Nausica: Barcelona’s Municipal Programme Providing Comprehensive Support to Refugees and Migrants in Temporary Housing
Barcelona
Mayor
Jaume Collboni Cuadrado
Start of Project
04/01/2026
End of Project
Ongoing
Overview
The Barcelona City Council commits to continuing and strengthening the Nausica Programme, which is a municipal resource that since 2016 has provided temporary shelter, comprehensive care, and support for self-sufficiency to asylum seekers and migrants already residing in the city who do not receive state assistance. The programme serves both families and individuals, tailoring its services to the specific needs of each household.
It is part of the Service for Immigrants, Emigrants, and Refugees (in Spanish: SAIER) and is based on a holistic approach that places people’s needs at the centre, enabling effective coordination between municipal services and social organizations.
Nausica provides temporary housing, socio-educational and psychological support, legal assistance, help with finding housing, language training, and career guidance. Thanks to this structure, it serves as a bridging resource that facilitates complex social integration processes and prevents situations of vulnerability during critical stages of the migration process.
Its methodology redefines autonomy beyond the economic sphere, promoting community participation, the creation of social networks, and autonomous access to urban resources, thereby strengthening full inclusion in city life.
Expected Impact
Since the program’s inception in 2016 through 2025, 510 individuals from 45 different countries have participated in the Nausica program.
Over the past five years (2020–2025), 88.5% of new participants who secured a spot in Nausica completed the program by meeting the objectives set at the start of their participation.
In 2025, a roadmap was developed for an impact assessment of the program, which will enable the improvement and standardization of the analytical tools available within the framework of existing municipal systems and will conduct a specific evaluation of the Nausica program’s impact on a predefined control group.
Lessons Learned
Among the positive lessons, its tangible impact on the social and economic autonomy of participants stands out, as validated by independent evaluations that highlight improvements in integration, language skills, and the ability to navigate city life. This progress aligns with the global call to promote inclusion at the local level through people-centered interventions.
Another positive lesson is its recognition by international organizations: the OECD highlights Nausica as a best practice in multilevel governance, demonstrating how cooperation between public administrations and third-sector entities improves integration outcomes. This coordination underscores the key role of local governments as strategic actors in international protection.
Likewise, the program redefines autonomy by incorporating community and relational dimensions, promoting participation, support networks, and safe access to urban services, which reinforces sustainable, rights-centered models of inclusion.
However, significant challenges also emerge. One of them is its limited capacity: Nausica reaches only a portion of those in need, reflecting the tension between actual demand and municipal resources. This challenge illustrates the need for greater funding and state support, consistent with the call to strengthen shared governance.
The complexity of the cases handled and the diversity of personal circumstances require intensive and specialized interventions, which place a significant operational burden on the teams.
Finally, preliminary assessments have identified the need to improve data and monitoring systems, which is essential for strengthening evidence-based policies. This improvement is planned through the impact evaluation.
Priority Objectives
Protecting those most vulnerable
Providing access to urban infrastructure, social services and education regardless of status
Supporting reception and advancing community sponsorship initiatives
“Through the Nausica Program, we demonstrate Barcelona’s firm commitment to migrants and refugees, offering them a safe space where they can rebuild their lives, strengthen their independence, and move toward a dignified future full of opportunities.”