Salobreña has launched an interesting initiative that opens doors for residents to influence local decisions. ‘Salobreña Participa‘ encourages everyone, especially expat communities, to engage more actively in council governance and help build a more transparent future with all residents involved in how their taxes are spent.

A fresh approach to citizen involvement

The project encourages genuine participation from neighbours, associations, and groups in shaping public policies. Expat residents, who form part of Salobreña‘s diverse population, around 12 per cent of foreign nationals, many from the UK and Northern Europe, now gain valuable opportunities to contribute their perspectives.

Efforts centre on drafting a local regulation on citizen participation, transparency, and good governance. Officials hope to present this framework for approval at a full council meeting before summer arrives.

Key events open to all residents

A first meeting will target local associations on Friday, March 20, at 6pm in the Casa de la Cultura auditorium. Participants can discover strategic lines for the forthcoming regulation and share valuable input.

Another highlight arrives on April 10 with the inaugural citizen forum ‘La Salobreña que vivimos’. Residents from neighbourhood, social, and business sectors propose ideas to strengthen the regulation while exploring successful participation models from other towns.

According to the council, democracy extends far beyond elections every four years. Daily dialogue, attentive listening, and real involvement construct true democracy in everyday life.

Why expats should seize this moment

Councillor Rodríguez Callejón has stressed opening the town hall fully to citizens, creating debate spaces where locals and collectives influence public matters meaningfully. Local associations can hold unique knowledge of Salobreña’s needs and strengths, making their contributions essential.

Proposed structures include stable sectoral councils covering culture, tourism, youth, equality, environment, sports, commerce, and education. These bodies inform about council projects, suggest improvements, assess policies, and identify emerging requirements early.

New communication channels support the initiative, featuring a dedicated ‘Salobreña Participa’ website and social media profiles that share calls, minutes, and ongoing participatory processes so everyone can keep abreast of what is planned and what is going to happen in the town, a long-lasting grumble of many residents.

Expat residents can bring fresh insights to these discussions, enriching outcomes for everyone. Joining is straightforward—attend upcoming events or follow online updates. Active involvement strengthens community ties, boosts transparency, and promotes shared responsibility in local management.

Benalmadena has launched a push against vacant properties in the face of accommodation shortages. Local authorities unveiled a fresh study pinpointing empty homes across the town. Officials hope to somehow unlock these units for stable, long-duration rentals and so ease rocketing housing pressures in the area.

Public-driven initiative takes centre stage

Participatory budgeting saw the idea first proposed back in 2025, when residents voted to prioritise tackling unoccupied dwellings with so little available currently for rent. Quesada y Pastor Consultores handled a detailed analysis in which their work maps out vacant properties by neighbourhood while paying special attention to those ripe for re-entry into the rental market.

Councillors gathered with Stop Desahucios representatives (the anti-eviction advocacy group) at the Casa de la Cultura on March 14 while Benalmadena council led the discussions. Attendees explored the findings and brainstormed next moves to activate idle housing stock and get it back on the market for rental.

Focus on long-term rental solutions

Experts are hoping to identify specifically why so many properties sit empty and which ones could join the stable rental pool. Often in Spain, in the background of an empty property, there is a family will that has stalled due to expensive legal issues. Future proposals will outline practical steps to mobilise these homes as increased availability promises better access for locals facing tight markets rental markets.

Benalmadena is struggling with broader issues. Earlier 2026 reports flagged over 8,000 holiday rentals claiming 17 per cent of total stock in the town, mostly coastal. Complementary measures include potential IBI surcharges on prolonged vacancies and curbs on new tourist licences. This latest effort complements those by concentrating on private empty units rather than building new public stock.

Collaboration signals strong council commitment

Partnerships with social groups like Stop Desahucios are giving an appearance of transparency to these public proceedings. Authorities are stressing that joint work is being employed to hammer out policies matching real community needs. Improved long-term rental options could relieve affordability strains in such a tourist-heavy area.

It is hoped that success here might inspire similar drives elsewhere along Spain’s costas, where empty homes coexist with housing shortages.

Almuñecar is working on building its coastal appeal ahead of the busy tourist period. Authorities in the popular Costa Tropical destination recently approved a total 60 concessions under the fresh Plan de Explotación de Playas, covering both Almuñecar and neighbouring La Herradura.

Key services set for summer business opportunities

Visitors can look forward to a wide range of seasonal facilities. Concession holders will provide sun umbrellas and loungers, pedal boats, kayaks, paddle surf boards, inflatables and trampolines. The regular favourite additions will be to enrich leisure options along the stunning Sexitano coastline, drawing families and adventure seekers to spend long days on the shores and choosing seafront restaurants to keep them there.

Councillors awarded the concessions following a thorough procurement process. Rafael Caballero Jiménez, the councillor responsible for contracting and purchases, chaired the awarding panel that finalised the decisions. At coastal sights along the Spanish coasts, many rely on these temporary businesses for earning a living that will last all year round. These concessions deliver vital income streams for over a hundred local families, offering much-needed support to residents during peak season.

Months of preparation deliver results

The council highlighted the intensive efforts invested since last June to develop the updated plan. Improvements are designed to raise the town’s tourist image while organising beach services more effectively.

Full coverage and future steps

Plans originally included 74 business opportunities in total. Sixty of those 74 managed to get operators, making sure of quick availability of all awarded services when the Easter season arrives, followed by the summer. The idea is to remain committed to delivering an outstanding experience for both locals and holidaymakers.

Fourteen remaining lots drew no bids initially. Municipal teams plan fresh administrative procedures to allocate them soon, completing the intended service lineup across the beaches. Almuñecar continues marketing itself as one of the best Mediterranean spots for families.