The Lehendakari of the Basque Country, Imanol Pradales, will take part in a discussion with the presidents of Galicia and Catalonia, Alfonso Rueda and Salvador Illa, at the Forum La Toja on Friday, 2 October 2026. Government spokesperson Maria Ubarretxena announced this after the meeting of the Basque government on 29 September 2026. The discussion will be moderated by Antón Costas, president of Spain’s Economic and Social Council. The discussion will focus on the relationship between competitiveness and territorial cohesion in the European context.
At the same time, the government approved several measures with a direct regional focus. The city of Donostia-San Sebastián will receive a direct grant of 777,000 euros, to expand the programme supporting people experiencing homelessness. According to the government, the funding will allow up to 100 more people to join the Otorduak programme. A new option provides one full meal every day of the week at participating restaurants. The minister responsible, Nerea Melgosa, said the move was based on a human-rights approach that promotes normality rather than segregation and links food assistance with social inclusion.
The government also approved a cooperation agreement with the Cuadrilla de Añana to establish the first GAZ service in rural Álava. The service will be based in the Cuadrilla’s offices in Rivabellosa and is aimed at young people aged 16 to 34 who live, study or work there, as well as those who wish to build their life project there. It will offer clear information, individual guidance and practical support with decisions about personal autonomy and emancipation.
The Award for Good Practices in Age-Friendly Communities will also continue under the Euskadi Lagunkoia Berriaprogramme. Its aim is to recognise initiatives that improve older people’s quality of life. The award has been presented annually since 2019; according to the government, 90 municipalities are currently involved – 40 in Bizkaia, 27 in Gipuzkoa and 23 in Araba.
The spokesperson said Pradales’s participation in Forum La Toja was intended to bring Euskadi’s experience into a broader discussion involving politics, business and academia. The government’s decisions listed above take effect independently and address social participation, youth support and demographic challenges in the Basque Country.
Editor: Mira Cadena (Article created with AI assistance).