Subsidy is the act and result of subsidizing or subsidizing : assisting those who need support or help. In general, the concept refers to the economic contribution that is given to an institution or an individual so that they can develop an activity that is considered valuable or useful for society as a whole .
Usually the subsidy usually consists of a sum of money that the State , through a public body, delivers to a legal or natural person for a specific purpose. The grant recipient does not have to repay this amount in the future.
Subsidies make it possible to alleviate a social problem or support an initiative of public interest . The subsidy is considered to be a right of the beneficiary , which in turn generates the obligation to carry out the benefited activity.
There are governments that provide subsidies to companies working in the field of renewable energy , for example. In this case, assistance is justified by the need to promote this type of energy that is less polluting than those from fossil fuels. The entire community, therefore, benefits if the use of renewable energy increases.
Film producers also often access subsidies for filming films. State authorities may consider that the films are valuable for the culture of the people, thereby allocating public money to facilitate production and prevent these works from being subject solely to commercial and market logic.
In the context of the coronavirus pandemic that began in 2020, on the other hand, many countries announced the granting of subsidies to the sectors most affected by the economic consequences of mandatory social isolation.
The concept of subsidy is very particular in that it depends on each person's point of view and experience whether it has a positive or negative connotation. In principle, if we simply focus on the fact that it is financial aid for the development of an activity or overcoming a difficult stage in life, we could affirm that it is a kind of "blessing." However, it is far from being so once those interested face the bureaucratic labyrinth behind which it usually hides.
Applying for a subsidy is not usually easy, since the process generally entails a series of requirements that the most needy people cannot meet. It is ironic, therefore, that a service offered to someone in a precarious situation has demands that in practice are within the reach of those who enjoy a good life, a regular situation and a comfortable economy.
But the requirements to access a subsidy are not direct and easy to satisfy for someone with a comfortable life; On the contrary, they are usually presented as a twisted list that requires the coexistence of a terrible situation or need with a series of resources such as a fixed address, proper documentation and the money to face the entire processing process.
In some way, the organizations that offer us subsidies usually require us to demonstrate the absolute need to receive them but that we do so through a process that cannot be overcome without time and money . There are those who claim that this kind of barrier is created to prevent abuse by those who do not need help, that is, to ensure that only those who really need it and are willing to take advantage of it access it. And at the end of the day that is what happens, since the perseverance and determination to reach the end is gathered by a few.