The Cabildo of Tenerife has instituted the most ambitious and generous scholarship policy across Spain, achieving a historic landmark not just within the Canary Islands, but throughout the national scope. For the academic year 2024-2025, the island’s governing body, under the leadership of president Rosa Dávila, has allocated €13 million, marking the most significant investment in scholarships in its history, and the highest among all local administrations in the nation.
The aim of this initiative is unequivocal: to assist thousands of families in overcoming financial barriers to education, enhance equality of opportunity, and promote access to higher learning. Throughout the current legislative term, it is anticipated that over 7,000 scholarships will be granted during the present academic year, with the potential to benefit more than 30,000 families during this term. The Cabildo of Tenerife stands as one of the top institutions providing financial aid in the realm of scholarships. In the 2024-2025 academic year, a total of €13 million will be dedicated to issuing more than 7,000 scholarships, which will be awarded following the conclusion of the grant application period this October.
This investment aimed at supporting young individuals and families places the Cabildo at the forefront of scholarship initiatives across the entire Archipelago. Notably, this has been one of the central priorities for the Insular Corporation, with president Rosa Dávila leading the charge: to assist families in navigating the challenges of their daily lives, particularly those with children or dependents, who must balance their personal and professional commitments.
“In this manner, the Cabildo takes the lead in issuing scholarships within the Archipelago, complemented by the implementation of clear, bold, and decisive employment policies that position Tenerife as the backbone of employment throughout the Canary Islands. All of this forms part of a comprehensive effort to enhance the quality of life for residents of Tenerife,” explains Dávila.
In turn, the Minister of Employment and Education, Efraín Medina, underscored the measures being executed by the Corporation and the dedication of the Cabildo president, Rosa Dávila, to advance the training and integration of numerous families in Tenerife. To this end, “They have rapidly initiated various essential initiatives aimed at achieving that objective: assisting families.”
A BROAD SPECTRUM
The new scholarship plan introduced by the Cabildo is not confined to a solitary type of aid; rather, it encompasses a diverse array of programmes ranging from early childhood education to vocational and university training, with a primary focus on families grappling with the challenge of balancing work commitments with their children’s education.
Though it may come as a surprise, today, the Cabildo of Tenerife has emerged as the local administration with the highest per capita investment in scholarships throughout Spain. By way of illustration, the Community of Madrid, which operates with a substantially larger budget and population, allocates €43.5 million to scholarships in private institutions, translating to a mere €6.41 per inhabitant, whereas Tenerife enjoys a per capita investment of €13.51, almost double that amount.
The Cabildo’s scholarships not only furnish financial assistance to students and professionals, but they also represent a long-term investment in the island’s development. Through this support, residents of Tenerife can access high-quality education, enhance their employability, and contribute to the socio-economic advancement of the area. With a steadfast commitment to international mobility, research, and vocational training, the Cabildo consistently underscores its dedication to the island’s future. In a world that is constantly evolving, scholarship programmes like these are vital to ensure that no one is left behind, enabling everyone to seize the opportunities presented by the 21st century.
SUPPORTING YOUNG PEOPLE’S FIRST JOB
Over the past year, Tenerife has achieved a notable reduction in youth unemployment, decreasing from 35% to 24%, which signifies a drop of 11 percentage points in just twelve months. To further cement this progress and guarantee a stable employment future for the island’s youths, the Employment and Youth sector of the Cabildo de Tenerife will allocate over €32.5 million to the “PRACTICA Programme.”
This initiative is designed to provide first job opportunities to qualified young people who have yet to secure a position relevant to their qualifications. The programme targets individuals with university degrees, vocational training, or professional certificates, and will be facilitated through the direct recruitment of these profiles by businesses and organisations associated with the Cabildo.
Both Rosa Dávila and Efraín Medina have re-emphasised the significance of projects promoted by the municipal corporation, considering that “youth unemployment, alongside job insecurity, constitutes one of the most significant obstacles to young people’s independence and access to suitable housing. Without an initial opportunity and job security, it is unfeasible for them to embark on an independent life journey,” he emphasised.