The region’s elected officials, who gathered for a plenary assembly at the Parc des Expositions event centre in Montpellier, approved a preliminary 2017 budget of €3.44 billion - a 19% increase on 2016. This budget reflects the offensive strategy chosen by the Region, investing over €1 billion in 2017, as well as new responsibilities for transport transferred from departmental authorities (including interurban coach and bus stations as of 1 January, and school transport as of 1 September), and also the integration of €560 million in EU funding (up from €140 million in 2016).
The four main pillars of our policies are ensuring equality of opportunity and access to employment, promoting shared economic development, guaranteeing regional equality and preserving the environment, and reinforcing social bonds and solidarity, explains Regional President Carole Delga.
The Region is focusing on a new regional educational policy, and investing heavily in its young people: €436 million will go to the construction and renovation of high schools.
Two new facilities will open in Castelnaudary and Pibrac for the 2017 school year. The region has allocated an extra 23% into efforts to adapt training courses to the needs of young people, employees and businesses.
Regional policies for economic development, innovation and internationalisation have been reinforced: the Region has increased agricultural allocations by 26.6%, as well as adding 20% for businesses and 5.5% for research and higher education.
We have set our sights on the economy of the future through renewable energy, the digital sector and "blue growth”, which will benefit from the “Plan Littoral 21” coastal initiative.
On all fronts, the Region is acting to provide balanced development throughout every community, via its transport policies, actions to improve digital networks, the development of district towns and by establishing the Mountain Parliament, the sister organisation of the Maritime Parliament. As we are aiming to become the first energy-positive region in Europe, a large number of programmes are being undertakenfor the energy and ecological transition.
Finally, the Region is engaged in the practice of active solidarity, providing the means to support cultural activities and participation in sports. The Region is also investing in social and student housing, as well as healthcare access in rural areas, and is committed to supporting gender equality.
2017 Budget: main policies
Ensuring equality of opportunity and access to employment: €1,080.37 million
- Employment, professional training and apprenticeships: €532.06 million
- Education and youth policy: €440.52 million
- Higher education, research and innovation €107.80 million
- Promoting shared economic development: €768.1 million
- EAFRD Agriculture: €450.73 million
- Industry, corporate and business services: €151.52 million
- Agriculture, food processing and wine production: €55.09 million
- Mediterranean: “Blue Growth”: €52.05 million
- Tourism and thermal spas: €37.31 million
- Localised economy: €21.40 million
Ensuring regional equality and environmental preservation: €860.09 million
- Transport and infrastructure: €694.03 million
- Regional development, ITC and public development contracts: €59.89 million
- Energy and ecological transition, biodiversity, circular economy and waste management: €53.40 million
- Water and risk management: €29.48 million
- Mountains and rural areas: €12.15 million
- International, Europe, cooperation, assessment, prospects: €5.69 million
- Urban policies and town planning: €5.45 million
Strengthening social bonds and solidarity: €127.17 million
- Culture, communications, heritage, Catalan and Occitan languages: €85.64 million
- Sports: €21.03 million
- Solidarity, public services, community living and housing: €19.97 million
- Gender equality: €530,000
