Canaries to get extra €100 million emergency funding to support migrant children
The Spanish government is expected to approve an extraordinary transfer of €100 million for the Canary Islands this Tuesday, after the region was officially declared to be in a migration contingency situation.
The funding is aimed at supporting the care of unaccompanied migrant children currently being looked after in the islands’ protection system.
Sources from the Ministry of Youth and Children confirmed that the money will be approved through a royal decree as a direct grant. This new funding will be added to the €40 million already transferred by the central government to the Canary Islands’ regional authorities during 2025 for the same purpose.
Covering most of the cost
In total, the €140 million provided this year will cover around 90% of the overall cost borne by the Canary Islands for caring for these children and teenagers. That total spending has been calculated at €155 million.
According to the ministry, this represents a 140% increase compared with last year, and a dramatic 3,800% rise compared with 2021, highlighting the scale of the current situation.
The Ministry of Children stressed that this latest transfer underlines the Spanish government’s commitment to regions like the Canary Islands, which are front-line territories for migrant arrivals involving minors.
Government commitment
The Minister for Children, Sira Rego, said her department is making “all available resources” accessible to ensure that the rights of unaccompanied migrant children and adolescents are fully protected.
She added that safeguarding these children is not only a moral duty, but a legal responsibility shared by all levels of government.
Strict controls and oversight
The royal decree also includes strong control and accountability measures. The Canary Islands government will be required to submit:
- A technical report detailing how the funds are used
- Intervention reports confirming the regional management of the money
In addition, the central government will demand a specific assessment of the impact on equality, including statistics and actions taken to address social inequalities, with particular attention to age and gender differences.
What the funding must be used for
The subsidy must be used to meet clear objectives, including:
- Support for foster and family-based care
- Tackling child poverty
- Programmes to help young people transition into adult life
The Ministry, along with bodies such as the State Audit Office and the Court of Auditors, will be authorised to carry out audits and technical checks. All supporting documentation must be retained to ensure the funding is used exclusively for the protection and dignified care of migrant children.
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