On October 14, the Spanish government sanctioned a €100,000 grant aimed at humanitarian assistance projects for children and youth in Cuba. These projects will emphasize nutrition, hygiene, and renewable energy, as stated in Royal Decree 833/2026 published in the Official State Gazette on Thursday, October 15.
Effective this past Friday, the measure designates the beneficiary as Mundubat-Mundubat Fundazioa, a non-governmental organization based in Bilbao, Spain, that has been active in Cuba since 1996.
According to Article 3.j of the decree, the funds are earmarked for "the development of humanitarian assistance projects for the child and youth population in Cuba through the enhancement of nutrition, hygiene, and renewable energy programs."
This grant is part of a larger €3.56 million package distributed among twelve entities by the Ministry of Youth and Childhood to protect vulnerable children and youth in various countries.
Before the funds can be disbursed, an administrative process must be completed. Mundubat has a maximum of ten business days from the decree's effective date to submit the required application and documentation to the Youth Institute.
Subsequently, the Secretariat of State for Youth and Infancy has up to three months to resolve and notify the grant's approval.
Moreover, the decree's sole additional provision conditions the financial efficacy of all commitments on the "effective implementation of the additional provision of consolidable credit" in the relevant budgetary program.
As of the decree's publication date, there is no record of individual resolution, disbursement, or specific actions initiated on the island.
The decree justifies the direct grant—without competitive bidding—by stating that "it would not be possible to find a beneficiary entity with the same expertise and territorial presence in the areas where the project will be developed."
Mundubat has been operating in Cuba for three decades in sectors such as habitat, agricultural production, and food sovereignty.
In 2026, the organization launched an emergency humanitarian campaign for the island, including the installation of photovoltaic systems with inverters and batteries for rural homes and agricultural cooperatives, distribution of hygiene kits, water collection and purification systems, and delivery of basic food items like grains, rice, and oil.
The grant comes amid a severe deterioration in living conditions for Cuban children. According to the World Food Program, 48.5% of Cuban schoolchildren aged six to 11 did not receive meals or snacks at their educational centers in 2026.
UNICEF reported that approximately 9% of the island's children suffered from severe food insecurity. Cuba's own food industry minister, Alberto López Díaz, acknowledged that more than 100,000 children were not receiving their daily milk ration.
The energy crisis worsened the situation further: power outages, which lasted over 20 hours a day in some areas, disrupted school transportation, vaccine cold chains, and pediatric services.
The UN reported that over 11,000 children were awaiting surgeries delayed by power cuts. A primary school in Matanzas was without electricity for more than 23 days.
This grant is part of a broader pattern of Spanish cooperation with Cuba focused on the same three areas. The Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID) distributed 1,000 food and hygiene kits in Santiago de Cuba starting April 1, and sent 18 photovoltaic systems for healthcare centers.
Additionally, the Spain-Cuba debt conversion program funded school meals for 12,677 children in 74 centers in the eastern provinces. According to Article 4.5 of the decree, eligible expenses may be incurred between June 1, 2026, and December 31, 2027.
Key Information on Spain's Humanitarian Grant to Cuba
What is the purpose of the €100,000 grant from Spain to Cuba?
The €100,000 grant is intended for humanitarian projects in Cuba that focus on improving nutrition, hygiene, and renewable energy for children and youth.
Who is responsible for managing the grant in Cuba?
The grant will be managed by Mundubat-Mundubat Fundazioa, a non-governmental organization based in Bilbao, Spain, that has been active in Cuba since 1996.
What challenges are Cuban children currently facing?
Cuban children are facing severe challenges including food insecurity, with 48.5% not receiving meals at school, and disruptions in essential services due to a critical energy crisis.