Barcelona acted as the host city of the XXVI Foro Ciudades por el Empleo (16th Cities for Employment Forum), a local cooperation network focused on municipal employment policies. The city hosted the meeting of twenty town and city councils of cities with more than 100,000 inhabitants in Spain. The forum, held between 9th and 10th March, was held in the Sala Emprèn of Barcelona Activa. 

The aim of the meetings and the relationship between municipalities was to focus on enhancing collaboration between municipal administrations through cooperation and the exchange of good practices. The forum also aimed to improve the effectiveness of employment policies and increase the capacities of services to increase the impact and results of local actions.

The forum included roundtables, visits and presentations of success stories and new laws that are being implemented. Among other events, the participants in the meetings were able to visit Barcelona Activa facilities aimed at promoting quality employment. For example, visits were made to Porta22 and also to The Convent, where they were able to learn about the new employment service for young people. 

Representatives of Barcelona Activa also participated in a roundtable in which experiences were shared in employment policies with a gender perspective. The agency presented different initiatives, such as the service of Labour Defence Rights Points  and its impact on quality employment and gender equality.

Furthermore, as part of the celebration of the forum, a manifesto was also approved and signed on the occasion of International Women's Day, which counted on the collaboration of the different town and city councils involved in the Forum. 

If you want more information about the meeting, you can find it at this link.