The autonomous government of Catalonia, the Generalitat, has presented the framework for its 2026 budget, which allocates over €4.2 billion to social policy. This amount represents a 28 percent increase compared to 2023 and is intended to combat poverty, support families, and fund social housing. The budget draft also includes €143.4 million for international aid, including for Palestine. However, non-governmental organizations have assessed the allocations for fighting homelessness as "insufficient," estimating the need at €100 million.
Record social spending
The Generalitat's 2026 budget draft plans to allocate over €4.2 billion to social expenditures. This represents a 28% increase compared to 2023. The funds are to be distributed across various programs, including income support, housing policy, and combating exclusion.
Third sector criticism
Non-governmental organizations, referred to as the third sector, have sharply criticized the budgetary assumptions, deeming them insufficient to combat homelessness. They indicate that an effective and immediate response would require investments of around €100 million and the creation of coherent legal frameworks regulating this issue.
International aid and EU cooperation
€143.4 million has been planned for external activities, including cooperation with the European Union and development aid. Part of these funds is to be directed to Palestine. This element of the budget has become a subject of public discussion about the spending priorities of the regional government.
The autonomous government of Catalonia, Generalitat, has presented the key framework for its 2026 budget draft, in which the dominant priority is a sharp increase in social policy expenditures. The planned amount is over €4.2 billion, which compared to 2023 represents a 28 percent increase. These funds are to be allocated to a wide range of programs, including family support, combating exclusion, and social housing. The second significant pillar of the budget is external activity spending. According to information from March 3, €143.4 million has been planned for cooperation with the European Union and international aid. Part of this aid is to be directed to Palestine, which has been highlighted in some media headlines. The budget draft, however, has faced sharp and immediate criticism from non-governmental organizations, referred to as the third sector. Already on March 3, these groups deemed the allocations "insufficient," and specifically criticized the funds allocated to combat homelessness. According to their estimates, an effective and immediate response to this pressing problem would require investments of around €100 million. The organizations emphasize that, in addition to increased funding, it is necessary to create coherent legal frameworks that would comprehensively regulate this issue and ensure long-term solutions. Catalonia, as one of Spain's 17 autonomous communities, has extensive powers in social policy, health, and education, stemming from its 2006 statute of autonomy. Its relations with the central government in Madrid are historically tense and often focus on financial issues and the scope of self-governance, which also influences the debate on spending priorities. The debate over budgetary priorities reflects a broader dispute about the region's role on the international stage and the balance between urgent domestic needs and solidarity commitments. On one hand, the government emphasizes the importance of local social policy and international engagement; on the other, critics point to disparities and insufficient funds for the most pressing social challenges.