The Basque Government has opened the 2026 call for training plans for trade unions and employers' associations

The Department of Economy, Labor and Employment of the Basque Government has issued the 2026 call for grants for training plans for trade unions and business organizations. The call is contained in the Order of August 28, signed by Miguel Torres Lorenzo, Second Vice President and Councilor for Economy, Labor and Employment, and was published in issue number 182 of the Official Gazette of the Basque Country on September 23, 2026 (official reference: 2026/3981). The call implements Decree 232/2021, as updated by Decree 243/2025.

Regulatory Framework and Background

Decree 232/2021, of November 9, was published in issue number 230 of the Official Gazette of the Basque Country on November 18, 2021. The regulation establishes a system of public grants to strengthen the training programs of business organizations and trade unions, with the aim of turning these organizations into appropriate tools for the qualification of their executives and employees.

These grants date back to 1996, launched by the Department of Employment and Social Policies, and were initially regulated in Decree 244/1996, of October 29, and later in Decree 191/2003, of July 29. Decree 243/2025, of December 22 (Official Gazette of the Basque Country issue number 9, January 15, 2026), amended Decree 232/2021 to comply with Law 20/2023, of December 21, the Law on the Grant Regime.

Amount and Distribution

The total amount of the call is 829,539.00 euros, distributed as follows:

• 580,677.00 euros charged to the 2026 ordinary budget.
• 248,862.00 euros charged to the 2027 commitment budget.
• For business organizations, a maximum of 40%: 331,815.60 euros.
• For trade unions, the remaining 60%: 497,723.40 euros.

This amount is recorded in item 2026/000458, Program 3112, Service 21, and Sub-concept 452, under the protection of Law 7/2025, which approves the 2026 General Budgets of the Basque Country.

Deadlines and Training Activities

The period for submitting applications is one month, starting the day following the publication of the order in the official gazette. All training activities must begin in 2026 and be completed before March 30, 2027.

The maximum economic modules for financing are as follows:

• Group I: 9 euros per participant and training hour.
• Group II: 7.5 euros per participant and training hour.
• Group III: 35% of the total expenditure of that group.
• Group IV: 5 euros per participant and training hour.
• Massive events in Group I, for a maximum of two days: 2,400 euros per day.

In the evaluation, adaptation to the provisions of the decree can grant a maximum of 50 points, competencies 25, and experience 25.

Processing and Resolution

All procedures are electronic, and the application is completed at the Basque Government’s electronic office. File tracking, requirements, and justification are carried out through Mi Carpeta.

• The managing body is the Dirección de Trabajo y Seguridad Social.
• The resolution is the responsibility of the Viceconsejería de Trabajo y Seguridad Social, after receiving the report from the evaluation committee.
• Payment is made in two installments: 70% upon awarding the grant and 30% after the plan is completed.
• Justification must be submitted within two months of the completion of the plan.
• An appeal for reconsideration may be filed within one month, and a contentious-administrative appeal within two months.

The orders are published and take effect the following day.

Impact and value

The call finances a two-year cycle, starting in 2026 and ending in March 2027, and guarantees the training work carried out by social agents within their own structures. The distribution of the amount gives greater weight to trade unions, 60%, and to business organizations, 40%, provided it is in subjects linked to their own areas of activity. Beneficiary organizations have one month to submit the application through the electronic office.

Fuente: Boletín Oficial del País Vasco, núm. 182, 23 de septiembre de 2026, Otras Disposiciones, pp. 1-34 (official reference: 2026/3981).