The decision, made during the ordinary plenary session in April, reflects the corporation's commitment to management that places young people at its core. The Mayor of Onda, Carmina Ballester, emphasized the importance of this initiative, stating that a city prioritizing children functions better for all its inhabitants.
“"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 the center is a city that works better for everyone."
The Councillor for Culture and Youth, Daniel Álvaro, highlighted that this process has allowed for the consolidation and continuity of numerous ongoing actions, with the main objective of improving the city's design from a child's perspective. The candidacy is the result of a journey initiated in 2025 with the signing of an agreement with UNICEF, which established the basis for adapting municipal action to the program's standards.
Among the tools developed, the I Childhood and Adolescence Plan stands out, defining lines of action for the well-being of minors, and the creation of the Child and Adolescent Participation Body (OPIA), a stable channel for incorporating their proposals. Furthermore, the commitment has been reinforced with the Declaration of World Children's Day, also approved unanimously.
The direct involvement of children and adolescents has been a fundamental axis, integrating their vision into the design of public policies. This approach has driven actions such as the improvement of playgrounds, the creation of spaces like MICO Gaming Zone, and the development of educational and cultural projects like the Alquería Cultural, seeking safe environments adapted to their needs.
In the same plenary session, the modification of the Municipal School Council regulations was unanimously approved to include the figure of advisors with a voice but no vote. This measure, promoted by the Councillor for Education, María Ojeda, seeks to improve the quality of decisions in the educational field and strengthen the council's role as a space for participation and coordination.
