Successful Conclusion of the XII RIFDE Conference on Regional Finance, sponsored by EconLabGalicia

On May 20 and 21, Santiago de Compostela hosted the XII Conference of the Network of Researchers on Regional Financing and Fiscal Decentralization in Spain (RIFDE) under the theme “Awaiting Reforms”. Held at the Faculty of Economics and Business of the University of Santiago de Compostela, the event brought together leading academics, regional authorities, and experts to discuss the major challenges facing Spain’s regional financing system.

The opening session featured the Rector of the University of Santiago de Compostela, the Regional Minister of Finance of Galicia, and members of the organizing committee, including Santiago Lago Peñas, co-director of RIFDE. The inaugural lecture was delivered by Professor Timothy Goodspeed (CUNY Graduate Center), who offered an insightful international perspective on Spanish fiscal federalism.

One of the key moments was the roundtable discussion with the Regional Ministers of Finance from Galicia, Castilla-La Mancha, and the Valencian Community, who shared their views on the feasibility of a near-term reform of the current financing model. Throughout the conference, sessions addressed crucial topics such as territorial equity, reform of governance mechanisms, financial sustainability, and coordination across levels of government.

The event concluded with a keynote speech by Cristina Herrero, President of Spain’s Independent Authority for Fiscal Responsibility (AIReF), who reflected on the current challenges and outlook for regional public finances, emphasizing the importance of sustainability, efficiency, and transparency.

As a proud sponsor, EconLab celebrates the high quality of the discussions and reaffirms its commitment to rigorous analysis and continuous improvement of Spain’s regional financing system.