“It's not a t-shirt, it's a commitment”

Can you imagine a collaborative project based on the notion that if we want a better world, we have to start building it by adding personal commitments? This is how an idea was born that has become a reality. Xavi Vega, the founder of the project, explains it to us in a new People podcast.

Xavi Vega, graphic designer and professor at the Blanquerna Faculty of Communication, wanted to do something to change the world. He was convinced that if we all added small commitments together, we would be contributing to making the world a better place. Everyone has their own personal vision of what an ideal world would be like, but change has to start from the grassroots, from the community.

Based on this concept, Vega has created an altruistic project for people to take part in different commitments in exchange for a T-shirt. “A commitment is created, there is a part that covers the cost of the T-shirt, and another part that is for donations to small organisations that make a better world,” explains Vega.

A world with more solidarity, more freedom and more equality

The constant degradation of social and labour rights, the widespread corruption and the loss of individual freedoms that we have suffered in recent years, show that we still have a long way to go if we want to live in a society designed to promote the welfare of people.

Committing to being part of the change means being proactive with personal actions or supporting projects that work to accelerate this paradigm shift. In this sense, Vega has been surprised to see how many companies have proposed to contribute to the project in a totally altruistic way, “many large companies that I have contacted, and which have a corporate social responsibility, want to make a contribution out of conscience because they like the project, but they don’t even want their brand to be mentioned”.

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This year, the International Women’s Day platform is launching a sophisticated campaign concept, if not more sophisticated than other 8M campaigns: #EmbraceEquity.

The new campaign revolves around equity, which differs from the concept of equality. And it is crucial to understand the difference between the two. Because having equal opportunities, per se, does not reduce the gender gap.

Equality means that we treat everyone equally: each person or group of people receives the same resources and opportunities. Let’s give an example: let’s give the same book to a sighted and a blind student. The situation is an equal opportunity, but it is not equal. Equity is about taking into account personal differences and being able to provide the resources to eliminate or minimise disadvantages, and thus to give the same opportunities from a starting point with equal advantages. In our example above, acting equitably would be giving the blind student a Braille book so that he/she has the same opportunities as the sighted student.

Equity means that we provide resources and opportunities tailored to the specific needs or circumstances of that person or group; so that we can achieve an equal outcome. This year’s campaign wants us to learn the concept of equity, and this will enable us to demand a more inclusive society. True inclusion requires equitable actions.

132 years to close the gender gap

Equality is absolutely necessary to establish the first rules of the “game”, although equity is essential to make progress in the gender gap between men and women. It is interesting to review the World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Report for 2022, where this large gap between men and women is observed, a large gap because it is estimated that it could take 132 years to close this gap.

According to the report, and as can be seen in the graph, Spain is in 17th place and Iceland is the country that leads the ranking of countries with the greatest equality and equity between men and women.

100 years of inequality

Ours, this gender inequality, seems to be going on for a long time. So let’s keep on fighting, let’s keep on promoting the IWD campaigns, let’s keep on repeating them, and let’s keep on going viral. Everyone should celebrate it or claim it in their own way so that we don’t get 100 years of inequality.

N.B. “Compañera, dame, dame tira”

Asturias celebrates the IWD with its own theme: “Compañera, dame tira”. A mining expression, the very essence of solidarity and Asturianness. They have composed their own anthem, which they will take to the streets on IWD: “Dende les Cuenques mineres, la capital y occidente, de la costa y del oriente, equí tamos les muyeres”.

The soundtrack of the article

“Embraceable You”. A jazz standard song with music by George Gershwin and lyrics by Ira Gershwin. The song was written in 1928 for an unpublished operetta named East Is West. It was published in 1930 and included in that year’s Broadway musical Girl Crazy, performed by Ginger Rogers in a song and dance routine choreographed by Fred Astaire. Billie Holiday‘s 1944 recording was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2005.

