New youth governance model to roll out in 2027
The Consell Comarcal de l’Alt Urgell has announced a new model for youth services, set to be implemented in 2027. The reform will involve a ten-year delegation of competences and changes to funding structures, moving away from the current inclusion of youth services within the Generalitat's Social Services Programme Contract. Josefina Lladós, president of the Alt Urgell County Council, said the existing model led to instability for youth professionals and excessive administrative work. She explained that too much time was spent on processing and justifying subsidies, reducing the capacity to deliver direct youth policies and activities.
Local councils to shape youth policy
The recent meeting of the Alt Urgell Mayors’ Council, held on Friday in Bassella, aimed to involve municipal governments more directly in shaping youth policy across the comarca. This approach aligns with the goals of the previous four-year comarcal youth plan, which prioritised increasing local-level actions. Íngrid Colilles, youth technician for Alt Urgell, said the new model continues the trend of engaging directly with each municipality. The goal is to adapt this outreach to the upcoming shift in governance, ensuring youth initiatives reach all areas of the region.
Other agenda items at Bassella meeting
David Vallvé was introduced as the new director of the Institute for the Development of the Pyrenees and Aran (IDAPA). He outlined plans to strengthen territorial proximity, ensuring local concerns and proposals can reach relevant departments through IDAPA. Attendees also discussed the upcoming Access Plan for population centres in the region, set for implementation next year. The Mayors’ Council meets every two months on a rotating basis across the 19 municipalities of Alt Urgell, serving as a key consultative body for comarcal planning under Catalan law.
Primary sources: gencat.cat, Generalitat de Catalunya. Departament de Drets Socials, ejoventut.gencat.cat. Reported by pirineusdigital.cat, Office7, joves.alturgell.cat, laciutat.cat, naciodigital.cat, David Expósito J, alturgell.cat, Pirineus Digital.
