The Vitoria-Gasteiz City Council and the Asociación Goian are collaborating on the second edition of the ‘Ongi Etorri Gasteiz’ program, which seeks to promote coexistence in the city. This program, with a budget of 60,000 euros, is made possible by the budgetary agreement signed between the municipal government and EH Bildu for 2026.
The initiative implements educational, integrative, and community strategies to reach out to young people in situations of exclusion within the city. Following an initial diagnosis, it encourages their participation in various services, fostering mutual understanding among residents and guiding them through their pathways, as explained by the Councilor for Coexistence and Diversity, Pascual Borja, thereby promoting a more just, egalitarian, and solidary Vitoria-Gasteiz.
EH Bildu councilor Alberto Porras highlighted that the project aims to continue working on coexistence in a community and preventive manner in the neighborhoods, intervening with young people in vulnerable situations. He emphasized the importance of prevention to avoid the chronicling of cases and the need to build strong, cohesive communities as the main axis of coexistence.
The program's initial diagnosis examines the situation of young migrants who are homeless, have complex administrative situations, and face difficulties accessing the job market. Understanding the current situation of these adults is crucial to grasping the multifactorial exclusion they experience.
To address this situation, within the framework of ‘Ongi Etorri Gasteiz’, Goian has worked in neighborhoods such as Adurza, Coronación, Ariznabarra, Gazalbide, El Pilar, Judizmendi, Zaramaga, Ibaiondo, and Salburua, building bridges between local agents and young people, with the aim of establishing a community action protocol.
Participation in the project has enabled young people to exercise their right to social and political participation, breaking down racist stereotypes. They have also been involved in activities such as social photography workshops and subsequent exhibitions.
The ‘Ongi Etorri Gasteiz’ program, also developed in the Casco Histórico (Old Town), reinforces the City Council's efforts against exclusion in the Alava capital. The Council has been collaborating with Goian for 16 years on the ‘Iniciativa Educativa Comunitaria del Casco Viejo’ project, articulating networks and resources to meet the population's leisure needs.
