The Governing Council of the Cabildo of Tenerife has greenlit the bases and call for the fourth edition of the 'childcare voucher', an initiative aimed at easing the financial burden on families with young children and promoting work-life balance. The initial investment for this measure is €1.3 million, with the possibility of increasing it to €2 million depending on demand.

The president of the Cabildo of Tenerife, Rosa Dávila, emphasized that the objective is to "alleviate the economic burden on households" and enable parents to continue their professional careers while their children receive care in childcare centers. She noted that the aid is crucial for many mothers, who account for 80% of care-related leaves, to avoid resigning from their jobs.

Dávila highlighted the initiative's growing popularity, with a 36% increase in applications during the last call, confirming its effectiveness and the need for reinforcement. The goal for the current term is to reach over 6,000 beneficiary families, having already surpassed 3,000 in the first three editions, with a total investment of €5.8 million including this new offer.

For his part, the Minister of Employment, Education, and Youth, Efraín Medina, thanked the department's efforts to expedite the aid and underscored the importance of institutional support in Early Childhood Education. He explained that these grants reduce inequalities and provide a solid foundation for children from vulnerable families, while also facilitating work-life balance for parents to work or study with their children in safe educational spaces.

Families can receive up to €800 to cover essential childcare expenses, including enrollment, care, hygiene, meals, and school supplies, while maintaining the freedom to choose their preferred center. The application period will open following publication in the Official Gazette of the Province and will close on October 31, 2026.

Additionally, the Governing Council has approved a new scholarship call for students on the island for the 2026-2027 academic year, with an estimated investment of up to €14 million. This funding line is expected to enable over 6,000 young people to continue their education with public support, as part of an educational policy aimed at ensuring equal opportunities and reducing economic barriers to education.

The call includes aid for students with special educational needs, alongside other established categories such as scholarships for undergraduate, master's, and doctoral studies, complementary aid for the Erasmus program, and support for artistic education and Vocational Training. Rosa Dávila emphasized that this initiative is a key part of their government's action, supporting young talent and easing the financial strain on families investing in their children's education.

She added that the focus is not just on "numbers" but on "people and real opportunities," enabling thousands of students to pursue their education regardless of their location or circumstances. It is projected that throughout this term, nearly 30,000 families will benefit from various scholarship programs, demonstrating the Cabildo's firm commitment to education and equal opportunities on the island.

The economic distribution for this call allocates up to €8 million for university studies, €3 million for students with special educational needs (tripling previous investment), and up to €0.5 million each for artistic education and Vocational Training. Efraín Medina asserted that the Cabildo of Tenerife offers one of Spain's most comprehensive local scholarship programs, noted for its financial endowment and the diversity of profiles it serves.

Medina further explained that the program supports not only those studying on or off the island but also addresses diverse needs such as daily transportation, mobility assistance, specialized educational attention, and support for students facing the most significant challenges. He stressed that these scholarships also recognize the efforts of families committed to education, sending a clear message that they are not alone and the Cabildo is there to support them.

The application deadline will be detailed in the bases once published in the Official Gazette of the Province, and will extend until October 30, 2026.