10 million euros in social project subsidies blocked by Spanish treasury

More than 10 million euros destined for social projects throughout Catalonia have been blocked by the Spanish treasury as part of Madrid’s intervention with Catalan finances.

Although the treasury in Madrid has assured that it will pay the funds when it receives a request or certification from Catalonia, the government has denounced the blockage of funds that was to be invested in community projects, specifically for people with economic difficulties as well as youth projects.

Spain’s Minister of the Treasury and Public Administration, Cristóbal Montoro Romero, said that “in no case has the State received a request or certification” from the Catalan government, but it will make the payments once it does so, and “requirements” of the “agreement of non-availability of credit” are met.

The agreement was approved in September in Madrid as part of the measures to be applied in the intervention of Catalonia’s finances in response to the independence process. In a statement, Spain’s treasury said that “for reasons of extraordinary and urgent need, corresponding payments can be made after notification and justification from the government” is received.

Catalonia’s Ministry of Labor, Social Affairs and Family has that Spain’s financial intervention affects 307 social entities that were to receive a total of 4.5 million euros from the General Directorate of Civic and Community Action, and 224 associations destined to receive 5.51 million euros from the General Direction of Youth. It has therefore been estimated, due to the nature of these entities and projects, that a high percentage of people will be left in a compromised situation if the blockage of funds continues.