building a local strategy for a diverse and inclusive city

la fragua projects developed the optional protocol for the future drafting of the santa coloma de gramenet municipal migration and refugee plan, a strategic document intended to guide local public policies regarding reception, inclusion, equal treatment, and intercultural coexistence. the work was commissioned by the santa coloma de gramenet city council with the aim of identifying the municipality’s main challenges related to migration and laying the groundwork for future comprehensive municipal planning.

the project is based on the conviction that migration policies should not be limited to administrative management or initial reception processes, but should take a cross-cutting approach to areas such as employment, housing, education, health, civic participation, and the fight against discrimination.

listening to communities to understand reality

one of the project’s main contributions was the implementation of a participatory social research process that incorporated the voices of migrants residing in the city.

to this end, various focus groups were organized with people from diverse backgrounds and migration histories, which helped identify shared experiences, specific needs, and barriers that affect the effective exercise of rights. the research highlighted issues such as the difficulties arising from irregular immigration status, access to housing, job insecurity, racial and religious discrimination, and the work-life balance challenges faced by many migrant women.

this process made it possible to place the experiences of migrant communities at the center of the analysis and to formulate recommendations tailored to the social reality of the municipality.

an approach based on rights, equality, and participation

the protocol incorporates an intercultural, anti-racist, and intersectional perspective that views diversity as a defining element of the city rather than as a challenge to be managed.

based on a detailed analysis of the european, national, catalan, and municipal legal frameworks, the document identifies the powers and tools available to local governments to promote social inclusion, ensure equal treatment, and combat discrimination.

the report also highlights the need to strengthen mechanisms for the participation of people with migrant backgrounds in the design, implementation, and evaluation of public policies, thereby fostering more inclusive and democratic governance.

a roadmap for migration and refugee policies

the final result is a strategic proposal that offers concrete guidelines for the future development of santa coloma de gramenet’s municipal migration and refugee plan.

notable recommendations include strengthening information and counseling services, improving access to social rights, promoting policies for intercultural coexistence, preventing discrimination, fostering citizen participation, and incorporating monitoring and evaluation mechanisms to measure the impact of the actions taken.

beyond its technical aspects, the project represents a commitment to developing public policies capable of addressing the city’s diversity from a perspective of human rights, social cohesion, and social justice.

areas of focus

migration and asylum · interculturalism · equal treatment and non-discrimination · civic participation · community coexistence · strategic planning · public policies

organization

santa coloma de gramenet city council

services provided by la fragua projects

participatory social research · focus group facilitation · legal and regulatory analysis · diagnostic assessment · strategic planning · drafting of the optional protocol for a municipal migration and refugee plan.