The Alicante municipality of Dénia has concluded the implementation period for the European Next Generation funds with a balance that the governing team describes as very positive . Of the 9,6 million euros allocated by the European Union, the council has managed to utilize 7,5 million, representing 80% of the total. The Councilor for Territory, Maria Josep Ripoll, highlighted that this percentage exceeds the average for many municipalities, which are often forced to return part of the aid because they are unable to implement it on time.
The funds, intended to repair the economic and social damage of the pandemic, have served to drive an urban transformation focused on sustainability, digitalization, and responsible tourism. Mayor Rafa Carrió emphasized that the experience gained will allow the city to approach future European funding opportunities with greater confidence, and announced that he will travel to Brussels in September to explore new funding avenues.
Fund management in Dénia
The Councillor for Economic Services, Paco Roselló, explained that the total allocation amounted to €9.648.973,88 , distributed across three lines: two Tourism Sustainability Plans for Destinations (PSTD 2021 and 2022) and a line of aid for businesses. The implementation rate was 76% for the PSTD 2021, 82% for the PSTD 2022, and 71% for businesses. Roselló explained that the unspent portion, approximately €2,1 million, corresponds entirely to the Agricultural Park project, which could not be completed before the June 30th deadline.
The councilor acknowledged the administrative complexity of these subsidies, which are far more demanding than those from other administrations, and cited as an example that other municipalities such as Córdoba and Santiago de Compostela have had to return millions of euros. In Dénia, however, a high degree of utilization has been achieved thanks to the efforts of the technical and political team.
Key projects for a more sustainable city
Among the most notable projects is the creation of Plaza María Hervás , designed as a climate refuge in the heart of the city. The Vía Verde (Greenway) has also been transformed into a model of sustainable mobility with more trees, and a Sustainable Tourist Mobility Plan has been drafted. The Smart City project has enabled the installation of surveillance cameras and the redesign of the Dénia Tourism website.
Other significant investments include the refurbishment of the Torrecremada house, with €200.000 allocated to furnish and signpost it as a future university center; the 'Dénia, Watchtower City' Interpretation Center in the castle; and the redevelopment of Sagunt Street, as part of the strategy to revitalize commerce. Ripoll pointed out that all these projects align Dénia with the Sustainable Development Goals and improve the quality of life for residents and visitors.
Percentage of completion and lessons learned
Mayor Carrió acknowledged that the process had been “very difficult” due to tight deadlines and bureaucracy, but asserted that the City Council had demonstrated its capacity to manage this type of funding. “Time worked against us,” he admitted, though he insisted that the experience would be valuable for future funding rounds. The governing team highlighted that the 80% execution rate is “very satisfactory” and that Dénia is above the national average.
Roselló clarified that the €2,1 million that went unspent was due to the Agricultural Park project, which ultimately did not materialize. Despite this, the city council has managed to maintain the rest of its investments without significant deviations. Councilwoman Ripoll added that the City Council's management capacity is a strong selling point when applying for new European grants.
Looking ahead, Carrió has focused on two priority infrastructure projects: a new sports pavilion and a second residence for dependent elderly people. Both require funding from higher levels of government, and the mayor has announced that he will travel to Brussels in September accompanied by a Member of the European Parliament to explore funding options. “We will move heaven and earth to secure the resources,” he stated, reiterating that Dénia needs to continue improving its facilities.