Technology
Barcelona Launches Digital Literacy Initiative Expanding Through 2027
City officials detail upcoming tools and programs set to roll out through 2027.
How we reported this
Barcelona city hall released its updated digital literacy roadmap on 10 July, listing three new apps and two expanded training modules scheduled for launch next year.
The plan arrives as residents face rising demands from remote work platforms and automated public services that require stronger online navigation skills. Local data from the 2025 municipal survey showed 48 percent of adults over 45 still struggle with basic cybersecurity tasks, pushing officials to accelerate product development rather than rely on existing workshops.
Work will begin in the 22@ district where Barcelona Activa has already earmarked space for a new testing lab, while the Biblioteca Jaume Fuster in Gràcia will host pilot sessions for the first app aimed at older users. Both sites sit within easy reach of metro lines and will accept walk-in registrations starting in September.
Scheduled Product Launches
The roadmap lists a mobile tool called SafeNet BCN priced at €12 for annual access that teaches phishing recognition through short daily drills. A second product, an interactive dashboard for filing city permits, will integrate with the existing Barcelona Digital City platform and become available free to all registered residents from March 2027. Developers also plan to update the current literacy portal with AI-guided lessons that adapt to user progress, drawing on usage data collected since the portal opened in 2023.
Funding comes from a €2.4 million allocation approved in the 2026 budget, with €800,000 earmarked specifically for product testing in Poblenou venues. Early trials at the Can Batlló cultural centre last month recorded a 37 percent improvement in task completion rates among participants aged 55 to 70.
Next Steps for Residents
Anyone interested can visit the Barcelona Activa website to join a waitlist for the September pilots or call the district office at the 22@ hub for printed guides. The first public demonstration of SafeNet BCN is set for 15 September at the Jaume Fuster library, with further sessions planned across Eixample libraries before year end.