Presentation event for the publication “Civic and Community Centers: Community Engines Against Urban Vulnerability,” the outcome of the CIVICOM study—research analyzing the role of local public facilities in fostering social cohesion.

The event will open with a welcome address by the Minister of Social Rights and Inclusion, Mr. Raúl Moreno, and will bring together representatives from government, academia, and the community sector to share the research findings and reflect on the role of civic and community centers in social cohesion and community action.

Date: Thursday, September 17, 2026
Time: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Venue: El Born Centre de Cultura i Memòria (Plaça Comercial, 12, Barcelona)
Advance registration: https://dretssocials.gencat.cat/ca/ci/publicacio-casals-civics/

The CIVICOM Research

The study was developed jointly by the Institute of Government and Public Policy (IGOP) at the Autonomous University of Barcelona, ​​the Institut Metròpoli, CONFAVC, and the Directorate General for Civic and Community Action. The document serves as a reference methodological guide applicable to facilities managed by both the Generalitat (Catalan Government) and local authorities.

The research analyzes the role of these centers in contexts of urban vulnerability and identifies their potential to act as genuine social infrastructure. In this regard, the report notes that—amidst rising social and residential segregation in Catalonia—these facilities can contribute significantly to fostering cohesion, facilitating access to resources, and reducing inequalities. One of the study’s key outcomes is the definition of a model based on the so-called “5 Ps”: facilities that are public, proactive, accessible (local), multi-purpose, and participatory. This approach establishes the conditions for civic and community centers to become open, useful, and locally rooted spaces capable of adapting to the specific needs of each community.

The study concludes that these centers hold significant untapped potential and identifies several strategic challenges for moving forward in this direction. Key among these are the need to define a shared model, strengthen collaborative governance, consolidate the knowledge generated, and improve both available resources and the technical teams working at the facilities.

The results: two essential publications

The project has produced two publications to be presented at the event: the Digital Research Study No. 23, *Civic and Community Centers: Social Infrastructure Against Urban Vulnerability*, and a public policy brief (Policy Brief Collection; 2), both published by the School of Public Administration of Catalonia.

  • Blanco Fillola, Ismael (Director), Rebollo Izquierdo, Óscar (Coordinator), Bado Barbera, Sònia, Cortina Oriol, Mercè, Durà García, Clàudia, Fernández Ple, Charlotte, López Rubio, Carlota, Morales Morales, Ernesto, Pindado Sánchez, Fernando, Sans Margenet, Rosa, and Veciana Martinez, Laura. (2026). *Civic and Community Centers: Social Infrastructure Against Urban Vulnerability*. (Digital Research Studies; 23). School of Public Administration of Catalonia. https://www.doi.org/10.58992/erd.2026.23
  • Blanco Fillola, Ismael and Veciana Martinez, Laura. (2026). Civic and community centres: social infrastructure against urban vulnerability. (Policy Briefing Series; 2). School of Public Administration of Catalonia. https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14227/6025