The municipal government of Vigo has announced a 6% increase in its budget for social services, amounting to €29,724,856. This decision was revealed by the mayor during a presentation on the upcoming budget for social policy.
The most significant allocation will be for school meal and educational material grants, which will receive an additional €400,000, marking a 21% increase from the previous year. This funding will total €2,906,853 in collaboration with the Foanpas association.
Additionally, the budget for the Home Help Service will rise by €387,795, bringing the total to €15,727,795 to support individuals living alone. The mayor emphasised the importance of emergency aid, with €1,300,000 allocated for this purpose, highlighting that this fund is adaptable to the needs of the community. “We pay a significant number of rents and prevent evictions,” he stated.
The new budget also includes €469,300 for “Vigo Social TV” and €829,288 for socio-educational and family support programmes. Other allocations comprise €610,000 for neighbourhood caregivers and €313,457 for active ageing initiatives.
Funding for day centres in Teis, Coia, and Valadares will amount to €350,000, with the mayor noting that this is a responsibility of the regional government, Xunta. Active ageing and inclusive Vigo programmes will receive €313,457 and €90,000, respectively. The teleassistance service for individuals living alone will be supported with €192,000, while the Xantar na Casa programme has a budget of €167,900.
Among the new initiatives is “Vigo Móvese,” which will be allocated €100,000 to facilitate mobility for social entities through the rental of buses and vehicles.
The budget also earmarks €625,400 for grants and agreements with various organisations, including:
- Érguete Association: €48,600
- Érguete Alternative Housing: €51,435
- Érguete: €13,716
- Alborada: €48,600
- Fundación Secretariado Gitano: €22,000
- Programa Móvome Down Vigo: €10,000
- Abertal: €90,000
- Asdegal: €10,000
- Asociación Personas Sordas de Vigo: €25,000
- Menela: €10,000
- AFAGA: €22,000
- Saharauís: €70,000
- ACNUR: €12,000
- Lucha Contra la Droga: €12,000
- DOA: €15,000
- Asociación Gallega Santo Francisco: €24,000
- Amigos de los Mayores: €20,000
Cooperation agreements with entities will total €87,600, including:
- Asociación Española Contra el Cáncer: €10,000
- Amaina: €27,600
- Comedor Médicos del Mundo, education in the street: €50,000
Social dining facilities in the city will receive €471,685 from the municipal government, with allocations such as:
- Food Bank: €120,000
- Misioneros del Silencio: €80,000
- Hogar San José: €80,000
- Fundación Santa Cruz: €65,250
- Afán: €65,000
- Vida Digna: €51,435
- La Sal: €10,000