11Onze is the community fintech of Catalonia. Open an account by downloading the super app El Canut for Android or iOS and join the revolution!

In the real estate market, and specifically in the rental market, we can find very different situations that can lead to abuses and breaches of current regulations at all times. But does the tenant suffer all the abuse? Or can the owner also feel helpless?

Last September, the new Rental Price Containment Act came into force (11/2020 Law of September 18), with the aim of curbing the huge rise in prices that was being experienced, especially in Barcelona and the metropolitan area. This lowers and freezes the price of new rentals in areas with high demand for housing. An average reduction of 4.12% has been achieved.

With these measures, it seems that politicians are responding to the demands of platforms and unions, in favour of affordable or, at least, regulated housing. A Quick Guide has even been published to announce the scope of the new regulations.

What are the abuses?

Clearly, it was unsustainable to keep the upward pattern in rental prices, as has been happening in recent years. Tenants have basic rights that are sometimes violated, and they should report them if they find themselves in any of the following situations of abuse:

• Upon signing the rental agreement, the owner must deliver the certificate of occupancy and the energy certificate. Obtaining these documents comes at a cost, so some owners may try to rent the home without having them, even though they are mandatory. For the rental of commercial premises, only the energy certificate is required. 
• Make a peaceful use of the home, without the owner being able to disturb it. Many times the so-called real estate bullying (harassment) occurs, that is, making the tenant’s life miserable and forcing them to leave, thus being able to speculate with that home. These actions are usually carried out by large holders, such as mutual funds.
• The owner must take care of the necessary repairs and maintenance. The tenant can make these repairs if they are urgent, with prior notice, and they can be deducted from the price, but sometimes these repairs are not considered necessary, and there is no refund of the cost.
• They can terminate the contract and have the deposit back, but there are owners who do not want to return it, and this money could not have been deposited in INCASÒL as required. This may mean that the rental has not been registered and, as a result, you may have more difficulty having the deposit back.

However, the right to the return of the deposit is lost if the home is left damaged, which can lead to a repair cost.

Protection of owners

However, you may find that the owner is not to blame for a conflicting relationship with the tenant. For example, it may happen that the home has not been legally rented, but someone has decided to move in without permission; that there are defaults on the agreed rent; or even that there is a misbehaviour of the tenant.

The new law does not resolve any of these situations in which an owner may be. However, as citizens, they also have the right to be given tools to resolve them. The only forecast that is made is for small tenants who may be in a vulnerable situation, who are allowed a 5% increase in rent, above the established maximums.

Owners can easily find themselves helpless as they are considered to be the strongest side in the deal. But the truth is that they can see how a tenant stops paying or damages their home, and that the solution to the problem always has to end up in court, which means a high cost of time and money. 

The point is that this problem affects investment funds and small holders alike. With the new regulations, it seems that this situation is beginning to reverse, as they take into account the diversity of owners that exist, and make the distribution of responsibilities in this madness that is the real estate market a little more equitable.

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Gold mines exist on every continent except Antarctica, often in remote and impoverished areas. World Gold Council data show that responsible gold mining contributes to the economic and social development of many local communities.  

Gold has been a unique precious metal with great emotional, cultural and financial value throughout history. In addition, gold has an increasing number of technological applications, including in mobile phones, medical test kits and airbags for vehicles.

Gold resources are also a key source of opportunities in many developing countries. As a World Gold Council report shows, responsible gold mining generates numerous jobs, facilitates the construction of infrastructure and contributes to the development of local communities, as well as bringing in substantial revenues through taxes and royalties. 

Well-paid employment

Analysis of the operations of 31 of the 32 member companies of the World Gold Council shows that in 2020 they were responsible for nearly 200,000 direct jobs and 1.2 million indirect jobs in 38 countries. In addition, the reuse of wages earned in the gold supply chain supports a further 700,000 jobs in the wider economy.

Workers in the gold industry are well paid, averaging six times the national average wage. And it should be noted that 95 % of the employees belong to the country where the mine is located. The percentage of expatriates has halved in the last seven years. 

