The Generalitat subsidizes local sports with 500,000 euros after the DANA

The Generalitat has granted a nominative subsidy of 500,000 euros to the Consorcio Esportshorta to promote local sports in the areas affected by the DANA and to improve the resilience of sports facilities, within the framework of the “Endavant” plan. The resolution, dated October 8, 2026, is signed by the Director General of Sports, Luis Cervera Torres, by delegation of powers, and is published in the Official Gazette of the Generalitat Valenciana (DOGV) no. 10471, of October 15, 2026, with the official reference DOGV-C-2026-32122.

The aid is supported by Article 22.2.a) of Law 38/2003, of November 17, General Law on Subsidies, and Article 168.1.A) of Law 1/2015, of February 6, of the Generalitat, on public finance, the instrumental public sector, and subsidies, which allow for the direct granting of subsidies specifically provided for in the budgets. The line appears in Law 4/2026, of July 22, on the Generalitat budgets for the 2026 financial year, with code S2186 and the designation “Promotion of local sports in the areas affected by the DANA,” within program 457A00 and budget application G01050408.

The origin of the measure is the Recovery and Reconstruction Plan of the Comunitat Valenciana, the “Endavant” plan, approved by agreement of the Consell on July 31, 2025. In its social and community fabric pillar, it includes the objective of promoting local sports and improving the resilience of sports facilities against future floods. Line S2186 is also included in the Strategic Subsidy Plan of the Presidency of the Generalitat for the 2024-2026 period.

A unique aid for eighteen municipalities

The resolution justifies the direct grant due to the “particular and unique” nature of the beneficiary entity, which consists of 18 municipalities, including those hardest hit by the DANA of October 29, 2024. The Consorcio Esportshorta—a consortium for the management of resources, activities, and services in the sports field of l’horta—has the CIF P4600090G and was established in 2005.

Its declared purposes are to optimize public resources destined for the promotion of physical-sports activities and to offer a joint sports offering that complements that of each town. Its lines of action include:

• Promoting sports habits in children, youth, adults, and seniors.
• Favoring social relations between participating city councils through sports.
• Guaranteeing the continuity and growth of the local and regional sports offering.
• Promoting specific activities that do not gather sufficient demand in a single municipality.
• Disseminating the use of municipal sports facilities in the region.
• Improving the training of technicians and facility operators.

Eleven actions until August 2027

The action plan presented to the General Directorate of Sport details eleven binding actions, oriented towards objectives D.05 and D.06 of the “Endavant” plan:

• Acquisition and improvement of municipal sports equipment, excluding investments and inventoriable assets.
• Inter-municipal sports encounters: schools, seniors, ring ring bike, family grand prix, promotion of pilota and traditional games.
• Health and citizenship program.
• Communication, image, social networks, and merchandising.
• Consortiated Local Council and the Consortium’s Sports Gala.
• Technical manual for the organization of sporting events.
• Manual of best practices for the design and construction of sports facilities.
• Maintenance book for sports infrastructure.
• Technical guide for the design, construction, and maintenance of sports infrastructure in flood-prone areas.
• Technical manual on sports facility regulations.
• Drafting and provision of signage in sports facilities.

Eligible expenses must be incurred between September 1, 2026, and August 31, 2027, and only current expenses are permitted. Works and investments, inventoriable equipment, severance pay, financial expenses, and penalties, among other items, are excluded.

Advance payment and aid control

The grant will be paid in advance, for 100% of the granted amount and without the need for a guarantee, under the exceptions provided for in Law 4/2026. The justification of the purpose and the application of funds must be submitted electronically before September 30, 2027.

Management and control correspond to the Sub-Directorate General for Coordination and Technical Support for the Economic and Social Recovery of the Valencian Community in Sports Matters, under the supervision of the General Directorate of Sport. The entity must communicate any other aid received and maintain the corporate image of the Generalitat and the “Endavant” plan in all activities.

Compliance with the grant is understood to be granted if the consortium does not expressly waive it within ten business days from publication. Against the resolution, which ends the administrative route, an optional appeal for reversal may be filed within one month or a contentious-administrative appeal within two months.

The aid does not require notification to the European Commission, as the Generalitat considers that it does not constitute State aid according to Article 107 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.

The impact of the measure is twofold: it sustains municipal sporting activity in a territory still under reconstruction and finances technical tools so that sports facilities can better withstand future floods. The 500,000 euros are allocated to current expenses, meaning the consortium will be able to contract programs, publications, and maintenance without undertaking new construction.

Source: Official Gazette of the Generalitat Valenciana, no. 10471, of October 15, 2026, section III (Administrative acts, B) Grants and scholarships, page 1 (official reference: DOGV-C-2026-32122).