Barcelona City Council has launched Barcelona Social, a new mobile app for the city’s 93,700 Social Services users. The tool is meant to make routine procedures quicker and cut down on paperwork.
The app was tested for six months before launch, with hundreds of users and about 50 workers taking part. Raquel Gil, the Fifth Deputy Mayor for Social Rights, said it is part of the Barcelona Fàcil plan, which aims to make the council’s relationship with residents more agile, understandable and accessible.
One pilot user, Estelvina Noemí Benegas, said the new system means she does not have to queue as much or make so much effort to get a document. She added that it lets her do procedures in her free time, without missing work. Her first action on the app was downloading her Social Services user certificate to apply for the subsidised T-Mobilitat transport card.
The Barcelona Fàcil plan is designed to simplify administrative processes across different council departments. For residents who rely on public services, the idea is to make everyday dealings with the city smoother and less frustrating.
Sonia Fuertes, the Commissioner for Social Action, said the app will reduce the bureaucratic burden and restore the role of support and connection between users and workers. That should leave staff with more time for direct help and less time spent on paperwork.
The Barcelona City Council says the app was developed by the Institut Municipal de Serveis Socials (IMSS) and the Institut Municipal Barcelona Innovació i Tecnologia (BIT). It is another step in the city’s digital public services push, with the focus on making access simpler for people who need it most.
Originally published by betevé. Read original article.