Development of local communities

Companies in the sector recognise the mutual benefits of integrating as much as possible into the local economy, using indigenous people and supply chains. This underpins their “licence to operate” and allows the community to benefit from the economic and social development of the mine.

Indeed, operating in an isolated enclave with the local community’s back turned is no longer a viable option for any mining company. To be successful, they must generate sustainable benefits for local people, especially in the poorest and most remote locations, where there are often few alternative avenues for economic activity and community progress.

This has meant that by 2020 the World Gold Council’s member companies spent more than €430 million on community investment. In addition to meeting the needs of a gold mine, it is clear that investments in roads, water and electricity supply are of long-term benefit to businesses and communities in the area.

We must add €7.6 billion paid in taxes and royalties, which go back into improving public services, education, health and infrastructure in the countries where the mines are located. In many developing countries, these taxes constitute a significant proportion of the national tax base and benefit both mining and non-mining areas. 

A significant contribution to GDP

In total, the contribution of these companies to the GDP of the 38 countries where they operate is estimated at around 40 billion euros. For every euro of gold production, at least 63 cents ended up as wages, taxes or income for local business owners.  

While historically mining operations have not always led to improvements in the human and social development of local communities, there is a growing trend towards strict environmental, governance and social protocols as a condition of operating. As a result, the gold industry is becoming an important economic and social driver for many countries around the world.

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You have probably heard of the collaborative economy, all those activities that involve the exchange of goods and services between people. But what exactly characterises this model and how can it be put into practice in the digital age?

Before the collaborative economy became a trend, its consumption was limited to the closest circle. Everything stayed at home, it was almost on a family scale. Yet, thanks to the Internet, it is possible to connect with people all over the world with common interests. The digitalisation of society and the economic crisis have favoured the development of new business models and new forms of consumption.

The collaborative economy has several advantages. The first, and most important, is that it allows us to optimise resources, because we can make our products more useful. In addition, it also offers the end consumer more variety. At the same time, it is a good model for making savings, because customers can buy second-hand goods and services at a lower price than the market price. All of this generates an ecosystem based on commitment, solidarity and the generation of ideas, often by entrepreneurs with new businesses, which generate employment, wealth and innovation.

On the other hand, however, it must also be borne in mind that the collaborative economy, being a model between individuals, does not have a legally regulated market and competition is quite unfair. For this reason, it is a sector that gives rise to complaints and protests from the sectors affected, a fact that can unprotect the consumer. 

Sharing economy, a range of possibilities

Within this collaborative economy model, often also referred to as the “sharing economy”, there are many different types, with different functions, varying according to needs and products. There are, for example, collaborative consumption businesses, which use digital platforms through which users contact each other to exchange goods or items, such as collaborative transport, collaborative accommodation and collaborative second-hand trade, among others.

There are also open knowledge companies, all those businesses that promote the dissemination of knowledge without legal or administrative barriers. They can be presented on a day-to-day basis or through computer platforms to which users with needs come. There is also the collaborative production model, digital interaction networks that promote the dissemination of projects or services of all kinds. The difference with the two previous models is that what is offered is also produced within these platforms.

Finally, there are collaborative finance initiatives. Microcredits, loans, savings, donations and financing channels are included in this subgroup, where users get in touch to meet needs in any of these aspects. The best example is crowdfunding platforms, a funding model for those who wish to donate to specific initiatives.

The four characteristics of the model

Despite the heterogeneity of the businesses and industries that fall under this model, collaborative economy enterprises can be described by four characteristics:

1. They use information technologies (ICT), available through web-based platforms such as mobile “apps” on internet-enabled devices, to facilitate transactions between two parties.
2. They rely on user-based rating systems for quality control, which ensures a level of trust between consumers and service providers not previously encountered.
3. They offer workers flexibility because this team often delivers their services through digital correspondence platforms.
4. The team has its own tools. To the extent that tools and assets are necessary to provide a service, digital matching companies rely on workers to use their own.

