Por Redaccion 
The Local Government Board of the City Council has today approved the modification of the Strategic Grants Plan for 2025, an initiative that amounts to over 4.5 million euros, 513,914 euros more than initially planned for this year (12.67 percent higher). This increase «shows clear support for social, sports, and cultural groups,» as stated by the Councillor for Citizen Participation, Enrique Rodríguez, after the meeting of the municipal Executive at the Adolfo Suárez Palace of Fairs and Congresses in Marbella.
Rodríguez explained that this adjustment raises the plan from 12,854,501 euros for the period of 2023-2025 to 13,618,415 euros, an increase of 763,914 euros, equivalent to 5.94 percent. «With this update, the Government team reaffirms its commitment to optimizing public resources and addressing the real needs of our population, ensuring that the municipal budget is allocated to measures that promote the well-being and participation of citizens,» he pointed out.
The initiative for this year includes 84 lines managed by 16 delegations, with a strong emphasis on social policy, providing assistance to entities and citizens, representing 53 percent of the grant budget (2,442,921 euros). Programs in this area include benefits for vulnerable individuals and families (771,468 euros), assistance for the homeless (443,700 euros), and food security programs (180,000 euros). Rodriguez also highlighted the increase in sports funding, rising from the initially planned 131,745 euros for 2024 to 564,245 for this year, with significant allocations for clubs and associations (414,245 euros) and individual athletes and pairs (100,000 euros). Additionally, there will be funding for the promotion of rugby, with 50,000 euros allocated to the city’s club, the only one in the municipality with this sport.
In the cultural sector, with a budget of 468,387 euros, support includes assistance to Parent-Teacher Associations (AMPAs), associations, the Museum of Contemporary Spanish Engraving, university extension activities with the University of Malaga (UMA), and flamenco clubs, among others. Economic and productive sectors will receive 398,080 euros in grants for business and merchant associations and tourism entities. Support for traditions, with 304,720 euros, will include funding for brotherhoods, nativity scene enthusiasts, carnivals, and the May Crosses competition. The Environment and Sustainability area, with 198,000 euros, covers education and awareness activities as well as animal welfare. The Citizen Participation section (157,600 euros) emphasizes competitive calls for neighborhood and civic entities, while youth programs (35,200 euros) include support for talent promotion and driver’s license assistance. The 2025 Strategic Plan, to be published on the municipal website and the National Grants Database, outlines 20 competitive lines, three non-competitive lines for social assistance, nine for awards and scholarships, and 53 for named grants.