The Generalitat de Catalunya will launch a new mobile citizen service next week. It will deploy five vehicles to provide administrative support in 200 small and rural municipalities across Catalonia. This initiative aims to improve access to essential government services for residents facing geographical dispersion or mobility limitations.

Expanding Access to Public Services

These mobile offices, officially known as Oficines d'Atenció Ciutadana (OAC) mòbils, will visit each designated municipality once a month. Each visit will last between 1.5 and 3 hours, typically occurring during morning hours. The Generalitat has committed a significant investment of 2.4 million euros for 2026 and 2027. This supports the comprehensive programme. Each specially equipped vehicle will carry a driver and a dedicated digital agent. They will offer a range of services. These include information on various procedures and support for completing online transactions. They also assist with registering for digital identification systems. Furthermore, residents can manage appointments with the administration directly through these mobile units.

The service will allow residents to renew official certificates, apply for various types of aid, and submit general queries. This eliminates the need for individuals to undertake long journeys to larger towns or cities. It also reduces their reliance on family members or other companions for transport. This directly addresses significant challenges faced by elderly populations and those in remote areas of Catalonia. The Generalitat stated this measure aligns with its new model of citizen attention. This model aims to reform public administration and enhance overall accessibility for all citizens.

Successful Pilot Paves the Way

The implementation of these mobile OACs follows a highly successful pilot programme. This programme was conducted in Terres de l'Ebre, Tarragona. This initial trial began in mid-2024. It received "great acceptance" from local communities. The pilot primarily assisted individuals over 65 years old. This demonstrated the critical need for such services among older demographics. In less than two years, the Terres de l'Ebre pilot facilitated a total of 2,047 transactions and administrative procedures. These included crucial tasks. Examples are setting up digital identification systems and submitting applications for various benefits and permits. It also covered applying for subsidies for renewable energy installations or the purchase of electric vehicles. The positive outcomes from this pilot strongly supported the decision to expand the service region-wide.

Strategic Routes and Selection Criteria

The five mobile OACs will each follow a distinct route. This ensures balanced geographical coverage across the entire Catalan territory. For instance, one route will cover comarques such as Osona, Maresme, and Vallès Oriental in Barcelona province. It will also include Ripollès and Alt Empordà in Girona. Another route will serve areas like Alt Urgell, Cerdanya, and Aran in Lleida. The Generalitat meticulously selected the 200 participating municipalities based on several key criteria. These included the age demographic of the local population. Another criterion was the distance to the nearest comarcal council, requiring it to be over 13 kilometres. Additionally, a municipality qualified if its nearest physical OAC was more than 30 kilometres away. Alternatively, it qualified if it required over 1 hour and 20 minutes of travel time. Finally, municipalities where more than 13% of administrative transactions typically occur in person were prioritised.

This expansion of mobile services represents a significant step by the Generalitat. It aims to bridge the digital divide and ensure equitable access to administrative support for all Catalan citizens. It particularly benefits those residing in underserved rural communities, fostering greater inclusion and convenience.

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Originally published by Europa Press Barcelona. Read original article.