The Generalitat of Catalonia will inject 2,000 million euros, 25% of the budget of the Department of Education and Vocational Training, over four years to improve the educational system and the working and salary conditions of teachers. The agreement, reached with the unions CCOO and UGT, foresees reducing ratios, strengthening inclusive education, improving teacher remuneration, and recognizing educational support staff. The pact includes joint monitoring mechanisms with the signing unions to ensure its implementation.

Compiling all the grants awarded in Catalonia on a website that acts as a search engine, filtered by beneficiary and showing who grants them. That's what 32-year-old Gerard Martínez Adsuar, from Caldes de Montbui, has done, sparking a public debate this week with the viral success of Subvencions.cat. Why? The website suddenly stopped working and was restored after a few days. The outage, however, resulted in the loss of one million records. This data became inaccessible from the Catalan government's portals. The government has justified the outage by citing problems with the data "upload," which they assure will be resolved soon. Well done, Martínez Adsuar. He already put forward his hypothesis on Thursday night on X"Before the change, proper names appeared, often those of migrants, associated with a tax identification number (CIF) that belonged to associations. I don't think this should have happened."

The commuter rail service shutdowns and the ongoing problems on the AP-7 motorway since tolls were lifted reveal transport infrastructure that is not only inadequate but also potentially dangerous. The impact on the 400,000 commuter rail users, the AP-7 closures, the repeated accidents, and the recurring protests have a significant impact on GDP. As a result, productivity in Catalonia is hampered by deficient transport infrastructure stemming from a lack of planning and investment. How and why have we reached this point?

A few months ago I wrote here that the Renfe trains running through the country, covered in graffiti, added the final touch of collective desolation caused by a service abandoned to its misery.

Playing video games is a common activity in Catalan homes, especially during the Christmas holidays. For this reason, the Government of Catalonia has published "Shared Game: A Guide to Enjoying Video Games as a Family," a tool designed to help families transform digital gaming into a healthy, mindful, and shared experience. The guide offers practical advice and simple resources to help families support children and young people before, during, and after playing. It is an initiative of the Catalan Video Game Roundtable—a forum for industry stakeholders and the Government of Catalonia—promoted by the Department of Culture and developed jointly with the Departments of Education and Vocational Training and of Health, and with Good Game Generation, an organization specializing in promoting the educational and transformative use of video games.

The difficulty in accessing and maintaining decent and affordable housing is one of the factors contributing to inequality in Catalonia. Therefore, with the aim of facilitating access to housing, the Catalan government has created the 50,000 Homes PlanTo create 50,000 new public and affordable housing units by 2030 using public land and in collaboration with local councils, reserving 25% for young people with direct aid and emancipation funds.

During the autumn and winter months, we tend to spend less time outdoors than at other times of the year. The colder weather and fewer hours of sunlight mean that families often spend more time at each other's homes, places where children can enjoy the company of elderly relatives, aunts, uncles, and cousins, but also where viruses that cause colds and flu circulate more freely, often increasing the risk of infection. It is no coincidence, therefore, that year after year around this time there is a peak in viral infections such as the common cold, the flu, COVID-19, and bronchiolitis.

The arrival of a new year often brings with it a host of good intentions. For many smokers, it's a time to reconsider quitting. This is no small matter; according to the World Health Organization (WHO), tobacco causes more than 8 million deaths worldwide each year, a fact that underscores the importance of taking the plunge and committing to a healthier lifestyle.

The Catalan government is calling for get vaccinated against the flu as soon as possible. The Catalan Health Department has opened vaccination to everyone who wants it, even if they are not part of at-risk groups, with the aim of expanding coverage and strengthening herd immunity. The goal is to reduce infections, prevent serious complications, and avoid hospitalizations, especially among the most vulnerable. Health authorities are particularly urging children between 6 and 59 months old, people over sixty, pregnant women, healthcare professionals and essential workers, as well as people with underlying health conditions, to get vaccinated. High level of infections

The incidence of influenza and other respiratory infections in Catalonia has climbed to very high levels, with a 50% increase in cases in just one week. Between December 1st and 7th, the Catalan Health Department estimates that 1,115 acute respiratory infections were recorded per 100,000 inhabitants, the equivalent of approximately 90,000 cases per week. Influenza is the predominant virus in this wave and continues its upward trend. The current estimate is 418 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, with circulation occurring four weeks earlier than in previous seasons. The predominant subtype in this wave of infections is A(H3N2) variant K. This high transmission rate threatens to further strain the healthcare system, especially in units already under considerable pressure during the winter. Face masks are mandatory.

Given this situation, the Catalan government has made the use of face masks mandatory in hospitals, primary care centers (CAPs), and care homes for everyone aged six and over—staff, patients, and visitors. The measure will initially remain in effect until December 24. The requirement applies to all healthcare settings, from primary care to mental health services and care homes for the elderly or people with disabilities. However, people with respiratory illnesses or difficulties that could be aggravated by wearing a mask, as well as those who, due to disability or dependency, cannot remove it independently, will not be required to wear one. Why do we need to get vaccinated every year?

The flu and Covid-19 viruses are constantly mutating, and the protection offered by vaccines or acquired immunity diminishes over time. Hence the importance of getting vaccinated again every autumn if you belong to a risk group. One noteworthy statistic: in Catalonia, more than half of the people over sixty admitted to the ICU with the flu were unvaccinated. In fact, people at risk are more predisposed to developing complications if they contract the flu or Covid-19, such as pneumonia, ear infections, sinusitis, dehydration, and worsening of chronic illnesses, such as heart failure, asthma, or diabetes.

