Santa Cruz Recognized for Breaking Language Barriers in Social Services

The city of Santa Cruz de Tenerife has received acclaim at the national Migradmi 2026 conference in Lanzarote for its pioneering language interpretation service within municipal social services. This initiative significantly improves access to information and public resources for individuals who do not speak Spanish fluently, while also equipping social service professionals with specialized tools to enhance their interventions.

This recognition stems from a fundamental aspect of social intervention: ensuring individuals can understand the information they receive and clearly communicate their situations and needs. Launched as a pilot project in 2022, the initiative was strengthened in 2025 with a municipal contract worth 12,500 euros over five years.

Interpretations are conducted in person and can include bilateral or whispered interpretation for small groups. Exceptionally, telephone interpretation is also available. Frequently requested languages include Ukrainian, Russian, Chinese, Wolof, Arabic, and English, along with German, Portuguese, French, Romanian, and Polish. In 2025, sessions were also held in Fula and Hungarian.

The service mandates specific qualifications for interpreters, emphasizing training in areas such as social services, healthcare, education, justice, and gender violence.

Mayor José Manuel Bermúdez expressed pride in the recognition, highlighting the importance of ensuring no one faces barriers when accessing public resources. He emphasized that cultural diversity is integral to the city, and it is their responsibility to ensure equal opportunities, rights, and access to public services.

Councilor for Social Policies, Charín González, noted that the linguistic mediation service has improved communication and trust between families and professionals, contributing to more precise and effective social interventions.

The service is currently available at municipal offices in Añaza, Barranco Grande, Los Gladiolos, Ofra, La Salud, Centro, and San Andrés. When necessary, interpretation can also be provided at a residence or nearby location.