The rewards campaign ‘Li Toca al Barri’ begins today. It is an initiative by the Barcelona City Council and the NOVACT Association whose objective is to revitalise and strengthen the local economy and municipal markets of 10 neighbourhoods which form the Eix Besòs*, as well as offering support to locals whose purchasing power has been weakened. The campaign will be extended until the 31st of July 2020, or until bonuses have run out.

Promoted by Barcelona Activa and the Barcelona City Council’s Neighbourhood Plan, the campaign also intends to contribute to the digital transformation of the local economy, and foster a greater sense of belonging within the 10 neighbourhoods of Nou Barris, Sant Andreu and Sant Martí which form part of the campaign.

A budget of 100,000 euros has been allocated to give a 15% bonus on purchases made with the citizen currency, which will consequently boost the local economy. To be able to participate in the campaign, the REC mobile application via the App Store or Google Play must be downloaded. Users must then register as an individual and make an initial exchange of minimum 10 euros to 10 RECs. From this, a Li Toca al Barri account will be created, where 15% of each purchase made will be accumulated and made available for future purchases.

For the consumer, it is a safe, instant and cost-free way of payment. For traders, revenues are increased: RECs only circulate between local businesses which form part of the network. More information on these businesses can be found on the application.

Cooperation and coordination to face future challenges

Li Toca al Barri is a joint project by the Barcelona City Council and the NOVACT Association, which includes the participation of Barcelona Activa, The Neighbourhood Plan and The Directorate for Cooperative, Social and Solidarity Economy and Food Policy.

The Li Toca al Barri campaign is just one of the actions corresponding to economic activity in the Neighbourhood Plan of Barcelona. Implemented between September 2018 and November 2019, it provides continuity for the REC citizen currency, implemented in the same geographical area and in the framework of the European project BMINCOME.

In July 2020, the consortium Generalised Méritos (GMeRitS), which forms part of the REC citizen currency, was awarded the EIC Prize on Blockchains for Social Good, granted by the European Commission’s Enhanced European Innovation Council (EIC).

*The 10 neighbourhoods of the Eix Besòs are: Ciutat Meridiana, Vallbona, Torre Baró, les Roquetes, la Trinitat Nova, la Trinitat Vella, Baró de Viver, el Bon Pastor, la Verneda i la Pau, i el Besòs i el Maresme