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The Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation announced grants totaling 499,000 euros intended for Spanish welfare institutions abroad that assist Spanish citizens in vulnerable situations, a measure that can directly benefit Cuban-Spaniards residing on the island.
The announcement was published in the Official State Bulletin on April 22, and the deadline for submitting applications is one month from April 23, closing approximately on May 23.
The funds are not directly distributed to citizens but to legally established non-profit organizations outside of Spain that provide free or low-cost assistance to Spaniards abroad who lack their own resources.
Each entity can receive a maximum of 40,000 euros, and the total sum of grants awarded to institutions operating in the same country cannot exceed 250,000 euros.
Funds may be allocated for social assistance expenses, healthcare, or other analogous actions, and exceptionally for the regular maintenance of the facilities that host the beneficiaries.
The call takes on special significance in the Cuban context, which is experiencing a severe humanitarian crisis characterized by prolonged blackouts, shortages of food and medicine, and the collapse of basic services.
In February 2026, the UN described the situation in Cuba as a "multidimensional humanitarian stress" affecting approximately five million people with chronic illnesses.
Among the evaluation criteria are the organization's track record, the current needs of the individuals served, and the efficiency in the use of public funds in previous years.
The call for applications will prioritize centers located in countries with high levels of poverty or inadequate social services, a criterion that directly applies to Cuba.
Applications must be submitted electronically through the Ministry's online registry, accompanied by the project report, a detailed budget, and proof of the entity's legal and tax status.
The maximum period for the Ministry to resolve and notify the decision is six months from the publication of the call, and the beneficiary entities must submit a justification report for the use of the funds within three months following the end of the execution period.
This initiative joins other similar calls: Andalusia allocated 150,000 euros in aid for descendants of Spaniards abroad, including Cuba, and Asturias approved nearly 150,000 euros for emigrants in 2024, of which 606 beneficiaries were Cuban.
The universe of potential beneficiaries in Cuba has greatly expanded since the approval of the Law of Democratic Memory: more than 300,000 Cubans have begun the process of applying for Spanish nationality under this regulation since 2022.
At the beginning of 2026, the Spanish Consulate in Havana increased the available appointments by 35% for processing Spanish nationality, reflecting the growing demand for consular services on the island.
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