Lorraine Williamson
Spain is set to channel €39.3 million of European funding into a new wave of urban renewal, transforming grey streets into green havens. Backed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), the money will finance twelve large-scale greening projects in cities and towns from Galicia to Andalucia, reshaping neighbourhoods, schoolyards and even riverbanks.
With summers becoming longer and hotter, Spain’s urban areas face mounting pressure to adapt. Heatwaves have pushed cities to the frontline of the climate crisis, making trees, parks, and rooftop gardens not just desirable but essential. Beyond offering shade and cleaner air, green zones also capture carbon and reduce flood risk.
Vice President and Ecological Transition Minister Sara Aagesen underlined the urgency: “We are living in a climate crisis. We must adapt our cities, and we can only do that together.”
Demand far outstrips supply
The appetite for European backing has been overwhelming. In this latest round, 87 proposals were submitted, worth €276 million in total—almost seven times the available funding. The fierce competition highlights how acute the demand is for climate-friendly redesign across Spain’s municipalities.
Where the money is going
Funding has been distributed according to regional economic strength. Andalucia, Castilla-La Mancha and Extremadura can see up to 85% of project costs covered. Meanwhile transitional regions such as Valencia, Galicia and Murcia receive up to 60%. Wealthier regions like Madrid, Catalonia and the Basque Country face stricter limits, capped at 40%. The Canary Islands are a notable exception, benefiting from an 85% rate despite being classed as transitional.
Projects in action
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Castellón de la Plana: €3.5m for the Naturaleza en Red programme, greening schoolyards, planting rooftops, and restoring ponds into thriving ecosystems.
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Gijón: €3.2m for Ecoresiliente, covering 1.2 million m² with trees and vegetation, alongside river restoration and community-led schoolyard projects.
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A Coruña: €2m to replant neighbourhoods, reopen parks, and expand access to natural areas for residents.
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Fuenlabrada, Salamanca, Andújar, Valdepeñas and San Bartolomé de Tirajana will also see transformations in public squares, schoolyards, and parks. Larger institutions such as the Barcelona Metropolitan Area and Provincial Council of Jaén are steering regional-scale initiatives.
In many cases, local councils are working hand-in-hand with NGOs and universities, adding expertise and community engagement to the mix.
Part of a bigger green push
These twelve projects join a growing list of initiatives under Spain’s Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan (PRTR), largely powered by EU Next Generation funds. So far, €200m has been earmarked for urban greening and river restoration. This raises the national total to 85 projects worth €233m. Oversight comes from Fundación Biodiversidad, which ensures funds are used effectively for long-term ecological impact.
Changing how Spaniards live in their cities
The long-term benefits stretch far beyond aesthetics. By softening concrete-heavy landscapes, the projects promise healthier, cooler, and more welcoming spaces. Rain gardens and permeable surfaces will help absorb heavy rainfall, while biodiversity returns as birds, insects, and plants reclaim urban territory.
For residents, these changes will mean shaded playgrounds, walkable green corridors, and a more liveable environment in the face of a warming climate. Spain, with help from Brussels, is not only reimagining its cities but also setting a model for urban resilience across Europe.
Sources: MITECO, Levante EMV