For the eighth consecutive year, the Public Employment Service of Catalonia (SOC) has launched the ACOL line of the Work and Training Program, an initiative designed to integrate into the formal job market one of the groups most at risk of social exclusion: non-EU migrants in irregular administrative situations. This opportunity also allows social organizations to strengthen their teams with individuals who can bring significant added value, advancing toward true social transformation that leaves no one behind.
The ACOL line is one of the calls that form part of the SOC Employment Promotion Program. This program aims to improve the employability of unemployed or inactive individuals facing difficulties in accessing the job market or in situations of particular vulnerability through three types of actions: employment, training, and support. These actions, defined in occupational projects designed by the beneficiary entities, allow participants to gain work experience and training in a real work environment while receiving specific technical support tailored to their personal needs and characteristics. Besides the ACOL call, there are other calls targeted at vulnerable groups, such as one for young people who have been in care, or for nonprofit organizations (ESAL) focusing on groups like unemployed women, people whose gender does not match the one assigned at birth, and individuals experiencing long-term unemployment.
New Features in the 2025 Call
This year’s call introduces significant changes to the submission process. Organizations are now required to submit an occupational project when they apply, while specific documentation on the beneficiaries to be hired will be provided during the provisional resolution phase. This differs from previous calls, where all documentation, including that of candidates, had to be submitted in the initial phase as it was necessary for project evaluation. Additionally, this year’s call includes other relevant modifications that organizations should consider:
- Grouped Projects: Several organizations may submit projects together under a coordinated proposal, facilitating broader, more complex projects that can offer more integrated solutions adapted to the needs of the collective.
- New Evaluation Criteria: The evaluation focuses more on the technical quality of the occupational project than on the vulnerability of the candidates, seeking to approve projects that provide the best care and have a significant impact on beneficiaries. However, vulnerability criteria remain and will be part of the selection process conducted after the grant decision.
- Mandatory Actions: Selected projects must include three types of actions: employment, training, and support, ensuring comprehensive integration and inclusion into the workforce.
Target Population
The ACOL line targets non-EU migrants who receive temporary residency permits for exceptional circumstances and work authorization due to social integration, based on a pre-employment contract executed by the beneficiary organization within the framework of this call.
Within this group, priority will be given to the following:
- Individuals with a minimum of five years of residence.
- Individuals with economically dependent family members living in Catalonia, especially if family members have functional diversity and/or if the person is a single parent.
- Individuals experiencing homelessness (roofless, substandard housing, and emergency or temporary housing).
- Women experiencing gender-based violence, victims of human trafficking, victims of sexual exploitation, or those engaged in sex work.
- Young people under 30, formerly in care, without family references in Catalonia, who have been in the care of DGAIA or equivalent child protection institutions.
- Individuals in need of international protection whose application has been denied.
- Individuals with physical and/or cognitive disabilities.
- Individuals aged 45 or older and those aged 25 or younger.
- Individuals facing discrimination due to their sexual orientation or gender identity.
Eligible Actions
a) Employment: Contracts will be for 12 months, full-time, with some exceptions for individuals with family responsibilities. The maximum number of contracts per project is 12, or up to 50% of the organization’s workforce. For grouped projects, the maximum number of contracts is 12 plus two additional contracts for each beneficiary organization, excluding the lead organization. Replacement of contracted individuals is not permitted. b) Training: Organizations will design training pathways tailored to each individual’s needs, dedicating a minimum of 60 and a maximum of 80 hours to this action, based on the call’s catalog of transversal and in-person training. c) Support: This includes actions aimed at assisting with the legal process of renewing residence permits or support in seeking new employment. Depending on the needs, the beneficiary organization may assign a specific number of support hours, up to a maximum of 182 hours.
Application Documentation
To participate, organizations must submit a technical report detailing the occupational project and a financial report outlining the costs for employment, training, and support actions. Organizations should also review the call to confirm which administrative documentation and specific declarations are required for each participant entity to ensure compliance with all established requirements.
Evaluation Criteria
SOC will assign a maximum of 100 points to each project, with a minimum score requirement of 50 points. The criteria include: a) Technical capacity of the beneficiary organizations (25 points). b) Definition, specificity, and understanding of the target group (15 points). c) Description of project implementation (45 points). d) Project outcomes and impact (15 points).
Deadlines
The submission period is now open, and organizations have until November 28, 2024, to submit their projects. Projects may commence the day after the award decision notification and must be completed by March 31, 2027. Given that employment contracts must be 12 months, the project execution must begin no later than April 1, 2026.
The ACOL Line Call provides an opportunity for committed organizations working toward social inclusion, dignity, and transformative change in society. If your project aligns with the objectives of this line and meets the established requirements, we encourage you to review the call document. For any questions, the AmbTu team is available to provide guidance and support during the process.
Direct link
