The third class of the 'Joves Talents' scholarship program graduates

Talent is a highly valued asset for our society, and it is necessary that no one is left behind to develop it and transform it into an instrument of both personal and social progress. Early school leaving rates prevent this talent from reaching the professional world, a situation that is exacerbated when young people who drop out of their studies do so as a consequence of the vulnerable situation in which their families find themselves. Not being able to complete compulsory schooling or access higher education for economic reasons condemns this group to unemployment or to permanently earning very low wages that prevent them from accessing housing and even negatively impacts their health.

It is estimated that in 2022, Catalonia registered an early school leaving rate of 16.9%, a figure that, despite having decreased in the last two decades, is still well above the European average, which stands at 9.6%. In this context, Aigües de Barcelona launched the Joves Talents scholarship program in 2016 with the aim of helping young people with brilliant academic records but limited economic resources to pursue and complete university studies. This involves offering a scholarship that not only covers the tuition fee for each university course but also grants the scholarship recipients annual aid to cover study-related expenses.

So far, the company managing the water cycle in the Barcelona metropolitan area has awarded scholarships to a total of 34 young people, of whom 23 are currently studying at different public Catalan universities and 11 have already obtained their university degree. This November, the graduation ceremony for the third class of university students from the Joves Talents program, which Aigües de Barcelona carries out in alliance with the Confederation of Neighborhood Associations of Catalonia (CONFAVC), was held. This event also welcomed the five new young people awarded scholarships for the current academic year 2023-2024.

In the third promotion of the Joves Talents program, three students have graduated, having pursued degrees in Biochemistry, at the Universitat Autónoma de Barcelona; in Optics and Optometry, at the Universidtat Politècnica de Catalunya; and in Audiovisual Communication, at the Universitat Pompeu Fabra. The three recent graduates explained their experience during their studies at the event, highlighting the importance of having obtained the scholarship that allowed them to pursue their desired studies.

"Social action and commitment to people are fundamental pillars of Aigües de Barcelona's social activity. With programs like this, we want to contribute to a more equitable and sustainable society, where equal opportunities are promoted," highlights Felipe Campos, CEO of the water cycle management company. Campos emphasizes "the value of alliances" with entities such as CONFAVC, as they have made it possible to create a program that "facilitates access to university for brilliant young people, regardless of their resources."

In addition to the economic endowment associated with each scholarship, the distinguishing feature of the Joves Talents scholarship program is that students can also enjoy specialized support throughout their studies, provided by CONFAVC, through the Aula Actual program, which also aims to foster the development of their transversal competencies and their approach to the professional world.

The Joves Talents scholarships from Aigües de Barcelona are committed to developing a professional future in strategic fields such as digital transformation, innovation, sustainability, and social development. Participants in the program can access job opportunities and continue to have a reference group in approaching the professional world thanks to the Alumni program, which encourages sharing knowledge and experiences among them.