The Cabildo of La Gomera has closed the application period for grants to the artisan sector, endowed with 55,000 euros, and is now starting the review of the submitted files.
The Cabildo of La Gomera has initiated the process of reviewing the applications submitted for the artisan sector aid call, a line of grants totaling 55,000 euros aimed at strengthening the activity of artisans and businesses on the island. The island institution has received the requests within the established deadline and will now proceed to evaluate each file according to the criteria of the regulatory bases.
Improvements in the bases to facilitate access
The president of the Cabildo, Casimiro Curbelo, has highlighted that this call incorporates improvements compared to previous editions. Among them, the increase of the maximum subsidisable amount to 5,000 euros for self-employed artisans, as well as the simplification of the application and justification process. “It demonstrates the sector's interest in accessing tools that contribute to keeping alive an activity closely linked to our identity,” Curbelo noted.
The island's councillor for Crafts, Cristina Ventura, explained that the institution has worked to make the procedures more agile. “We want artisans to spend less time on paperwork and more on their craft,” she stated. The aid will cover up to 75% of the eligible expenses, with a general limit of 3,000 euros, except for self-employed individuals who can reach 5,000 euros.
Three lines of funding for different profiles
The call is structured into three lines. Line 1 is aimed at artisan individuals and artisan businesses, financing expenses such as the acquisition of machinery, tools, new technologies, online sales platforms, participation in fairs, training, Social Security contributions, promotional material, consultancy, and rental of premises. Line 2 focuses on the establishment expenses of economic interest groups in the sector. Line 3 supports artisan associations participating in markets, technical meetings, congresses, or professional fairs.
For the artisans of La Gomera, this aid represents a relief in a context where maintaining a workshop or artisan business involves high fixed costs. A potter from San Sebastián, for example, could apply for up to 3,000 euros to renew their oven or purchase glazes, while a basket maker from Hermigua might use the grant to attend a fair in Tenerife. The island, with a strong artisan tradition—from ceramics to embroidery—sees these lines as an opportunity to modernise without losing its essence.
Impact on the local economy and cultural heritage
Craftsmanship in La Gomera is not only an economic engine but also a vehicle for transmitting traditional trades. According to data from the Cabildo, the sector groups dozens of registered artisans who, in many cases, are the last custodians of centuries-old techniques. Curbelo emphasised that “we are talking about a sector that not only generates economic activity but also preserves knowledge, techniques, and values that are part of La Gomera's cultural heritage.”
With the resolution of the files, beneficiaries will be able to access the funds in the coming months. The Cabildo anticipates that the aid will be paid out before the end of the year, allowing artisans to plan investments and projects for 2027. Meanwhile, the Crafts department will continue to provide advice to applicants to ensure that the justification of expenses is as straightforward as possible.
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