The Castillo de San José (MIAC) hosted the official presentation of the Economic, Social, and Sustainable Activation Plan for Lanzarote and La Graciosa this Friday. This ambitious project, promoted and executed by the Chamber of Commerce and financed by the Cabildo of Lanzarote through the Planning and Project Coordination Unit, aims to mark a turning point in the island’s development model.
Official Attendance
The event saw participation from the President of the Canary Islands, Fernando Clavijo; the President of the Cabildo of Lanzarote, Oswaldo Betancort; and the President of the Chamber of Commerce of Lanzarote and La Graciosa, José Valle. A wide range of representatives from the business sector, local councils, and Cámara España also attended.
Investment and Structure
With an estimated investment of €646 million to be executed over the next ten years, the plan comprises 138 projects designed to tackle the island’s key structural challenges. The strategy is built on a collective, cross-sectional, and technical vision, stemming from extensive social and political participation.
Key Statements
Fernando Clavijo highlighted that “this plan is for and about the Canary Islands, as what we are doing today in Lanzarote and La Graciosa serves as an example of how local solutions can be constructed for our entire region.” He added, “It is not enough to have a good document; we need collective commitment from institutions, businesses, and citizens. Only then will we turn every project into a reality that improves people’s lives.”
Oswaldo Betancort emphasized that “this plan has been developed through a participatory and plural process, listening to citizens, social groups, productive sectors, and all political forces represented in the institution. When governments, businesses, and society work together, the island gains in employment, boosts its economy, and, above all, improves quality of life.”
Public-Private Collaboration
Betancort firmly advocated for the “public-private collaboration model,” stressing that “this plan represents a strategic alliance with forward planning, where each party contributes its best to ensure opportunities, welfare, and quality of life for the residents of Lanzarote and La Graciosa, while preserving the unique identity of our islands.”
The Activation Plan exemplifies effective public-private collaboration and citizen participation, making it a national benchmark and a model that can be replicated in other territories. José Valle, President of the Chamber of Commerce, described it as “a pioneering roadmap, independent of political cycles, that will transform the economic and social model of the islands.” This is also the only strategic plan of its kind in Spain led by a Chamber of Commerce, which ensures its independence and focus on the public interest.
Governance and Transparency
The governance model guarantees its continuity and features a public monitoring portal where citizens can check its progress in real time, ensuring transparency and shared responsibility.
Project Overview
The 138 projects are organised around five main lines of action: Sustainability and Environment, with priority actions on water, energy, and land; Economic Diversification, reinforcing sectors such as premium tourism, primary industries, digitalisation, and blue economy; Well-being and Quality of Life, with measures to improve housing, culture, and public services; Key Infrastructure, modernising healthcare, port, and airport networks; and Talent and Innovation, with programmes designed to attract, train, and retain skilled profiles.
Specific Initiatives
Specific initiatives in housing include creating an inventory of vacant properties, guaranteed rental programmes, rehabilitation incentives, and stricter regulations on holiday lets. In terms of mobility, plans accommodate a more efficient public transport network, park-and-ride facilities, smart technologies, and a secure cycling network, among various other proposals.
The funding will be mixed, with contributions from the Cabildo, local councils, the Canary Islands Government, the state, European funds, and private sources, as well as institutions like the European Investment Bank. Projects will be prioritised based on urgency, allowing for gradual implementation with a minimum annual investment of €16.7 million.
Tourism Strategy
In the tourism sector, the plan promotes a quality model, targeting more conscious visitors with higher average spending, thereby reducing pressure on natural resources. It encourages synergies with sectors such as gastronomy, retail, and crafts.
Future Perspectives
Ultimately, the plan aims to strengthen emerging sectors such as renewable energy, digitalisation, and the audiovisual industry in the island’s GDP by 2035. The strategy includes measures to boost startups, connect education to the labour market, and generate professional opportunities to prevent young talent from leaving the island.
“The true value of this plan lies in its ability to generate consensus and provide a realistic, transformative roadmap with the aspiration of permanence,” concluded José Valle.