In short, the collaborative economy model can help our businesses grow, because it allows consumers to make savings, because it is committed to sustainable development, because it promotes a new management of resources, because there is more choice and because, in the end, all of this brings environmental benefits.

11Onze is the community fintech of Catalonia. Open an account by downloading the super app El Canut for Android or iOS and join the revolution!

This year, at last, we are leaving behind the Christmas festivities without masks and welcoming the Three Kings laden with sweets. And after their Majesties, it’s time for the sales. So, what day do the winter sales start?

In the case of Catalonia, the Trade Advisory Council approved that the winter sales period will officially begin on 23 December 2022 and end on 12 March 2023. That said, it is still a recommendation, since, after the changes in the regulations of the last few years that liberalised shopping hours and discount periods, shops no longer have to wait for a specific date to start the sales.

Thanks to the new regulations, sales periods have become more flexible – we see this with Black Friday or the one-off discounts in December – but most shops and brands continue to opt for the classic dates to start the winter sales. Thus, almost all shops continue to hold their sales from 7 January, after Epiphany.

Even so, many brands are advancing the sales period in their online shops or through their apps. Similarly, if we take as an example what they have done in previous years, in physical shops there will also be discounts from a few days before Epiphany on certain items or certain product lines.

11Onze is the community fintech of Catalonia. Open an account by downloading the super app El Canut for Android or iOS and join the revolution!

The labor market of the future is the topic of this third episode of 11Onze’s financial education video podcast. From 7pm you can follow your conversation live with David Garrofé on this page.

As usual, the ‘Que no faltin!’ will be available exclusively live on La Plaça, in the player in this article. Users can leave questions in the comments of this news item for David Garrofé to answer them live.

11Onze is the community fintech of Catalonia. Open an account by downloading the super app El Canut for Android or iOS and join the revolution!

On Tuesday 13 December at 7 p.m. ‘Que no faltin!’ features entrepreneur David Garrofé. If you want to participate, reserve your place by writing to [email protected]

With a low birth rate, there will be a shortage of labour. With digitalisation, some jobs will disappear and others will be created. With high international mobility, our most talented young people will be tempted to move to other places that offer better conditions. Is Catalonia ready for the labour market of the future? What do our employers need? What jobs will be most in demand?

We talk about this next Tuesday in our financial education video podcast, ‘Que no faltin! We will be joined by businessman David Garrofé, who for more than 30 years was secretary general of Cecot. It will be a good opportunity for the 11Onze audience to ask any questions they may have on this subject. If you want to ask for a place to participate, you can email [email protected]

11Onze is the community fintech of Catalonia. Open an account by downloading the super app El Canut for Android or iOS and join the revolution!

In the second edition of “Que no faltin!”, Susana Rodríguez Urgel, founder of The Digital Advisory Board, shared her knowledge of crypto-economics with the audience at La Plaça.

The possibilities offered by new technologies have opened the way to crypto-economics, a new techno-economic concept that coordinates different actors in the FinTech sector, with the aim of creating a decentralised economy through blockchain technology and cryptocurrencies.

As Rodriguez explains, “The digitalisation of the economy and, in particular, what blockchain is, leads to ‘ownership’. We will all be owners of what we can associate with our digital identity“. Collaboration between users gives rise to a new generation of platforms that thrive on the contributions of a decentralised global talent blockchain, which does not have to seek permission from any government entity.

However, as the expert in crypto-economics points out, “all freedoms bring more responsibility“, the decline of the cryptocurrency market is not caused by new technologies “the problem we are experiencing now is not the cryptocurrencies, the technology is not to blame. It is the people who are making use of this technology who are sometimes unethical.”

