The decision, made during the ordinary April plenary session, formalizes a process initiated in 2025 with the signing of an agreement with Unicef. This agreement marked the beginning of a strategy to adapt municipal actions to the standards of the Child-Friendly Cities program, aiming to place children at the center of local decisions.
“"We want to be a Child-Friendly City because we believe in it, because we have been working in that direction for years, and because we are convinced that a city that puts children at its center is a city that works better for everyone. This candidacy reflects a way of governing that listens to children and builds a city thinking about their future."
To achieve this, the council has implemented tools such as the I Childhood and Adolescence Plan, which establishes guidelines for improving the well-being of minors. The Child and Adolescent Participation Body (OPIA) has also been created, providing a stable channel to collect young people's proposals and incorporate them into decision-making. This commitment has been reinforced by agreements such as the Declaration of World Children's Day, also unanimously approved.
“"The process has allowed us to organize, strengthen, and provide continuity to many actions that were already underway. The goal is to obtain recognition, but above all, it is to continue improving how we design the city from the perspective of children."
The direct involvement of children and adolescents has been fundamental, integrating their vision into the design of public policies. This approach has driven concrete actions such as the creation and improvement of playgrounds, the launch of innovative spaces like MICO Gaming Zone, and the development of educational and cultural projects like the Alqueria Cultural, all designed to offer safe and adapted environments for their needs.
During the same plenary session, the modification of the regulations for the Municipal School Council was also unanimously approved. This reform, championed by the Councillor for Education, María Ojeda, includes the figure of advisors with voice but no vote, aiming to improve the quality of decisions in the educational field and consolidate the council as a more agile and useful body for Onda's educational community.
