- The Biodiversity Foundation of the Ministry for the Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge will coordinate these grants, on a competitive basis, for the renaturation and ecological restoration in the agricultural area of Doñana
- These 28.5 million euros are in addition to the 11.5 million for innovative projects for sustainability in the agricultural and forestry field, which are already being executed in the territory, bringing the total to 40 million euros that MITECO is managing in aid to the sector in the Doñana area
The Biodiversity Foundation of the Ministry for the Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge (MITECO) has published the call for grants to promote ecological renaturation and restoration in the agricultural and forestry field in the Doñana area of influence. These grants are part of the measures to support the agri-food sector in the surroundings of the natural area of the Socioeconomic Framework of Actions for Doñana of the Government of Spain. MITECO will allocate 28.5 million euros to this call, whose application period will be open until January 15, 2026.
This call is intended to support the agricultural sector to accompany it in the ecological transition through the renaturalization, reforestation and maintenance of forest uses in the agricultural environment of Doñana, which will be essential to contribute to the recovery of this enclave and adapt the uses of the territory to the existing water resources.
Beneficiaries may be natural or legal persons who are holders of rights in rem over the land on which the activity subject to the aid is carried out, as well as those who are owners of an area for agricultural use registered in the corresponding registers; and the town councils of municipalities located in the area of influence of the Doñana Natural Area. These entities must comply with the legal requirements, maintain the conditions of renaturalization during the established periods and allow the monitoring of the actions.
The scope of application is limited to irrigated agricultural plots located in the 14 municipalities around Doñana, provided that the agricultural use had been consolidated since the entry into force of the 2004 territorial planning regulations (POTAD) and they are not areas incorporated into irrigation after November 2022. date on which the Framework of Actions for Doñana was announced.
UP TO 400 HECTARES BENEFITED
The amount of the aid may cover up to 100% of the costs, with a maximum of 70,000 euros per hectare, distributed in ten annuities of up to 7,000 euros per hectare and year. For areas of less than one hectare, the aid will be proportional. The aid is compatible with other public or private subsidies, provided that the total cost of the action is not exceeded.
The selection of projects will be made on a competitive basis, according to the assessment of the applications, until the available funds are exhausted. The aid may reach just over 400 hectares. Renaturalizations or reforestations must be proposed that comply with the technical guide prepared for this call and adapted to the conditions of the territory, as well as guaranteeing the maintenance of natural or forest use and its good condition, including replacements in case of losses., MITECO proposes future calls to integrate a greater number of hectares into these aids.
FRAMEWORK FOR INTER-MINISTERIAL
ACTIONSThe Government of Spain has designed, through MITECO, two Action Frameworks for Doñana that are pioneers in their application and that combine environmental restoration and social sensitivity, seeking to safeguard the ecological values of the entire area and contribute to economic development that is sustainable and integrated with the needs of the environment. In total, 745.3 million will be invested directly until 2028 from a multidisciplinary perspective that involves 13 Ministries of the Government of Spain.
The Doñana Technical Office is in charge of coordinating and promoting the execution of this investment from the territory. Regarding the Socio-Economic Framework of Actions, endowed with 350 million, it is worth highlighting the development of lines dedicated to the agri-food, livestock and forestry sector; industry; training and improvement of employability; to support local initiatives; and a line focused on improving the living conditions of seasonal workers, among others.
