The Generalitat allocates 1.56 million to 36 municipalities at risk of depopulation

The Second Vice-Presidency has published the resolution of aid for 36 Valencian localities at risk of depopulation, totalling €1,556,549.

The Valencian Generalitat, through the Second Vice-Presidency and the Ministry of the Presidency, has allocated €1,556,549 to 36 municipalities at risk of depopulation to finance municipal works and equipment. The resolution was published this Wednesday in the Official Journal of the Valencian Generalitat (DOGV), as reported by the Second Vice-President and Minister of the Presidency, José Díez.

This is the first time this line of aid has been called, covering 100% of the cost of the requested actions. The projects include the rehabilitation of facades and roofs of public buildings, improvements in accessibility, pavement adjustments, acquisition and replacement of equipment for playgrounds, and conditioning of public spaces.

Díez explained that the aim is to collaborate with the municipalities so they can improve infrastructure and public services, in order to retain and attract population to the smaller municipalities. All beneficiaries have an annual municipal budget of less than €600,000, reflecting their limited capacity for self-resources.

Of the 36 municipalities, 23 belong to the province of Castellón, 9 to Valencia, and 4 to Alicante. In Castellón, the localities are Castell de Cabres, Villores, Zorita del Maestrat, Argelita, Fuentes de Ayódar, Herbers, Almedíjar, Xodos, Ludiente, Palanques, Vallat, La Torre d'en Besora, Gaibiel, Benafigos, Ares del Maestrat, Azuébar, Arañuel, Aín, Castellfort, Castillo de Villamalefa, El Toro, Zucaina, and Alcudia de Veo.

In the province of Valencia, the municipalities are Vallanca, Castielfabib, Montixelvo, Otos, Carrícola, Aielo de Rugat, Sot de Chera, Beniatjar, and Rugat. In Alicante, the aid has been granted to Penàguila, Fageca, Alcoleja, and Bolulla.

All these municipalities are recognised as being at risk of depopulation according to Law 5/2023 of the Generalitat, which considers factors such as low population density, loss of inhabitants, negative vegetative growth, or ageing, as well as municipalities with less intense demographic difficulties that require specific support.

The 2026 call has been positively evaluated by the mayors of the beneficiary localities, who see this aid as an opportunity to improve the quality of life for their residents and curb population loss. The actions must be executed within the deadlines established by the resolution.