Catalonia's 2026 budget adds €300 M to Tarragona and launches senior participatory voting in Sant Cugat

The Catalan government has approved its 2026 budget, amounting to almost €50 billion, with more than €300 million earmarked for the Camp de Tarragona region. The new funding represents a 172 % increase over the previous year and will support projects such as the TramCamp light‑rail line (over €100 million), a €55 million upgrade to the Joan XXIII Hospital, new schools, primary‑care centres and infrastructure for the elderly.

In the municipality of Sant Cugat, a first‑ever participatory budgeting process for residents over 65 was carried out. A total of 1,387 seniors—9.7 % of the age group—cast valid votes, selecting proposals that include ergonomic benches along the Rambla del Celler, improved public‑toilet signage, new outdoor fitness equipment, a park parking tax, a “Bikes Without Age” program and measures to make bar and restaurant toilets more accessible. Votes were split almost evenly between paper (52 %) and digital (48 %) ballots to ensure broad participation.