Barcelona sports scholarships have reached a record 17,570 students for the 2025-2026 academic year through the city’s Institut Barcelona Esports programme.

The initiative represents a €4.6 million investment in extracurricular sporting activities across all districts.

This substantial funding increase of approximately €100,000 compared to last year demonstrates the city’s commitment to making sports accessible to all children.

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Furthermore, the programme now works with 343 approved organisations, one more than the previous academic period.

Barcelona Sports Scholarships Target Health And Inclusion

The council’s primary objective focuses on promoting healthy habits from childhood while ensuring accessible, inclusive and quality sporting opportunities. Councillor for Sports David Escudé emphasised that physical activity improves health while fostering integration, social relationships and values education.

“We want all children in the city to be able to practise and enjoy sport,” Escudé stated. The scholarships specifically target families with limited incomes who have children aged between 6 and 17 years.

District analysis reveals Nou Barris received the highest allocation with 3,779 scholarships, followed by Sant Martí with 2,788 and Horta-Guinardó with 2,282. Additionally, Sant Andreu secured 2,201 awards while Sants-Montjuïc obtained 1,975 and Ciutat Vella received 1,746.

The remaining districts show Eixample with 1,337 scholarships, Gràcia with 793, Les Corts with 337 and Sarrià-Sant Gervasi with 290. This distribution ensures comprehensive coverage across Barcelona’s diverse neighbourhoods.

Meanwhile, the city continues to invest in youth development through various initiatives. The sports scholarship programme complements other council efforts to support young residents, including recent housing support measures for families facing financial challenges.

According to the official announcement, the expanded Barcelona sports scholarships programme represents a significant step toward creating more equitable sporting opportunities. The initiative forms part of broader council strategies addressing social inclusion through accessible recreational activities.

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