Ranera made the remarks outside the former Miralbueno Youth Center, accompanied by councillor Francisco Galán and several young people. She denounced that, a year after eight municipal spaces were closed, “they remain closed and there is no alternative for young people in those neighborhoods.” In her view, the situation demonstrates the PP government’s “inability” to develop policies aimed at this group.
The Socialist spokesperson said that some users now have to travel to other districts to take part in activities. She cited the example of young people traveling from Parque Goya to San Gregorio or from Valdefierro to Casetas. “We are emptying the neighborhoods. Young people who do not have a Youth Zone, as is the case in Miralbueno, have to leave for other neighborhoods,” she lamented.
CITY COUNCIL DEFENDS ITS NEW YOUTH MODEL
Ruth Bravo, representing the municipal government, rejected the criticism and called on the PSOE, if it does not want to acknowledge “the success of youth policies,” to at least stop “sowing discord” about a model that, she argued, is in line with the provisions of the Youth Strategy 2030. The councillor said the City Council is listening directly to young people in order to adapt activities to their interests and concerns.
Bravo also highlighted the creation of a permanent Participation Lab where young people themselves work with Youth Service officials to design the municipal program. As evidence of the response, she noted that 825 young people took part in activities organized during the summer and announced that the program planned for this autumn will be presented in the coming days.
The PSOE, however, is calling for the physical spaces in the neighborhoods to be restored and considers the City Council’s new approach insufficient. “Young people cannot be abandoned, nor can essential spaces for neighborhood life be closed without offering any solution,” Ranera said. Bravo, for her part, maintained that increasing numbers of young people are taking part in the activities and said the City Council will continue developing this model.
