The delegate for Finance and European Funds of the Provincial Council of Córdoba, Ana Rosa Ruz, reported on the investment allocated to European projects. As of the end of June this year, 19 co-financed projects have been completed and justified, representing a total investment of 23.1 million euros, of which 20.5 million were European grants.
In the current period 2021-2027, work is underway on the execution of 13 European projects, including programs such as Interreg Poctep, EDIL Plans, and the European Social Fund Plus. These grants aim to be a driving force for the province's municipalities, creating new development opportunities for citizens.
Among the projects under development is ‘Camino Vertical’ within the Interreg Poctep 2021-2027 program, which seeks to enhance the value, accessibility, and sustainable promotion of the Western Iberian Jacobean Routes. This project has a total budget of 2,613,595 euros and involves 12 partners, including actions for signage and promotion of the Mozarabic Way of St. James in Córdoba with an amount of 278,939.19 euros.
Another notable project is ‘Córdoba Verde’, funded by the European Social Fund through the Empleaverde+ program of the Biodiversity Foundation, with an allocation of 630,000 euros aimed at specialized training in food sustainability, biodiversity, and agroecology.
The ‘Interfame’ project, with a budget of 2.5 million euros, focuses on the comprehensive therapeutic intervention for minors with behavioral problems in vulnerable families. Through the Provincial Institute for Social Welfare (IPBS), more than 100 children and adolescents will be assisted, funded by the Social Fund for early assessment and treatment of these minors.
The IPBS is also working on the active inclusion of people at risk of exclusion through socio-labor insertion pathways in Peñarroya-Pueblonuevo and Baena, as part of the Andalusian Regional Strategy for Social Cohesion and Inclusion (ERACIS +) and funded by the European Social Fund Plus and the Regional Government of Andalusia.
The ‘Agrosocial’ and ‘Agrosocial plus’ projects, co-financed by the Cross-border Program Spain-Portugal Interreg POCTEP 2021-2027, aim to boost the social economy ecosystem in the agri-food sector of the cross-border regions.
Other projects with European funds include the treatment of the selective organic fraction at the environmental complex in Montalbán (managed by Epremasa), the construction of energy-efficient protected housing (by Grupo Cinco), the valorization of secondary raw materials in Peñarroya-Pueblonuevo, and the CordobIA program (developed by Iprodeco).
The Integrated Action Plans for Pozoblanco-Los Pedroches and Sierra Morena Cordobesa arise from joint work with the town councils to advance towards common objectives.
Among the projects already completed are the promotion of Energy Communities, selective collection of biowaste in Dos Torres, digitalization of the integral water cycle, control of supply water usage, and the creation of tourism experiences focused on Olive Oil Tourism.
In the area of social services, programs such as Vincúlate, Puerta a Puerta, and socio-labor reintegration programs with a focus on childhood have been implemented.
The delegate for Finance and European Programs highlighted the advisory and consultancy service on European funds available on the website proyectoseuropeos.dipucordoba.es. This service has handled 111 inquiries from town councils and entities, based on information, advice, training, and project design support. Additionally, over 100 open calls have been disseminated.
