Ester Mbomio Lagar
Periodista
Valencia aspires to become a hub of green practices. In line with the Spanish presidency of the European Council, the city is committed to fortifying its European relationships and active engagement in European funding programs.
Paula Llobet Vilarrasa, the Councilor for Economy and Major Projects at the City Council of Valencia in Spain, recently embarked on her first official trip to the European capital, Brussels, after assuming her role on May 8th, 2023, following the municipal elections. During her visit, she met with the Vice President of the European Commission and subsequently paid a visit to the offices of the Spanish-Belgium Foundation Finnova EU.
This visit facilitated the establishment of a space for discussion and identified Valencia’s future-oriented values. With a strong focus on sustainability, Valencia seeks to leverage European funding programs to drive its environmental agenda forward.
Through NextGenerationEU, the city intends to access vital funding opportunities that will accelerate its transition towards a greener future while fostering economic recovery. The LIFE Programme serves as a platform for the city of Valencia to implement and showcase innovative environmental projects, paving the way for a more sustainable and eco-conscious society.
Likewise, Valencia’s active participation in Horizon Europe enables it to tap into cutting-edge research, innovation, and collaborative initiatives. By joining efforts with European and international private-public partners, the city aims to address pressing environmental challenges such as wildfires and promote sustainable development in various fields. Additionally, Valencia’s involvement in Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs empowers the city’s aspiring entrepreneurs to connect and foster cross-border collaboration and knowledge exchange.
This ambitious vision is further fueled by its pursuit of the “Neutral City Seal,” in line with the European Commission’s initiative “One Hundred Smart and Climate-Neutral Cities by 2030“. The city was selected among one hundred cities to participate in this EU mission, as announced on April 28. Through the implementation of a comprehensive “climate contract” that encompasses various urban development strategies and innovative initiatives, Valencia is actively taking substantial steps towards transforming itself into a smarter, more innovative, and environmentally friendly urban center on its path to achieving climate neutrality. By embracing this mission, Valencia is poised to shape a future defined by environmental consciousness, groundbreaking innovation, and fruitful collaborations with European partners.
Spain’s priorities for Europe
Spain boasts remarkable characteristics: with a population of 47,415,750 and an area of 505,970 km2, it is home to the single natural desert within the European Union—the Tabernas Desert. Furthermore, Spain takes pride in having the longest operational high-speed train network in Europe (spanning over 4,000 km). Additionally, Restaurante Botín, founded in 1725, stands as the world’s oldest continuously operating restaurant, adding to Spain’s rich cultural and gastronomic heritage.
The start of the fifth Spanish presidency of the Council of the European Union on July 1st, 2023, marks a significant leadership role for Spain within the EU. Throughout its presidency, Spain will play a pivotal role in shaping and driving the European Union’s agenda. This includes facilitating discussions and negotiations on crucial issues such as economic recovery, climate change, digital transformation, and strengthening the EU’s global role.
Spain has set four main priorities for the EU: reindustrialization of the EU, advancing in the ecological transition, social and economic justice, and strengthening European unity. These areas will be the focus of Spain’s efforts to promote its agenda and contribute to the overall progress and development of the EU.
Carmen Bermúdez Rojas-Marcos, Education Councilor for the Education, Youth, Culture, and Sports Council (EJCD) of the Permanent Representation of Spain to the EU, emphasized during a meeting with Finnova Foundation the key priorities in education: Promotion of European values, Strengthening inclusion, and Digitalization. To achieve these objectives, working groups have been established to process and manage non-legislative documentation, aiming to accelerate progress. A Digital Education Plan has also been introduced in alignment with the Recovery and Resilience Plan 2021, with implementation progressing as laws are approved.
The Spanish presidency presents an important opportunity for Spain to contribute its expertise, promote its priorities, and foster cooperation and consensus among member states to achieve shared goals. To monitor its progress and updates visit the official portal: https://spanish-presidency.consilium.europa.eu/es/
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