Since the pandemic, young people have faced growing challenges such as isolation, anxiety, and limited socioeconomic support. In 2020, over 30% of young people in Catalonia, Spain, reported symptoms of anxiety or panic attacks, twice the rate of the general population. Socioeconomic factors such as early school leaving (16,9%), high youth unemployment (20,3%), and low emancipation rates (only 18,9%) have only added to the pressure. As these needs became more visible, local youth services required new tools to respond directly.
This is where the “Youth Listening” (or “Escolta Jove”, in Catalan) initiative comes in. Launched in 2022 by ESN member Barcelona County Council, this programme connects trained professionals directly with young people, making local youth services more proactive and responsive to their everyday realities.
“We seek to empower local authorities through cooperation and capacity building, so they can deliver high-quality, context-sensitive services. The programme embodies key values of local autonomy and proximity to communities”, explained Gemma Parera Álvarez, Technical Adviser at Barcelona County Council
As effective support to young people generally requires building trust, activities under this initiative range from group workshops and emotional skill-building to informal one-to-one mentoring, even via WhatsApp.
Professionals work from within the community and alongside other social actors, acting as accessible figures that are connected to other relevant professionals in social services. This focus on proximity and active listening allows mentors to detect vulnerabilities early and refer young people to appropriate services and resources when needed.
By building trust, the “Youth Listening” programme helps young people strengthen their autonomy and emotional well-being. Joan, a 23-year-old from Granollers, is one example. With the support of his mentor and after 19 weekly sessions, he regained confidence, rebuilt social ties, and found stability after a difficult period marked by mental health struggles and a return to his family home following unsuccessful emancipation.
Since its launch, “Youth Listening” has reached over 85,000 individuals like Joan. It did so through 18,000 direct actions across 310 municipalities. This ensures proximity, which is key for building trust and tailoring intervention. In fact, the evidence shows that the initiative is addressing challenges related to social inclusion and emotional well-being, especially in contexts of vulnerability.
As of 2025, over 260 trained professionals are part of this growing network of mentors. “This extensive professional network ensures local presence and proximity, essential factors for trust-building and tailored intervention”, noted Parera Álvarez.
The initiative is supported by a €5 million investment and will continue until at least 2028 as a cornerstone of the province’s youth policy. The Barcelona County Council is now focusing on further developing the programme’s impact monitoring and methodology, which is replicable across territories.
In the context of the International Youth Day on 12 August, this example highlights how social services can adapt to support young people in challenging times. Built on trust and community presence, the “Youth Listening” programme also reiterates the commitment of ESN and its members to responsive, person-centred, and high-quality youth services.