reduced consumer spending.

The EU Commission will authorise further disbursements to Spain based on the implementation of the investments and reforms outlined in the country’s recovery and resilience plan.

Tuesday’s disbursement follows the recent successful implementation of the first borrowing operations under Next Generation EU. By the end of the year, the EU Commission intends to raise up to a total of €80 billion in long-term funding, to be complemented by short-term EU-bills, to fund the first planned disbursements to member states under Next Generation EU.  

Spanish PM Pedro Sánchez and EU Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen
Spanish PM Pedro Sánchez and EU Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen, on 16 June 2021. (Pool Moncloa / Fernando Calvo)

‘The Spanish plan is part of the unprecedented EU response to emerge stronger from the Covid-19 crisis, fostering the green and digital transitions and strengthening resilience and cohesion in our societies,’ the EU’s statement read.

‘The RRF in Spain finances investments and reforms that are expected to have a deeply transformative effect on Spain’s economy and society,’ it said, listing some of the projects:

  • Securing the green transition: The plan includes an ambitious law on climate change and energy transition, enshrining the renewable targets for 2030 and climate neutrality by 2050, including a 100% renewable electricity system. The plan will also support innovative renewable energy sources with €3.9 billion and includes €3.4 billion to support more than half a million energy efficiency renovations in residential buildings.
  • Supporting the digital transition: The plan contributes to the digitalisation of SMEs and the self-employed with €3 billion. Measures worth €3.6 billion will improve the level of digital skills of the population and the digital transformation of education. €3.2 billion will be invested in the digitalisation of the public administration.
  • Reinforcing economic and social resilience: The plan will invest €2.4 billion in reducing the use of temporary contracts in the labour market, improving individual support to jobseekers, as well as training opportunities and better hiring incentives. Nearly €2.8 billion will be invested in reducing youth unemployment and improving vocational training by creating at least 135,000 new places in vocational education. Additional measures will strengthen the effectiveness of public policies and modernise the tax system.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said in a statement: ‘Today’s disbursement is a decisive moment for Spain and its people, kicking off the implementation of the recovery and resilience plan. This plan was “made in Spain” to emerge stronger from the crisis and invest in a sustainable and more digital recovery. I am convinced that Spain’s ambitious plan will provide a crucial push for the European Green Deal to become a reality, it will further digitalise the economy and it will make Spain more resilient than ever. We stand ready to support you in each step of the way.’

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez tweeted: ‘The EU Commission has already delivered to Spain the first 9 billion euros for the pre-financing of the Recovery Plan. We continue to advance towards a greener, more digital, feminist and cohesive country, launching the great transformations that our economy needs.’

ALSO READ: Sánchez: ‘Economic Recovery Plan most ambitious in Spain’s recent history’

ALSO READ: EU endorses Spain’s recovery plans, with details of €69.5 billion package

ALSO READ: Spain receives EU funding to bring super fast internet to rural locations

Sign up for the FREE Weekly Newsletter from Spain in English.

Please support Spain in English with a donation.

Click here to get your business activity or services listed on our DIRECTORY.

Click here for further details on how to ADVERTISE with us.

Booking.com

Recent Posts

Spanish prosecutors seek 2.5 year sentence for Rubiales’ World Cup kiss and coercion

News Desk

Spain’s Guardia Civil detain man for allegedly promoting IS terror online

News Desk

Spanish government takes 3% stake in Telefónica after Saudi deal concerns

News Desk

Vinícius breaks down while talking about racist insults he’s suffered in Spain

News Desk

Dani Alves released after paying €1m bail, awaiting appeal of rape conviction

News Desk

Spain’s High Court halts temporary suspension order of Telegram’s services

News Desk

Leave a Comment