Minister calls for joint action

Sílvia Paneque, Catalonia’s Minister for Territory, Housing and Energy Transition, has called for 'political unity and unity of action' across the Pyrenees region to tackle key challenges and restore public confidence. Speaking at the closing of the Jornades per a l’Excel·lència in Esterri d’Àneu on Friday 3 October, Paneque stressed the need for local political and territorial actors to collectively communicate that long-requested projects are finally moving forward. Paneque acknowledged existing 'scepticism' in the region over unfulfilled promises but said the start of planned works would help rebuild trust. She affirmed that the current government is committed to promoting development 'across the entire territorial extent of Catalonia', with equality of opportunity as a cross-cutting goal.

“It is essential that there is political unity and unity of action from the territory itself.”

A 'constellation' model for Catalonia

Paneque presented the government’s long-term territorial planning framework, which extends to 2050 with a vision reaching 2100. She described the model as a 'Catalonia constellation', a network of towns and regions each with their own identity, where 'no star is peripheral'. Under this concept, rural and natural areas are redefined as strategic infrastructure. The minister argued that fields, forests, rivers and mountains provide essential services, including water management, landscape preservation and forest maintenance. These, she said, constitute a 'national service' and should be recognised as such in policy and funding.

Housing and repopulation measures

Housing was a central theme in Paneque’s address. 'Without housing, there is no repopulation, and without repopulation, there is no future,' she stated. To address this, the government has launched several initiatives, including the new POUM Rural scheme, designed to unblock stalled urban planning in small municipalities, and technical support through Incasòl Rural. A Rural Housing Bank is also planned, backed by €20 million over four years to recover vacant homes and rehabilitate unused municipal buildings. This is supplemented by €9 million to strengthen the Local Cooperation Fund and an additional €5 million programme for rural housing rehabilitation up to 2029. These measures align with actions already underway under the Statute for Rural Municipalities, which includes a €9 million Specific Fund for Rural Municipalities and tax incentives such as a 75% reduction on property transfer tax for rural land regularization.

Infrastructure commitments

On infrastructure, Paneque confirmed the government’s ongoing study of the Bonaigua Tunnel project, while maintenance work continues on the C-28 road. She highlighted an agreement with the Spanish Ministry to allocate €260 million for priorities along the Pyrenean Axis, though she noted that 'more resources are needed' and further funding is under negotiation. The minister said visible progress would begin from autumn 2026 and spring 2027. 'You will see more movement from autumn and spring 2027,' she said, referring to the planned actions.

“We must all be able to explain that this is starting and that there is a roadmap.”

Reported by segre.com, La Valira.