The Citizen Participation School of Parla has seen a significant increase in its enrolment, with nearly a hundred participants this year. The new edition will begin after the summer, offering training on municipal procedures.
The Citizen Participation School of Parla has experienced remarkable growth in its participation, reaching nearly a hundred attendees during the 2025-2026 course. This free programme, driven by the City Council, aims to equip citizens with the skills to manage administrative procedures and encourage greater involvement in community life. According to data provided by the Department of Citizen Participation, this figure represents almost double that of the previous year.
From October last year to June this year, monthly sessions have been held both in the morning and evening to facilitate attendance. The workshops have covered a wide range of topics relevant to citizens and local associations. These include aspects such as the Citizen Folder, basic budget preparation, associative rights and obligations, as well as information on grants and projects.
Councillor Andrés Correa Barbado highlighted that these training sessions are essential for helping residents navigate municipal bureaucracy: "Training sessions have addressed topics such as the Right of Petition or the Transparency Portal to help citizens carry out procedures." This initiative not only seeks to educate citizens about their rights and duties but also to empower them to actively participate in their community.
Throughout the course, 41 local associations have been represented among the participants, reflecting a growing interest from the associative fabric in improving their organisational and administrative capabilities. The overall assessment of the programme has been very positive, with an average score of 4.6 out of 5, indicating a high degree of satisfaction among attendees.
As the current course comes to an end, preparations for the next edition are already underway. Councillor Correa has announced that more details about the fifth edition will be revealed right after the summer. Such programmes are becoming essential tools for bringing local administration closer to citizens and facilitating processes that traditionally require specialised advice.
As Parla continues to develop initiatives like this school, it is clear that there is a strong commitment from the City Council towards greater transparency and citizen participation. Interested parties can stay tuned for upcoming municipal communications to register for this valuable educational opportunity.





