Barcelona has long been recognized for its innovative approach to managing public facilities, where local grassroots organizations, rather than the government, take the lead. This community-led model ensures that neighbourhood centres, cultural hubs, and sports venues are tailored to the needs of local residents, fostering a strong sense of community and belonging.
Currently, 64 public facilities in Barcelona operate under this model, including neighbourhood centres (casals de barri), youth centres, civic spaces, sports facilities, and cultural centres like the LGTBI Center and La Central del Circ. These spaces are crucial for social interaction, offering educational and recreational programs that strengthen community bonds. However, the rigid classification of public facilities in urban planning often fails to adapt to social dynamics, limiting their accessibility and impact on community life. Instead of being designed to meet the specific needs of each neighbourhood, legal frameworks often replicate existing models from surrounding areas, leading to a lack of flexibility and innovation in urban planning.
Despite its success, this model faces significant challenges due to a lack of legal protection. Although recognised by the Barcelona Municipal Charter, it lacks a clear framework at Catalan, Spanish or European level. This regulatory gap creates uncertainty when contracts come up for renewal, forcing community organisations to navigate complex bureaucratic processes and compete with larger, better-funded entities. In addition, the distribution of public facilities is often based on administrative criteria rather than actual neighbourhood needs, leading to inequalities and under-utilisation.
Moreover, broader urban changes such as rising rents, gentrification, and mass tourism are reshaping neighbourhoods, displacing long-time residents, and weakening the social fabric.
The situation is critical, with spaces like La Violeta (Gràcia) and Casa Orlandai (Sarrià) facing the threat of losing their community-led status due to public bidding processes. To preserve the vibrancy and inclusivity of Barcelona’s neighbourhoods, it is essential to rethink the management and planning of public facilities. Ensuring that these spaces remain community-led and integrated into the urban fabric will be key to strengthening social cohesion. Now is the time to act to protect these vital community spaces.
FAVB (Federació d'Associacions Veïnals de Barcelona), the challenge provider, is the Federation of Neighborhood Associations of Barcelona. It is a grassroots organization that brings together various neighborhood associations across Barcelona to advocate for residents' rights and urban improvements. FAVB plays a crucial role in citizen participation, urban development, and social movements in Barcelona, acting as a bridge between local authorities and the people.
