The Consorci de la Zona Franca de Barcelona becomes a “Brain-Protected Space” alongside the Fundación Freno al Ictus

• A stroke is a time-dependent condition where every minute counts to reduce the impact and consequences.

• The agents are trained to identify the symptoms of a stroke and activate the emergency protocol “Code Stroke,” a fundamental action to minimise the consequences.

• 90% of stroke cases are preventable through healthy lifestyle habits.

Barcelona, 13 May 2025 – The Consorci de la Zona Franca de Barcelona strengthens its commitment to health and safety by certifying its facilities as a “Brain-Protected Space,” an initiative integrated into the campaign “Zona Franca de Barcelona against Stroke” which began in 2023 with awareness actions aimed at its staff and now culminates with the attainment of this certification, granted by the Fundación Freno al Ictus.

This action consolidates the Consorci’s commitment to training and awareness against one of the main causes of acquired disability and mortality in Spain. The project in its first phase included an awareness campaign aimed at employees, with the aim to raise visibility and inform about this condition, its prevention, and the importance of acting swiftly in this medical emergency. The campaign also included a set of informative resources disseminated through the Consorci’s various communication channels.

In the second phase, the Zona Franca has trained its workforce to recognise the symptoms of a stroke and immediately activate the emergency protocol “Code Stroke.” To date, more than 30% of the workforce has received this training, equipping them with key tools to act quickly in critical situations in their facilities, when every second counts. For this reason, the Consorci de la Zona Franca de Barcelona has received the “brain-protected space” certification for its invaluable support against stroke.

During the certification ceremony, Julio Agredano, president of the Fundación Freno al Ictus, emphasised: “A stroke is a medical emergency in which every minute counts. Acting quickly can make the difference between a full recovery and irreversible consequences. The involvement of organisations like the Consorci de la Zona Franca is key to building a more prepared and protected society.”

The “Brain-Protected Space” project is endorsed by the Spanish Society of Neurology (SEN), through its Cerebrovascular Diseases Study Group (GEECV), and also has the support of the Spanish Association of Occupational Medicine Specialists (AEEMT) and the Spanish Association of Occupational Prevention Services (AESPLA), ensuring the highest quality and rigour in the training provided.

A stroke affects more than 120.000 people in Spain each year. It is the leading cause of death in women and the second globally, as well as being the main cause of acquired disability in adults. The good news is that up to 90% of cases can be prevented through healthy lifestyle habits: balanced diet, regular physical activity, and control of risk factors such as hypertension, cholesterol, and smoking.

With this initiative, the Consorci de la Zona Franca de Barcelona establishes itself as a leader in stroke prevention in the workplace and social sphere, promoting safe and prepared spaces to save lives.