The service will be located within the Town Hall itself and will centralize information on fundamental matters such as registration and documentation, access to the healthcare system, learning Euskera and Spanish, schooling, employment and training, as well as available social resources and support. When necessary, Harreragunea will refer individuals to the corresponding specialized services, in coordination with municipal departments and other social and community agents.
The mayor of Eibar, Jon Iraola, highlighted the importance of having such a service: "We want people arriving in Eibar to find a place to go from the very first moment, where they can receive information, resolve their doubts, and learn about the resources available to them. Welcome is the first step to building coexistence based on respect, equal opportunities, and participation. We want all the people who choose Eibar to live here to feel part of our city."
For her part, the Councilor for Social Services, Sonia Archeli, emphasized the practical and coordinated nature of the initiative: "Often, when a person arrives in a new municipality, they are unaware of the procedures they need to follow, the services they can access, or the resources available to them. With Harreragunea, we want to facilitate this path, offer orientation adapted to each situation, and prevent people from having to go from one service to another without knowing where to find answers to their needs."
The launch of Harreragunea is part of the "Eibarren Bizi" strategy, which aims to promote comprehensive, coordinated, and community-based reception, fostering full citizenship and active participation of newcomers in the life of the municipality. The initiative aligns with the action lines outlined in Eibar's IV Plan for Coexistence and Diversity 2024-2028, as well as the implementation of the Basque Welcome Model and commitments established at the Basque level regarding citizenship, immigration, and coexistence.
The new service is also the result of a prior working process. The City Council has participated in the Harrera Ehundu initiative, promoted by the Basque Government and EUDEL, and between 2024 and 2026, it developed Eibar's first Welcome Protocol, in collaboration with municipal departments, local and regional entities, and associations.
Harreragunea is integrated into a broader strategy that also includes group welcome sessions, institutional welcome, and a digital resource guide. In this way, Eibar continues to advance towards a service model that facilitates knowledge of available services and strengthens coordination among the various stakeholders involved.
Harreragunea will offer in-person assistance on Tuesdays, from 9:30 AM to 2:00 PM, at the Eibar Town Hall, managed by the Immigration and Cultural Diversity technician. Assistance will be provided by appointment, which can be requested through the following channels: Telephone: 943 708 440 (Gizartekintza). WhatsApp: 747 490 471.
