Municipality/Region

Catalonia, Spain

Summary

The ACOL programme, implemented by the Generalitat de Catalunya (Government of Catalonia), gives people who are in an irregular situation, but who could regularise their status if they have a one-year employment contract, the opportunity to do so. The programme sponsors non-profit organisations to hire people with irregular status.

Areas of integration covered by practice

• Integration of migrants in the labour market
• Undocumented migrants

Background and purpose

In Catalonia, there are approximately 100,000 irregular migrants. Due to their administrative situation, they are more vulnerable than other populations. This group is more likely to experience violence and violation of their rights. This programme therefore offers a chance to regularise their status and promotes social mobility.

Timeframe

This programme started in 2018 and is ongoing.

How does it work?

Organisations that fulfill the programme’s requirements can apply for a grant, awarded by the Employment Service of Catalonia, to hire a person for 12 months. To be eligible for the grant, the organisation needs to provide documentation about the person they plan to hire.

Once the grant has been awarded, the organisation submits a job description to the Employment Service of Catalonia. The organisation also submits the employment contract and the request for a work permit (completed by the person to be employed) to the Sub-delegation of the Spanish Government. Before starting the job, the beneficiary employee needs to enrol in the Employment Service of Catalonia as a person who is seeking job-improvement opportunities.

During the year in which the person is employed, the organisation needs to guarantee 40 to 60 hours of training to improve the chances of future employment.

Results and evaluation

The first edition of the programme is still underway, so the long-term outcome has yet to be evaluated.

So far, 86 people have regularised their administrative situation. All beneficiaries of the programme have stable income through employment for the next year, as well as training to improve their skills.

Funding

This programme is financed entirely by the Generalitat de Catalunya (Government of Catalonia), through the Catalan Employment Service. The annual budget is approximately €1 million.

Further information

Website of the practice