Almansa takes a firm step towards sustainable development with the presentation of its candidacy for FEDER funds, within the Integrated Sustainable Urban Development Strategy (EDUSI). This was announced at a press conference by the European Funds Councilor, Pablo Sánchez, and Pilar Callado, Mayor of Almansa, who detailed that the proposal will be submitted next week after its approval in the municipal council.
An ambitious project to transform the city
Sánchez explained that Castilla-La Mancha will receive 85% of the FEDER funds, 5% more than in the previous edition. Almansa, as an intermediate city with 24,000 inhabitants, can request up to 15 million euros, but has decided to opt for a prudent amount of 12 million. «We are competing with 11 cities in the region in a competitive process, so it is crucial to adhere to the criteria of the call,» he said.
The councilor detailed that the projects presented must align with the objectives of the 2030 Agenda, highlighting environmental sustainability, sustainable mobility, social cohesion, urban revitalization, and digitalization.
Four major projects for Almansa
The proposal for Almansa is structured around four axes:
- Urban and territorial planning: Improvement of accessibility in key areas, such as the Almansa Castle and the remodeling of the fairgrounds with an outdoor auditorium.
- Green infrastructure and urban resilience: Creation of a municipal photovoltaic park, development of the green belt, and establishment of climate shelters in green areas.
- Competitiveness and economic development: Improvement of the commercial environment, promotion of commerce (open shopping center), tourist digitalization, creation of smart tourist infrastructures, and Youth Scholarships.
- People and social cohesion: Creation of rental housing, expansion of the Alzheimer’s Day Center, Smart City Almansa to integrate urban services and improve management.
Almansa Mayor, Pilar Callado, highlighted the project’s ambition and the intense work of the past months. «We have carefully adhered to the call requirements to maximize our funding options. We expect a favorable resolution in about six months,» she said.
Callado also emphasized citizen participation in the plan development, with working groups involving associations, experts, citizens, and various municipal areas. She also praised the execution capacity of the current government team, which in its first year has managed almost two million euros in European funds, three times more than the previous government’s annual average.
«This is a solid and transformative project. If we secure the funding we expect, Almansa will experience a significant change that will improve the quality of life of its citizens and its positioning as a sustainable and modern city,» concluded the mayor.