Key data
| Regulation | Resolution of 23 September 2026, from the General Directorate of Family Diversity and Social Services |
|---|---|
| Official Gazette Publication | 6 October 2026 |
| Entry into force | 6 October 2026 |
| Affected parties | Autonomous Community of the Canary Islands and Canarian citizens in situations of poverty or social exclusion |
| Category | Grants and Subsidies |
| Total amount | €30,000,000 |
| Eligible spending period | From 1 June 2026 to 31 May 2027 |
| Payment scheme | Advance payment, without guarantee requirement |
| Maximum subcontracting | Up to 70% of the subsidized amount |
| Legal basis | Article 22.2.c) of the General Subsidies Law |
The Canary Islands receives €30 million from the State to finance basic social services and programs to combat poverty in 2026. The Resolution of 23 September 2026 from the General Directorate of Family Diversity and Social Services publishes the direct subsidy agreement between the Ministry of Social Rights, Consumer Affairs and 2030 Agenda and the Autonomous Community of the Canary Islands, with spending validity between 1 June 2026 and 31 May 2027.
The award is based on reasons of public interest in accordance with article 22.2.c) of the General Subsidies Law, which allows direct award without competitive bidding. Payment is made in advance and without guarantee requirement from the Canary Islands.
What does this regulation establish?
The agreement formalizes the transfer of state funds to the Canary Islands to cover exclusively operational and personnel expenses linked to the social programs defined in the agreement's annex. Investments and capital expenditures are not financed.
| Concept | Detail |
|---|---|
| Eligible expenses | Personnel and current expenses linked to social programs in the annex |
| Non-eligible expenses | Investments and capital expenditures |
| Eligibility period | 1 June 2026 to 31 May 2027 |
| Payment scheme | Advance payment, without guarantee |
| Subcontracting | Permitted up to 70% of the subsidized amount |
| Justification obligation | Yes, subject to controls by the Court of Auditors and General Intervention |
| Consequence of non-compliance | Reimbursement of funds received |
The direct award, without competitive public call, is justified by reasons of exceptional public interest, as permitted by article 22.2.c) of the Law 38/2003, General Subsidies Law. This means that the State has not held a competition: it has directly allocated the funds to the Canary Islands due to the urgent and structural nature of the archipelago's social needs.
Economic and operational impact
The €30 million is allocated entirely to current spending and personnel, which means that the economic impact translates directly into operational capacity of Canarian social services: hiring of social workers, psychologists, educators and support staff, as well as operating expenses for centers and programs.
The possibility of subcontracting up to 70% of the amount (up to €21 million) opens a significant window for third sector entities, NGOs and social services companies operating in the Canary Islands. These organizations may be indirect recipients of a substantial portion of the funds, provided that the Canary Islands decides to outsource execution.
Advance payment without guarantee represents a treasury advantage for the Autonomous Community, which will have access to the funds before proving spending. However, this also implies a responsibility for reimbursement if the funds are not properly justified or are allocated to non-eligible expenses.
Who does it affect?
- Autonomous Community of the Canary Islands: is the direct beneficiary of the agreement and responsible for execution, justification and control of spending.
- Third sector entities and NGOs in the Canary Islands: may be subcontracted to execute up to 70% of the financed programs.
- Social services companies with activity in the Canary Islands: may access contracts derived from authorized subcontracting.
- Canarian citizens in situations of poverty or social exclusion: are the final recipients of the financed programs.
- Court of Auditors and General Intervention of the State: will exercise control and audit functions over the use of funds.
Practical example
A third sector entity based in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria that manages a program for families at risk of social exclusion may be subcontracted by the Canary Islands Government to execute part of this agreement. With a subcontracting limit of 70% of €30 million, the maximum amount that could be channeled through external entities amounts to €21 million.
If this entity is awarded a contract for, for example, €2 million, it must execute the spending within the eligible period (between 1 June 2026 and 31 May 2027) and only in personnel and current expense concepts. It cannot charge to the agreement the purchase of equipment, vehicles or works. Spending justification will be audited by the Court of Auditors and General Intervention, and any deviation may require the Canary Islands—and by extension the subcontracted entity—to return the funds.
What should entities do now?
- Third sector entities and social services companies in the Canary Islands: contact the competent department of the Canary Islands Government to learn about the planned subcontracting procedures. The margin is up to €21 million in derived contracts.
- Canary Islands Government (agreement managers): verify that all charged expenses correspond exclusively to personnel and current expenses within the period from 1 June 2026 to 31 May 2027. Investment expenses are expressly excluded.
- Justification managers: prepare accounting and monitoring documentation from the start of execution. The Court of Auditors and General Intervention will conduct controls; any irregularity may trigger fund reimbursement.
- Subcontracted entities: ensure that contracts signed with the Canary Islands expressly include eligible concepts and execution period. Spending outside the period or category may generate reimbursement liability.
- Advisors and consultants for social entities: review the agreement's annex (published with the Resolution in the Official Gazette of 6 October 2026) to identify the specific financed programs and applicable justification requirements.
Frequently asked questions
How much money does the Canary Islands receive from the State for social services in 2026?
The Canary Islands receives €30 million through direct subsidy from the Ministry of Social Rights, Consumer Affairs and 2030 Agenda, allocated to the Program to combat poverty and basic social services provisions for fiscal year 2026.
What expenses are eligible with this Canary Islands subsidy?
Only personnel expenses and current expenses linked to the social programs defined in the agreement's annex, incurred between 1 June 2026 and 31 May 2027, are eligible. Investments and capital expenditures are expressly excluded.
Can the Canary Islands subcontract the execution of these funds?
Yes. The agreement allows the Canary Islands to subcontract up to 70% of the subsidized amount, which equals a maximum of €21 million that can be channeled through external entities, such as NGOs, third sector entities or social services companies.
What happens if the Canary Islands does not properly justify spending?
If the Canary Islands does not justify spending in accordance with the agreement's conditions or allocates funds to non-eligible concepts, it is obligated to reimburse the funds received. Additionally, fund use is subject to control by the Court of Auditors and General Intervention of the State.
Why is this subsidy awarded directly without a competition?
The direct award is based on article 22.2.c) of the General Subsidies Law, which allows awarding subsidies without public call when reasons of public, social or economic interest are duly accredited. In this case, the structural nature of social needs in the Canary Islands justifies the direct procedure.
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-2026-20815
