Barcelona to Include Intercultural Views in Public Contracts

Why this is here: Barcelona’s municipal staff is only about 1.4% foreign-born, while over 25% of the city’s overall population was born outside of Spain.

Barcelona’s city government will integrate an “intercultural perspective” into its public contract clauses. Mayor Jaume Collboni presented the 2026-2036 Anti-Racism Plan on Monday, a ten-year initiative intended to actively combat racism and promote equality. The plan builds on the 2010 BCN Antirrumors strategy, which aimed to change discriminatory practices.

The city recognizes a need for structural change, particularly given Barcelona’s diverse population of over 180 nationalities speaking 300 languages. The plan includes six core areas, starting with institutional transformation and incorporating anti-racist perspectives into all public actions. Sara Belbeida recently joined the city council as its first Muslim council member.

The city will also train municipal staff on racism and establish the Barcelona Anti-Racism Observatory with a 3.5 million euro investment. A 2024 survey found roughly 30% of Barcelona residents report experiencing discrimination based on culture, religion, or ethnicity, with higher rates among foreign-born respondents. The plan’s success depends on ongoing monitoring and participation from affected communities.