SALAM Workshops: Inclusive Labour Market in Barcelona
19/06/2025
On 16–17 June 2025, the Public Employment Service of Catalonia (SOC) hosted the third SALAM -Sustainable AccessibIlity to the LAbour Market Interreng Europe project Workshops and Peer Learning Event in Barcelona. The event brought together SALAM partners and stakeholders from across Europe for two days of collaborative learning, policy dialogue, and field visits focused on migrant labour market integration.
As advisory partner in the SALAM project, EARLALL supported the organisation of this workshop, contributing to the coordination of regional bilateral exchanges and leading the project’s communication efforts. Our role ensures that learnings from these events are widely shared and that regions receive guidance to maximise the impact of their practices.
Learning from Catalonia’s Approach
The event began with welcoming remarks from Francisco Ramos, Secretary of Labour of the Generalitat de Catalunya, and an overview of the regional migration framework from David Moya, Director General for Migration and Refugees. Susana Diaz, Deputy Director of SOC, presented Catalonia’s main strategies to support immigrant integration through employment.
A technical session followed on the region’s First Reception Service, presented by Rosa Sancho, and a local case study on the Sant Hilari Sacalm Citizenship Plan, shared by Erika Zárate from Resilience Earth.
In the afternoon, participants visited Formació i Treball, a social enterprise that supports vulnerable groups through training and job placement. The visit showcased the ACOL policy instrument, which links employment to social support and training.
The day continued with a visit to Barcelona Activa, the city’s economic development agency. Presentations by Xavier Dumont and Cinta Arasa highlighted services for entrepreneurs and job seekers, with a focus on supporting migrant communities.
Showcasing Regional Practices and Employer Engagement
The second day focused on the ACOL programme, with an in-depth presentation by Marta Cañellas, Head of Employment Opportunities Programmes at SOC. A panel discussion followed, featuring implementation experiences from Consell Comarcal del Bages and Mescladís, alongside a testimonial from a programme participant.
A second panel explored the role of the private sector in supporting migrant employment. Representatives from PIMEC, Foment del Treball Nacional, and the Mayor of Guissona shared strategies for promoting inclusive hiring at local level.
In the afternoon, participants visited Grameimpuls, the economic development agency of Santa Coloma de Gramenet. The group toured the city’s employment and training facilities, including the Restoration School, where the closing lunch was held. The final session included remarks from Mireia González, Mayoress of Santa Coloma, along with representatives from SOC and the Generalitat.
Strengthening Cooperation through Bilateral Exchange
To close the event, project partners held bilateral meetings to deepen collaboration on specific SALAM policy instruments, including regional lifelong learning alliances, the Tübingen Model, and strategies to overcome language and welfare access barriers.
The SALAM event in Barcelona offered a hands-on learning experience grounded in real practice, with meaningful input from local institutions, employers, and civil society. It reinforced how regional cooperation, supported by structures like EARLALL, can lead to more inclusive and effective labour market integration policies.
The next SALAM peer learning seminar will continue this valuable exchange, reinforcing the project’s mission to foster sustainable and regionally tailored solutions for migrant inclusion across Europe.
