14 Nov The Sindicatura de Greuges de Barcelona
The Sindicatura de Greuges de Barcelona: An Institution Serving Citizens’ Rights
The Sindicatura de Greuges de Barcelona safeguards citizens’ rights, oversees the actions of Barcelona City Council, and promotes a more accessible, fair, and dialogue-oriented public administration. On 30 November, Ombudsman David Bondia will visit the La Bordeta neighbourhood as part of the “A prop teu” (“Close to You”) initiative to explain the institution’s work and listen to local residents’ concerns and needs.
What is the Sindicatura de Greuges de Barcelona?
The Sindicatura de Greuges de Barcelona is an independent institution that protects people’s rights and freedoms in their dealings with the municipal administration.
Its main responsibility is to oversee the actions of Barcelona City Council and the organisations and services under its authority, particularly when citizens believe their rights have not been respected.
Barcelona’s Ombudsman is David Bondia, a legal expert specialising in human rights, who has held the position since October 2021.
The Sindicatura operates independently and impartially. It can investigate situations, issue recommendations, and propose improvements to public services, although its decisions are not legally binding and do not replace court rulings.
In What Situations Can It Intervene?
The Sindicatura can intervene in matters closely related to everyday life in Barcelona’s neighbourhoods, including housing, social services, public spaces, mobility, noise disturbances, neighbourhood relations, and the operation of municipal facilities and services.
It can also act when someone believes they have been treated inappropriately by the public administration or has not received a satisfactory response to a complaint.
It is important to note that the Sindicatura does not resolve disputes exclusively between private individuals when there is no municipal involvement or responsibility. In such cases, community or neighbourhood mediation may be an appropriate way to seek a solution through dialogue.
How Can You Submit a Complaint?
Any individual or organisation can contact the Sindicatura if they believe that an action by the municipal administration has violated their rights.
Generally, before submitting a complaint, the issue must first have been raised with the relevant municipal department without receiving a satisfactory response or solution.
The procedure is free of charge and does not require a lawyer or legal representative. The Sindicatura examines complaints it accepts for consideration, requests information from the administration, and, where appropriate, issues recommendations to address the situations identified.
Anyone wishing to do so can submit a complaint through the Sindicatura’s official website.
Community Mediation and Conflict Resolution Through Dialogue
One particularly valuable aspect of the Sindicatura’s work is its commitment to dialogue and alternative dispute resolution mechanisms between citizens and public authorities.
The institution can encourage administrative mediation and conciliation procedures to facilitate agreements and find more satisfactory responses to the issues raised.
This approach shares many principles with community and neighbourhood mediation, which promotes active listening, mutual respect, participation, and the search for mutually acceptable solutions.
As a lawyer and mediator specialising in community and neighbourhood disputes, I particularly value initiatives that bring institutions closer to the people they serve. Many neighbourhood conflicts can be better addressed when spaces for trust, communication, and dialogue are available.
Mediation does not replace the protection of rights or the responsibilities of public authorities, but it can help prevent conflicts from escalating and improve relationships between citizens, community organisations, and institutions.
“A prop teu”: Barcelona’s Ombudsman Visits La Bordeta
On Monday, 30 November 2026, the La Bordeta neighbourhood, in Barcelona’s Sants-Montjuïc district, will host a meeting as part of the “A prop teu” (“Close to You”) initiative, with the participation of Barcelona’s Ombudsman, David Bondia.
The session will begin with an explanation of the Sindicatura’s responsibilities and its role in overseeing Barcelona City Council. This will be followed by an open discussion, allowing attendees to share their concerns, reflections, and proposals regarding the neighbourhood’s needs.
Event details
- Date: Monday, 30 November 2026.
- Time: 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
- Venue: CAL – Coordinadora d’Associacions per la Llengua Catalana.
- Address: Carrer d’Olzinelles, 118, 08014 Barcelona, Spain.
The meeting will take place thanks to the collaboration of CAL – Coordinadora d’Associacions per la Llengua Catalana, an organisation committed to promoting the Catalan language, culture, and social cohesion, which has made its premises available for this initiative.
We particularly encourage residents of La Bordeta, as well as individuals and organisations from Sants, Hostafrancs, and other Barcelona neighbourhoods, to attend.
It will be an excellent opportunity to learn more about the Sindicatura, raise concerns, and reflect together on how to improve community relations, public services, and quality of life in our neighbourhoods.
Further Information and Contact Details
Sindicatura de Greuges de Barcelona
Official website: www.sindicaturabarcelona.cat
The website provides information about the institution’s responsibilities, how to submit complaints, and its contact details.
CAL – Coordinadora d’Associacions per la Llengua Catalana
Official website: www.cal.cat
Address: Carrer d’Olzinelles, 118, 08014 Barcelona, Spain.
Knowing our rights, having accessible institutions, and encouraging dialogue are essential to building more participatory, cohesive, and respectful neighbourhoods.
Daniel Sererols Villalón
Lawyer, Conflict Mediator and Private Conciliator
Tel.: +34 661 463 306
Website: mediadorconflictos.com
LinkedIn: Daniel Sererols Villalón – Mediator