In this context, governments have seen how they have been left behind in the face of a paradigm shift that may present a challenge to the established power structure, and under their domination. Will the creation of central bank-controlled digital currencies (CBDCs) be the basis on which the centralised financial system will survive? You can watch the full episode here.

“Que no faltin!” Chapter: 3

David Garrofé, businessman and secretary general of the Catalan employers’ association CECOT from 1988 to 2021, will talk to us about the future of the labour market. You will be able to follow the conversation live from La Plaça, from 19:00 on Tuesday 13 December. If you would like to participate as an audience member, you can reserve your place by writing to [email protected].

11Onze is the community fintech of Catalonia. Open an account by downloading the super app El Canut for Android or iOS and join the revolution!

Central banks’ digital currencies and our ‘virtual’ identity in the metaverse will play a pivotal role in the proposal to rebuild the global economic model that was put forward from the Davos economic forum. What consequences will this paradigm shift have for our lives? In a new Fintech Talks, James Sène, chairman and founder of 11Onze, explains the changes to come and gives us food for thought on how to deal with them.

Two lions crown the pillars at the foot of the stone-railed staircase leading to the main entrance of Villa Urània. The house is a tower surrounded by a garden in the Sarrià-Sant Gervasi district, which was bequeathed to Barcelona City Council by will by the astronomer Josep Comas y Solà. A neoclassical style space that has been reinvented combining tradition with modernity, and reconverted into a Japanese coffee shop, the Oyatsu Lab, is the ideal setting for a Fintech Talks that analyses what the restart of the current economic model will be like.

It was well into the evening when the audience began to fill the café. Unlike other events previously organised by 11Onze, this talk is thought of to be more relaxed, in small groups, to allow the conversation to flow between the audience and the speaker. Gemma Vallet, director of 11Onze District, is in charge of asking preliminary questions and moderating the debate.

Faced with the imminent economic recession, the first question is obvious: how did we get to this point? To begin with, Sène points out that 11Onze has been explaining and warning for a couple of years that the sovereign debt crisis of the states will lead us to a global crisis with major socio-economic consequences, “when private banks create money out of nothing, constantly, inflation is inevitable”.

Unlimited growth on a resource-constrained planet

The interaction with the audience does not take long to get started, and the conversation drifts towards neoclassical economic theory, which is necessary to understand the current economic model. The management of scarcity as a fundamental concept of the capitalist system has set a path focused on unlimited growth, which is totally unsustainable precisely because of the limited resources of our planet.

A new, community-based, mutualistic model, based on social networks, where most things are shared, is being imposed as a counterpart to the status quo that existed until a few years ago. We are facing a “transition from the old model, totally dominated by a few, to a new model that reaches more people and is decentralised,” says Sène.

He concludes that this change of model is inevitable, but that, at the same time, the actors who now dominate and direct the economy will do their best to perpetuate a system where people’s access to goods is restricted, thus ensuring the relevance of scarcity in the economic model.

A virtual and virtualised world

These are issues that are difficult to explain and hard to assimilate, but the president of 11Onze does not shrug his shoulders and proposes two ‘tips’ to understand what is happening: how the ecosystem works and the rules of the game. But first, he points out that we have to understand that we do not live in a virtual world, but in a virtualised world, i.e. “what happens in the digital world has a real impact on our lives, we are living in a totally virtualised world”.

The creation of central bank-controlled digital currencies (CBDCs) will be the basis on which the centralised financial system will survive, while the metaverse will play a key role in digitising our identities. Public interpellations point out that we may be too late to avoid a fait accompli, while Sène argues that financial information and education are essential resources for people to defend their freedoms.

The debate is wide open and goes on well past dinner time, the conversation was not only flowing, but transformed into a whole series of ideas that increase the collective intelligence of our community, and above all, encourages the learning that is so necessary for our financial sovereignty. Soon, we will publish this Fintech Talks on 11Onze TV from La Plaça.

11Onze is the community fintech of Catalonia. Open an account by downloading the super app El Canut for Android or iOS and join the revolution!