]]>

There are projects that demonstrate that solidarity is not just a gesture, but a firm commitment to transforming lives. Good examples include the work carried out by the Pere Claver-Social Services organization, the Right to Die with Dignity association, and the Kilometer Zero association, winners of the 32nd Volunteer Award granted by the Department of Social Rights and Inclusion. The awards were presented during the commemoration of International Volunteer Day at a gala held at the Auditori de Barcelona on December 2nd.

]]>

An unexpected flash flood. A power outage that lasts longer than expected. A forest fire that forces people to stay home. Emergency situations, increasingly common in a context of climate change and heavy technological dependence, can catch us off guard. But, according to the new Civil Protection campaign From the Generalitat, it doesn't have to be that way. The key is as simple as having a kit Prepare an emergency kit at home to face any unforeseen event and be self-sufficient for up to 72 hours, that is, three days.

]]>

We face increasingly complex collective problems of all kinds, with overlapping and intertwined issues. It often happens that the public administrations responsible for responding have a division of powers and levels of government that frequently makes it difficult to know who is responsible for what. But if, in addition, the most relevant administration in Catalonia uses different maps and territorial divisions in each department, the situation becomes very worrying. Indeed, the various departments of the Generalitat of Catalonia operate with territorial divisions that do not coincide. It is true that this lack of uniformity stems from the specific historical and logistical needs of each area of government (healthcare, education, etc.), but it is also true that, as the effects of changing times make things more complicated, as we mentioned, we could begin to see a situation where "people have problems, the Generalitat has departments."

]]>

The housing challenges facing Catalonia today are complex and structural. Currently, there are 271 municipalities declared to be areas of tight housing markets—territories where housing prices have risen significantly. In response to this situation, since March 2024, the Catalan government has decided to limit rental prices in these areas, where more than 90% of the Catalan population lives. This measure is part of a broader debate on how to guarantee access to decent housing, balance the market, promote affordable housing, and address new social and economic needs. On Friday, November 7th, ARA, in collaboration with the Catalan government, organized an initial meeting with experts to discuss different solutions for addressing the current housing situation in Catalonia. The round table, moderated by ARA journalist Paula Pujol, featured the participation of Jordi Mas i Herrero, Director General of Housing for the Government of Catalonia, and Juli Ponce Solé, Professor of Administrative Law at the University of Barcelona and holder of the Barcelona Chair of Housing Studies.

]]>

Schools and institutes in Catalonia are increasingly recognizing that emotional education is as essential as academic learning. Mental and emotional well-being is the foundation for meaningful learning and the personal and social development of students. For this reason, the Department of Education is promoting various programs and resources that place emotional well-being at the heart of educational life, for both students and teachers.

]]>

In Catalonia, more than one million people live with some form of mental disorder. The figures call for action: almost one in four people over the age of fifteen report suffering from emotional distress, and among children—aged four to fourteen—7.4% acknowledge having some kind of mental health problem. These figures are part of a global reality. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), one in four people worldwide will experience a mental health problem at some point in their lives. These figures not only highlight the magnitude of the challenge but also directly call upon all of society: we must view mental health as a collective responsibility and act to reverse this trend. It is in this context that the National Mental Health Pact was born, an initiative of the Catalan government that aims to provide a comprehensive, coordinated, and transformative response to one of the major social and health challenges of our time. The agreement promotes a new way of understanding mental health: a cross-cutting approach that puts people at the center and integrates all areas—healthcare, education, social services, and community—with the goal of guaranteeing real and sustainable emotional well-being throughout life.

]]>

Supporting students beyond academic learning is now a shared priority for the Catalan university system. Universities are spaces of knowledge, but also of emotions, life challenges, and community life; therefore, more and more institutions are placing psychological and emotional well-being at the heart of their educational activities. All Catalan universities offer free and confidential psychological support services for students, providing emotional support, guidance, and brief intervention in situations of distress, stress, anxiety, or personal difficulties. These services, staffed by teams of professional psychologists, work in a coordinated manner to ensure a rapid and accessible response. In recent years, the Department of Research and Universities has promoted a review and strengthening of these services to ensure consistent, high-quality coverage throughout the university system.

]]>

Talking about what's happening to us isn't always easy, especially when it comes to emotions or situations that cause distress. But there are increasingly more spaces designed for children, teenagers, and young adults to express themselves, ask for help, and receive emotional support without fear or prejudice.

]]>

With the arrival of winter, respiratory viruses such as the flu, COVID-19, and bronchiolitis circulate more intensely. The cold weather means we spend less time outdoors and gather more in enclosed spaces, facilitating the transmission of viruses. Although many of these illnesses resolve on their own, they can cause serious complications, especially in at-risk or vulnerable groups such as the elderly, pregnant women, and those with chronic illnesses. Every year, between December and January, this increase in infections leads to a rise in visits to Primary Care Centers (CAPs) and emergency rooms, many of which could be avoided with preventative measures, especially vaccination.

]]>

080 Barcelona Fashion concluded its 36th edition, reinforcing its role as a major showcase for design, sustainability, and creative talent with international reach. fashion catwalk The fashion week, sponsored by the Generalitat de Catalunya (Government of Catalonia) through the Consortium of Commerce, Crafts and Fashion (CCAM) of the Ministry of Business and Employment, concluded its final day with the fourth edition of the 080 Reborn circular fashion show, one of the event's flagship events. The initiative, which has the collaboration of the Catalan Waste Agency and is sponsored by Girbau Lab, presented a collection inspired by literature.

]]>

Balaguer is preparing the comprehensive restoration of the Pla de Altamá archaeological site, the space where the city was born more than a thousand years ago. The project aims to rehabilitate and promote this exceptional site, considered the largest Andalusian-era site in Catalonia and one of the main sites of al-Andalus.

]]>