Ecologistas en Acción, CSIF, and Más Madrid have mobilised against the Community of Madrid's plan to outsource the management of three youth hostels starting in January 2027. They denounce the loss of a 50-year public heritage and the impact on over 200 workers.
The decision by the Community of Madrid to privatise the management of the youth hostels in San Lorenzo de El Escorial, Cercedilla, and Rascafría has unleashed a wave of criticism. Ecologistas en Acción has joined the voices of CSIF and Más Madrid to demand a reversal of a measure they consider an attack on public heritage and environmental education.
A 50-Year Heritage at Risk
The three hostels are part of a network that the community has been acquiring and rehabilitating for half a century. The last major investment, of one million euros, was made in 2020 solely at the hostel in San Lorenzo de El Escorial. According to Ecologistas en Acción, these facilities are not mere hostels, but "a fundamental pillar for developing educational activities in the natural environment."
The environmental group highlights that the hostels have hosted camps, training for mediators, and meetings of youth associations, in addition to serving public entities for their programmes. The outsourcing, scheduled for January 1, 2027, would affect over 200 workers, according to their estimates.
The Environmental Education Programme in Jeopardy
One of the most immediate consequences of privatisation is the suspension of the Environmental Education Programme in Hostels and Shelters, managed by the General Directorate of Bilingualism and Quality of Teaching. The programme offered stays of three and four days in the Sierra de Guadarrama National Park to students from all social strata, with attention to diversity.
According to Ecologistas en Acción, the administration has revoked the contracting of activities citing a lack of information about the rates, which until now were governed by public prices. "They are closing the door to unique educational experiences for many young people," they lament.
CSIF Warns of a "Privatisation Escalation"
The Independent and Civil Servants Union (CSIF) had already expressed its concern weeks ago. It considers it "unacceptable" that such a significant decision is made "without prior information, without transparency, and without guarantees for the staff." The union warns that this privatisation "is part of a worrying escalation of outsourcing public services in the Community of Madrid."
CSIF points out that the hostels are not mere accommodations, but "public resources with an important social, educational, youth, and territorial function." Therefore, it calls on the Community of Madrid to discard any privatisation process and maintain direct public management.
Más Madrid to Bring the Case to the San Lorenzo Plenary
The municipal group of Más Madrid in San Lorenzo de El Escorial has announced that it will present a motion at the next ordinary plenary to oppose the privatisation of the local hostel and, by extension, the entire network. The initiative aims to involve the City Council in defending these facilities.
Civic and political mobilization is growing while the General Directorate of Youth maintains its plan. Those affected hope that social and union pressure can reverse a decision that, they warn, could set a dangerous precedent for other public services.
