FSE+ and Galicia finance child foster care: keys to the 2026 agreement

Key data

Galicia launches two lines of action with European funds to modernize and expand its child foster care system. The agreement, signed between the State Secretariat for Social Rights and the Xunta of Galicia and published in the BOE on July 23, 2026 (reference BOE-A-2026-16087), formalizes the execution conditions of these operations within the Social Inclusion Program, Child Guarantee and Fight against Poverty, co-financed by the European Social Fund Plus (FSE+).

The agreement does not imply direct economic contribution from the central State: financing falls entirely on the European Union (60%) and the Autonomous Community of Galicia itself (40%). Execution extends until December 31, 2029, within the multi-year framework 2021-2027 of the FSE+.

What does this regulation establish?

The agreement activates two specific operations within the Social Inclusion Program, Child Guarantee and Fight against Poverty, framed in EU political objective 4 ("A more social and inclusive Europe") for the period 2021-2027:

The Ministry of Social Policy and Equality of Galicia acts as the executing beneficiary and must comply with the management, control and justification requirements established in Regulation (EU) 2021/1060, which regulates the common provisions of European structural funds for the period 2021-2027.

The central State acts as an intermediary in channeling FSE+ funds, but does not provide its own financing to the agreement. The responsibility for execution and accountability to the European Commission rests with the Xunta of Galicia.

Economic and operational impact

For third sector entities and Galician local administrations working in child protection, this agreement opens two direct impact pathways:

• Digitalization of the recruitment process: Measure 7.L01 involves the development of a platform that will centralize information and procedures for foster families, which can reduce entry barriers and increase the number of available families.
• Financing of family-based residential places: Measure 7.L02 channels aid towards care solutions that replicate a family environment, the preferred alternative to large-scale centers according to European child protection standards.
• Planning horizon until 2029: Entities participating in execution have a broad time frame to develop projects, hire staff and justify expenses to the Ministry.
• Compliance with Regulation (EU) 2021/1060: Any entity receiving funds derived from this agreement must adapt to the eligibility, traceability and documentary justification requirements of the FSE+.

From an operational perspective, the absence of state contribution simplifies the financing chain: funds flow directly from the European Commission through the national program, with the Xunta as the sole regional interlocutor.

Who does it affect?

• Ministry of Social Policy and Equality of Galicia: Main executing body, responsible for management, justification and control of operations before the State and the European Commission.
• Third sector entities in Galicia: NGOs, foundations and associations providing family foster care or family-based residential care services and that may be contracted or subsidized within the framework of these operations.
• Galician local administrations: Municipalities and provincial councils with responsibilities in child protection that collaborate with the Ministry in executing the measures.
• Foster families in Galicia: Direct recipients of the digital platform (measure 7.L01) and potential beneficiaries of associated aid.
• Minors in situations of vulnerability in Galicia: Final beneficiaries of both operations.
• Technology providers: Software development companies that may compete in the bidding for the digital platform provided for in measure 7.L01.

Practical example

A Galician third sector entity managing a family-based foster home for tutored minors can benefit from measure 7.L02 as follows:

The Ministry of Social Policy and Equality launches a line of aid financed with funds from this agreement. The entity submits its project, proves that its intervention model responds to the "family-based residential care" approach required, and receives financing co-financed 60% by the FSE+ and 40% by the Xunta. To justify the expense, it must comply with the documentary requirements of Regulation (EU) 2021/1060: invoices, activity records, outcome indicators and periodic audits.

In parallel, if the entity collaborates in attracting foster families, it can integrate into the digital platform provided for in measure 7.L01, expanding its visibility and its capacity for case referral.

What should entities do now?

1. Identify if your entity fits within the scope of measures 7.L01 or 7.L02: Check if you provide family foster care, family-based residential care or foster family recruitment services in Galicia.
2. Contact the Ministry of Social Policy and Equality of Galicia: It is the executing body. Request information about the calls planned within the framework of this agreement and the deadlines for submitting projects.
3. Prepare FSE+ eligibility documentation: Familiarize yourself with the requirements of Regulation (EU) 2021/1060 regarding expense justification, outcome indicators and internal control systems.
4. If you are a technology provider: Monitor public procurement notices from the Xunta of Galicia related to the digital platform for attracting foster families (measure 7.L01).
5. Plan with a 2029 horizon: Operations have an execution deadline until December 31, 2029. Size your human and technical resources to sustain multi-year projects with periodic justification to the Ministry.

Official source

Consult complete regulation in official source

Notice: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For specific decisions, consult a qualified professional. Source: https://www.boe.es/diario_boe/txt.php?id=BOE-A-2026-16087