Key Terms in Spanish Regional Policy and EU Structural Funds
Definitions of Regional Administration and Development
Spanish Regional Administration Terms
CITY COUNCIL
The governing board of the municipality, typically composed of a mayor and council members.
AUTONOMOUS COMMUNITY
A territorial entity formed by provinces, neighboring island territories, or provinces with historical regional identity. It is endowed with autonomy and the capacity to govern and legislate on matters within its competence.
CABILDO
An organ of local government and administration with insular scope. In the Canary Islands, these are often referred to as councils or cabildos.
COUNSELING (CONSEJERÍA)
A department of the government of an Autonomous Community (often translated as Ministry or Department).
PROVINCE
A local territorial entity formed by a grouping of municipalities. Its functions include:
- Promoting provincial interests.
- Providing services at the provincial level.
- Coordinating municipal services.
- Cooperating with municipalities.
STATUTE OF AUTONOMY
The basic constitutional rule of a Spanish Autonomous Community, recognized by the Constitution. It defines, at minimum:
- The name of the Community.
- Territorial delimitation.
- The name, organization, and autonomous institutions.
- The powers assumed.
- The principles of language rules (if applicable).
HISTORICAL NATIONALITIES
Historical communities whose inhabitants feel united by common aspects such as language or history. These traditionally include Catalonia, the Basque Country (País Vasco), Navarre, and Galicia.
FORAL SYSTEM (AUTONOMOUS TAX SYSTEM)
Applies primarily to the Basque Country and Navarre, where these territories are funded by tax revenue collected and managed by their own tax administrations.
EU Structural Funds and Regional Development
STRUCTURAL FUNDS
EU funds used to finance structural activities within the European Union—that is, those aimed at reducing development disparities between regions.
EUROPEAN REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT FUND (ERDF)
Finances investments aimed at reducing regional imbalances. It provides funding to:
- Convergence Regions.
- Competitiveness and Employment regions.
- Supports European Territorial Cooperation.
COHESION FUND
A fund financing public investments exclusively in the environment and trans-European transport networks in countries where the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita is less than 90% of the EU average.
COMPENSATION FUND
A fund established to alleviate regional imbalances and implement the principle of solidarity. Funding originates from the State Budget. The courts determine the allocation of these funds.
REGIONS OF CONVERGENCE
Regions designated to help less advanced areas move closer to the most developed regions. There are two types:
- Pure Convergence.
- Transitional Assistance Convergence.
Economic and Planning Concepts
REGIONAL POLICY
The means employed to redress regional imbalances within a state and promote regional development.
GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT (GDP)
The total economic value generated in both goods and services within a defined area.
LAND MANAGEMENT AND PHYSICAL PLANNING
A discipline that aims for rational land occupation by applying rules that allow or prohibit specific uses of the land.
POLITICAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE ORGANIZATION
The result of a long historical process in which the division has undergone numerous modifications.
AXES OF DEVELOPMENT
Industrial zones utilizing the latest technologies.
AXES IN FALL
Specialized spaces characterized by mature or crisis industries.