The Language Policy budget sets a record of 85 million, half of which is for Catalan courses.

BarcelonaThe Department of Language Policy has presented one of the lowest budgets in the Catalan government compared to other departments, but also one of the most expansive, and, looking at historical trends, it represents a record amount allocated to public policies for the Catalan language. The new department, headed by Francesc Xavier Vila, became independent from the Department of Culture in 2024 (although it still shares some services) and I had never publicly presented the accounts until today.. Yeah Culture aims to have 524 million In its accounts, the Language Policy department anticipates having 85 million euros available should the proposals be approved. Salvador Illa's 2026 budgetThis would represent an increase of 26 million euros, or 42.8%. Looking at per capita spending, the Generalitat would go from allocating 7.24 euros per person for language in 2025 to 10.34 euros. The current 85 million euros contrast sharply with historical trends. During Pere Aragonès's years in government (2021-2024), the Language department received a budget exceeding 50 million euros, but prior to 2022, the allocation for language policy never exceeded 40 million euros in any single year. A decade ago, language budgets did not surpass 30 million euros, so the budget increase compared to a decade ago would be 213%. The department will allocate 65.3 million euros to direct transfers to its own public bodies. 17.3 million euros will be allocated to subsidies, 50 percent more than in the extended budget. For example, 6 million euros will go to the audiovisual sector to increase film exhibition and dubbing and subtitling across all platforms. A 1.5 million euro subsidy line will also be created to improve the status of the Catalan language in technology and AI. The 40 Propulsion grants for content creators will continue to be awarded, and the Crit awards will be presented. The Minister also announced a new general campaign (with a budget of 400,000 euros) aimed at breaking down stereotypes and raising awareness among the population about not changing their language due to racial prejudice.

Extending the language and facilitating speaking Catalan

Fifty percent of the regional government's budget will go to the Consortium for Linguistic Normalization (€45.2 million), specifically to increase the number of places available for Catalan courses. By 2026, 134,000 places will be offered at all levels and throughout the region – up from 81,000 in 2021. An additional 5,236 places will be offered through agreements with other organizations, bringing the total to 146,000 places for adult Catalan courses. It is projected that more than 18,000 people, particularly those at advanced levels of Catalan, will be assessed in 2026. The consortium has also seen an increase in staff and improved working conditions with a new collective bargaining agreement. Another major area of ​​focus will be the business and labor sector, with a boost for Catalan in commerce, for which €1.8 million will be allocated, primarily to disseminate the consumer code and to negotiate with employers' associations and unions on how to introduce language learning within the sector. At the municipal level, €800,000 will be allocated to enable city councils to offer language courses and initiatives to reinforce its use. The Institut d'Estudis Catalans will receive €2.3 million; Termcat, €2.1 million; the Institut Ramon Llull, approximately €200,000; the Agency for Management of University and Research Grants (AGAUR), €400,000; and additional funding will be provided to Bressola, Correllengua, and language organizations. Furthermore, the Department of Language Policy will collaborate with other departments: with €400,000 for strategic university degrees; with €15,000 to create a language program for the online health service; and will work with the Department of Education on the "third renewal of the immersion program." Part of the budget will also be allocated to expanding the department's new structure: "We need more resources to carry out new tasks," says Vila. Approximately sixty new positions have been created in areas such as language accreditation and audiovisual production.