Catalonia: How Collective Action Shaped Social Victories Over 50 Years
Catalunya has a demonstrated history of social progress driven by collective action, a trend highlighted by the tenth anniversary in July 2025 of the unanimous approval of Law 24/2015 by the Parliament of Catalunya. This legislation addressed urgent needs in housing and energy poverty, emerging from a popular initiative led by the Plataforma de Afectados por la Hipoteca (PAH), the Aliança contra la Pobresa Energètica (APE), and the Observatorio DESCA, and backed by widespread public support.
A Legacy of Collective Action
The roots of this activism extend back to the Franco regime, where social and neighborhood movements were crucial in securing labor improvements and defending Catalan language and culture amidst repression. Since the transition to democracy, Catalunya has seen significant social victories achieved through organised mobilization, including Law 24/2015, the 2010 ban on bullfighting (Law 28/2010), and the establishment of the Renta Garantizada de Ciudadanía (RGC).
From Popular Initiatives to Law
Law 28/2010, prohibiting bullfighting, exemplifies this process. The platform Prou! gathered over 180,000 signatures, leading to its enactment after considerable debate. While the ban took effect on January 1, 2012, the last bullfight occurred during the Mercè festival in Barcelona in 2011, marking a major win for the Catalan animal rights movement. However, correbous continue in the Terres de l’Ebre region.
Five years later, Law 24/2015 tackled the housing and energy crises. Mònica Guiteras, a member of the APE, explained that the law represented a shift in perspective, recognising “energy and water are rights,” and that these essential services should not be cut off due to inability to pay. The initiative garnered 150,000 signatures—tripling the required amount—and broad public consensus.
Impact and Limitations
Between 2015 and 2020, the law is credited with preventing over 200,000 disconnections of essential services, and facilitated the installation of over 1,000 social water meters for families in precarious housing situations. Despite its success, Guiteras notes the law was a “pioneering, but emergency” measure, and that structural changes are needed within the housing and energy systems, where “powers that be” heavily influence legislation.
Beyond Legislation: Neighborhood-Level Struggles
Beyond these landmark laws, ongoing struggles at the local level demonstrate a commitment to improving quality of life. Miquel Borràs, president of the Federación de Asociaciones Vecinales de Barcelona (FAVB), identifies key areas of victory: public facilities, green spaces, urban planning, combating gentrification, defending political freedoms, and preserving the Catalan language.
Examples of these local victories include the Cocheras de Sants, Pati Llimona, Ateneu Popular de Nou Barris, Can Batlló, and the creation of parks like Glòries. These achievements, Borràs emphasizes, are “thanks to the collective struggle of the neighborhoods.”
The Evolving Landscape of Social Movements
Currently, Borràs observes a shift in the composition and focus of neighborhood associations. While many remain active, their strength varies depending on local history and present circumstances. Factors such as increased migration and housing insecurity contribute to a lack of long-term engagement. He notes a trend among younger activists to organise around specific issues—racism, housing, climate change, feminism, and language—rather than through broad-based associations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was Law 24/2015 designed to address?
Law 24/2015 was a package of urgent measures to address the emergency situations related to housing and energy poverty in Catalunya.
How did the ban on bullfighting come about?
The ban on bullfighting was enacted through Law 28/2010, following a popular initiative by the platform Prou! which collected over 180,000 signatures.
What are some of the key areas of focus for neighborhood associations in Barcelona?
Neighborhood associations focus on securing public facilities, creating green spaces, influencing urban planning, combating gentrification, defending political freedoms, and preserving the Catalan language.
As social movements in Catalunya evolve, maintaining solidarity networks and the capacity for collective organization will be crucial for defending rights and freedoms.