Support for the Implementation of Feminist Projects in Small Municipalities

Challenge

As part of the Barcelona Provincial Council’s Service Catalogue, the Equality Policies Service sought to support small municipalities in the implementation of local feminist policies by strengthening the participation of community stakeholders in their design and delivery. The aim was to provide specialised technical support tailored to the needs of municipalities with fewer than 10,000 inhabitants, equipping them with the tools and methodologies needed to promote participatory processes that integrate feminist and LGBTI+ perspectives into local policies and initiatives.

The project was implemented in the municipalities of Martorelles, Navàs and Subirats, each facing different challenges, including strengthening collaboration with local organisations, creating permanent participatory spaces, and developing joint awareness-raising, training and planning initiatives.

Response

To address these needs, a tailored technical support process was carried out in each of the three municipalities, adapting the work plan to their specific priorities and local context. The project was structured around three main phases:

• Kick-off meeting, aimed at identifying the municipality’s needs, agreeing on shared objectives, and defining the work plan.
• Technical support process, consisting of participatory working sessions to identify local needs and existing assets, prioritise actions, foster collaboration between municipal departments and local organisations, and jointly plan the implementation of projects tailored to each municipality. The sessions were complemented by specialised technical advice to support the planning and delivery of the agreed actions.
• Evaluation report, summarising the main outcomes of the process, the lessons learned, and recommendations to ensure the continuity and consolidation of local feminist policies.

The project strengthened the municipalities’ capacity to develop feminist policies through participatory approaches, fostering stronger partnerships between local governments and community organisations while supporting the design and implementation of initiatives adapted to the needs and opportunities of each local context.