Support from Barcelona Activa for over 55,000 people during the pandemic

The municipal agency adapted its services to the needs of individuals and businesses during the Covid-19 crisis. Training, digitalisation and business support were all given priority in 2020. This year will see Barcelona Activa focus on employment and the economic reactivation of commerce and local businesses.

26/03/2021 13:02 h

Ajuntament de Barcelona

Barcelona Activa provided support for 55,506 people over the course of 2020, some 5.6% more than the previous year. Women accounted for over half (58%).

With an annual budget of 53.4 million euros, the municipal local development agency used over half of that sum to protect jobs and foster quality employment (52%), a third to strengthen enterprise and business competitiveness (34%), 7% on the local strategy for social cohesion and 7% on digital training.

Employment and labour support

In all, 27,390 people approached Barcelona Activa for labour support and advice. During the first months of lockdown, the city’s labour rights defence points helped nearly 3,000 people, some 75% more than in 2019, to resolve labour doubts, particularly with regard to temporary lay-offs and redundancies. The majority were women (66%), unemployed people (55%) and those aged between 30 and 44.

Business support

The agency provided support for 7,831 companies, an increase of 19% compared to 2019. Most approached Barcelona Activa for guidance on subsidies and special funding for the Covid-19 crisis, such as the Rethinking plans, BCredits and subsidies for the self-employed.

In an effort to promote the economic reactivation and talent, the funding service mobilised 54.4 million euros for 1,300 companies and 188 entrepreneurs, approving 127 projects through its programme ‘Impulsem el que fas’.

Online training

Telematic and online training resources by Barcelona Activa centred on digital training and new technologies. A total of 18,424 people took training courses at the Cibernàrium and Antenes in 2020, some 48% more than in 2019.

 

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