Acknowledging the importance of 'arnasguneak' (linguistic refuges) for the revival of minority languages, UEMA (Association of Basque-speaking Municipalities) has launched the "Esnatu" initiative to strengthen the position of Basque. Demographic projections by Siadeco suggest that current trends could lead to a decline phase for the language.
This initiative aims to activate society, and the Oñati City Council decided to join it in its latest plenary session. The council has undertaken six specific commitments: adhering to the linguistic criteria approved in the usage plan; incorporating and monitoring language requirements in all public procurement; guaranteeing free Basque language courses; programming leisure activities for children and youth exclusively in Basque; taking firm steps towards the normalization of Basque in areas of municipal competence; and increasing resources for initiatives to help newcomers learn Basque.
The proposal was presented as a motion by EH Bildu, and the PNV (Basque Nationalist Party) joined it. The PNV also presented another motion, titled "To protect and strengthen linguistic refuges," which did not pass.
