The document discusses issues related to immigration, education, and integration in the Raval district of Barcelona. Specifically: 1) Raval has a high percentage of immigrants from low-income, non-EU countries which makes integration into Catalan society difficult. Average salaries are much lower than in Barcelona, making illegal activities more attractive. 2) Education levels are low in Raval, with 87% of the population having less than a high school education. This leads to lower standards of living as families do not have enough income to buy homes and residences often lack heating and are older. 3) The lack of integration and marginalization has led to the creation of ghettos in Raval as the

1. Vicious circle in terms of low
education, limited job opportunities and
integration
Issues
I. (illegal) immigration and integration to Spanish society
i. Raval has 47% official immigration vs. 12% in Barcelona – most coming from low-income, non-EU
countries (Pakistanis account for 14% of Raval’s population)
ii. More than 16 nationalities leads to higher difficulty integrating into Catalan society
iii. Avg. salary of €11k vs. €17k of Barcelona, illegal activity (crime, prostitution, etc.) becomes attractive
alternative
II. Low education levels and lack of access to the job market lead to lower standards
of living
i. 87% of Raval’s population has below highschool education (“Segundo Grado”)
ii. Families do not have enough disposable income to buy a residence and have lower standards of living
– Raval is the most densely populated district of Barcelona ( 45k/km2 in Raval vs. 16k/km2 in Barcelona)
– Most residences are rentals (60% in Raval vs. 28% in Barcelona)
– Most residences do not have heating (77% in Raval vs. 51% in Barcelona)
– Most residences date from before 1900s (58% in Raval vs. 9% in Barcelona)
III. Marginalization from society and creation of ghettos in Raval
I. State does not actively seek to provide wealthfare state to illegal immigrants (although they may offer
basic health protection and education)

2. Solutions for Raval
• Integration of kids
– Protection from the parents’ trades (drug dealing and prostitution)
– Integration in social groups (Sports, Studies, Crafts, Music&Dance)
– Fostering diversity as a value-added for their growth
– Promoting scholarships from prestigious high-schools for the best students
of Raval schools (Programas de Becas de Escolarización)
• Government support (tax breaks, grants, etc) to support local
ventures
– Fostering self-employment will get people off the streets
• Support women’s empowerment through training and/or grants
– May create another source of income for family
– Women tend to provide for the family
– Creates a safer environment for the children
• Stronger collaboration between NGOs in Raval
– Tighter relationship between different NGOs will enable a lasting impact in
the society as a whole

3. Integration best practices
• “Born into Brothels” – Kids with Cameras
– Gave cameras to the children of prostitutes in Calcutta (Red Light
area), made a movie and an exposition with the pictures taken by the kids
– the funds then payed for studies of the kids abroad
• “Bolsa Família” – Government of Brazil
– Programme in Brazil to motivate poor families to put children in schools
(vs. using them as labour)
– Families of successful students receive monthly government subsidies
• “Women’s Empowerment” – United Nations /
World Bank
– Focus on gender equality: training and/or funding to women-owned
businesses
– Women tend to spend their money on the family more than men