ERC-backed school support plan approved in Barcelona

€3 million for after-school academic support

At the September plenary session on 25 September 2026, Barcelona City Council approved a municipal educational reinforcement programme proposed by ERC, allocating €3 million to provide free after-school academic support in public schools. The programme targets primary and secondary students in Barcelona, aiming to strengthen basic skills, improve study habits, and prevent school dropout, according to the proposal text. The support will take place outside regular school hours and offer personalised assistance in stable, accessible spaces across the city. The initiative received backing from the Collboni government (PSC), Junts, and PP, while Barcelona en Comú abstained.

An opportunity has arisen with the increase in the surcharge on cruises and, in the agreement between ERC and the municipal government, now those who visit us, at least, we will make them pay for a better childhood in the city.

€1 million for extracurricular access

An additional €1 million will be directed to scholarships for extracurricular activities, ensuring children from low-income families are not excluded due to economic barriers. This brings the total investment to €4 million.

Funding from cruise passenger surcharge

The funds will come from a progressive increase in the municipal tourist surcharge on short-stay cruise passengers, those spending less than 12 hours in the city. Under the approved measure, the surcharge will rise from €5 to €12 per person in 2027, increasing by €4 annually until it reaches €24 in 2030. This is in addition to the €6 tourist tax collected by the Generalitat, meaning the total cost for such passengers could reach €30 by the end of the decade. The city projects that maintaining current cruise passenger volumes will generate sufficient revenue to fund these educational initiatives. The agreement between ERC and the municipal government secured ERC's support for the surcharge increase in exchange for the allocation of funds to education. Elisenda Alamany, ERC’s lead candidate for the 2027 municipal elections, stated in comments to TOT Barcelona that the measure ensures "the success of the city benefits everyone and not just a few. This is how we protect our Barcelona."