Updated Subsidy Framework Approved
The full council of Diputació de Girona has provisionally approved new rules for subsidies supporting forestry work and wildfire prevention. The updated framework aims to promote sustainable forest management, reduce fire risk, and help wooded areas adapt to climate change. Grants will be distributed across seven targeted lines, primarily benefiting municipalities, Forest Defence Associations (ADF), and private forest owner associations. Eligible actions include silvicultural treatments, maintenance of perimeter strips, implementation of municipal fire prevention plans, and promotion of joint forest management.
Expanded Support for Local Forest Groups
Key changes in the new rules include the possibility of renewing agreements for establishing forest reserves in mature woodlands, a first under this scheme. The maximum grant for private forest owner associations carrying out joint land management will rise from €7,000 to €10,000 per application. Support for ADFs is also being strengthened through a newly defined investment line, higher baseline funding for operational costs, and increased co-financing rates to benefit small municipalities. These groups will receive backing for urgent firefighting support, such as deploying tractors during wildfires and refilling emergency water tanks when requested by firefighters.
These measures ensure no municipality faces fire risk alone, especially amid worsening climate conditions.
ADF units will also be funded to provide summer surveillance in protected natural areas including the Albera range, Cap de Creus, Montgrí-Muntanya Gran, the Gavarres massif, and the Cadiretes hills, all designated as priority protection zones.
Restoration Funding for Gavarres After Fire
Although the subsidy rules do not reference the recent Gavarres fire directly, the plenary approved a separate extraordinary grant of €59,000 to the Consorci de les Gavarres. This funding will support post-fire restoration and damage prevention works in the area. This follows a June agreement signed by President Miquel Noguer with all four Catalan provincial councils and the Generalitat to coordinate forest management and ensure no local authority is left isolated in confronting fire threats and climate impacts.
Additional Environmental and Social Measures
The session also saw the approval of several motions: declaring the Girona province free of forced marriage, endorsing the Millennium Peace Assemblies Manifesto (1027–2027), and launching a Catalan-wide strategy for vector control with shared funding for public mosquito control services across Catalonia.
Primary sources: govern.cat, canviclimatic.gencat.cat. Reported by Diputació de Girona. Medi Ambient, elperiodico.com, Diputació de Girona, rtve.es, Gerió Digital, L.A, gerio.cat, diaridegirona.cat, Redacció. Puigcerdà, Diari de Girona.
