Science and Innovation

Almost a third of children in Catalonia live in poor households. In fact, children under 18 are the age group most at risk of poverty. Social networks (family, friends, neighbours in the neighbourhood) as well as access to public and private services are fundamental for the well-being of households and can intervene in the impact of economic hardship on them. Using a mixed methodology, this study provides new evidence on child poverty in Barcelona. Specifically, it will examine: the geographical distribution of child poverty in Barcelona and its evolution over time; the experiences of low-income families; and the strategies they use to cope with situations of economic vulnerability. The qualitative element of the project builds on the concept of welfare bricolage, developed to analyse the use and provision of health services (Philimore et al. 2021), and expands it to explore the resources and strategies used by low-income households with children to cope with critical situations, the relative effectiveness of different strategies and how these vary across the territory. Indeed, the opportunities and resources that shape families' coping strategies are anchored in the neighbourhood in which they live. The study will examine the role of local services, social networks and organisations in families' experiences. It also aims to contribute to opening up the debate on the situation of families living in poverty in the city of Barcelona, amplifying the voice of low-income people.