CONTENT:

• General Terms and Conditions of BCNLIP IDIOMAS S.L.U.
• Conditions related to specific courses
• BCNLIP Group Coexistence Rules
• Protocol Against Sexual Harassment and Gender-Based Harassment

General Terms and Conditions of BCNLIP IDIOMAS S.L.U.

Registered office: BCNLIP IDIOMAS, S.L.U. – Avinyo 50, Local – 08002 Barcelona. NIF: B44974046. Phone number: +34 933186591, Fax +34 933014696, e-mail info@bcnlip.com, website www.bcnlip.com.

I.- SCHOOL CALENDAR

Each course/educational program has a class attendance schedule and student support schedule provided by the School. The School reserves the right to modify schedules, teachers, classrooms, locations or any other characteristic of the course or educational program according to its organizational needs.

Students may consult the schedule board on the School’s website (www.bcnlip.com) and on the screens at the entrance of each center. The boards show the number assigned to each group, the schedule of their center and the corresponding classroom.

On the School’s website and in the Student Manual, information is provided in general terms about the dates on which the School will be closed; for details in each specific case/date, the School must be contacted.

During the holiday periods in August and December, the school may choose to continue its operations or close, at its own discretion. If the school is open, the availability of classes will be limited, focusing mainly on new groups that started in these months and on special types of groups. Generally, students are expected to take their holidays during this time. If the school decides to offer special classes or activities, interested students must register in advance on a waiting list. The school will confirm whether these classes will take place, with confirmation provided one week before the scheduled start date. Additionally, the school may deliver some classes entirely online or opt for online sessions for certain groups of students during these periods. The decision to open or close the school, and the determination of which groups will have classes during these holiday periods, is exclusively at the school’s discretion. There is no commitment to provide regular classes to all students during these holiday periods.

For students enrolled in long-term courses, it is important to understand that the holiday periods in August and December form part of the scheduled course calendar. The school will not offer refunds or additional classes to compensate for these periods. These breaks are integrated into the overall course schedule for all students.

II.- GENERAL CONDITIONS OF ENROLLMENT AND STUDIES

Preliminary. Acceptance of these Contracting Conditions.

By signing the Enrollment Form or making the reservation payment or any other payment of any course or program (hereinafter the contracting of the course), the Student accepts, as purchaser of the course or program, the following terms and conditions:

a. In general terms, the terms and conditions published at the time of contracting the course on the School’s website, in the section General Conditions of Enrollment and Studies.
b. Specifically; the terms and conditions (Particular Conditions) that the School has communicated to the Student individually prior to the contracting of the course.

1. The price of the course/program includes:

Enrollment, the first book that the School will provide depending on the level of the contracted course, other course material consisting of information about the contracted course/program, some cultural activities, access to internet and WIFI at the School, access to the library service, use of the cafeteria and certificate of achievement at the end of the course (provided that attendance conditions and other academic conditions are met). Apart from the first manual of the level of the contracted course, any other manuals and/or materials and those of subsequent levels will be borne by the Student. In the event that the enrollment fee has not been paid, the book will not be included.

2. The price of the course/program does NOT include:

Residence and/or accommodation and stay expenses of the Student (indications may be given regarding the offer known by the School), transfers to/from the airport, travel and stay insurance, some of the activities of the cultural program. Any material, service, expense not expressly included in section 1 above.

3. Reservation and Method of Payment

3.1.- Registration Form and Reservation

Courses/programs in which the Student requires obtaining a visa to enter Spain to carry out studies must be fully paid in advance before the beginning of the course; in other cases consult the School for other conditions and deferred payment methods. To proceed with pre-enrollment it is essential to attach, duly completed by the Student, the Registration Form published on the School’s website, by email to info@bcnlip.com, together with:

a) the corresponding proof of payment into the bank account indicated in the form, and confirmation of receipt of the amount by the School. Payments may also be made at the School in cash according to current regulations, or by credit/debit card. Bank commissions will be borne by the Student. The bank account for payment will be regularly indicated by email to each candidate Student. The School may indicate other bank accounts on its website to receive payments from the Student.

b) copy of Passport/Residence Card/Stay Card/NIE/DNI, valid and current.

3.2.- Confirmation of Reservation and Enrollment

Upon receiving the Registration Form with the reservation payment/payment on account of the course/program (full payment simultaneously with sending the Registration Form in the case of a Student who requires obtaining a visa to enter Spain to carry out studies) the School reviews the Registration Form, verifies the payment of the deposit/reservation/partial payment/full payment and confirms to the Student the reservation and their pre-enrollment.

Once pre-enrollment is confirmed by the School, such pre-enrollment will become final enrollment provided that the Student pays the total amount of the course/program within a payment period previously agreed with the Student. The School reserves the right to consider the pre-enrollment cancelled if it does not receive the full amount of the course/program within the indicated period, without further requirements. It is clearly understood that pre-enrollments or final enrollments will not be processed in the case of a Student who requires obtaining a visa to enter Spain to carry out studies unless it is accompanied simultaneously by proof of full payment.

3.3.- For other payment conditions and in cases of Group Programs, inquire in each case with the School.

3.4. Notification of Visa Status

For reasons of security and control of entry of foreigners, and in accordance with current regulations, the student undertakes to confirm their attendance to the course and notify the status of their student visa before its start. In the event of not making the confirmation or notification (with acknowledgment of receipt by the School) at least 30 working days prior to the scheduled start date of the course, it will be understood that the student has started the course as established in their reservation and no refund will proceed in any case, including visa refusal for any reason. In this case, the school may inform the General Directorate of Migration (Immigration) of the student’s non-attendance, in accordance with applicable regulations. Consequently, the student acknowledges and accepts that, in case of not attending class without having made the appropriate confirmation or notification, they will not be able to request a change of date nor a refund of the course amount, considering that the course has started.

4.- Refund of amounts. Attendance to a future course

4.1.- The School does not refund amounts received as deposit, reservation and/or as partial or total price of a course/program under any circumstances, except if the course/program is not delivered due to reasons attributable solely to the School, or if the School does not accept the pre-enrollment; in the latter case it will refund the reservation amount.

Notwithstanding the above, the School, in the event that the student could not take the course due to a firm and non-appealable visa refusal without justified cause of refusal that has been assessed discretionally by the Consulate, and the Student had carried out all procedures and submitted all adequate and necessary documentation in due time and form for the processing of the visa application, in that case the School will refund the amount received from the Student for the course/program, deducting the enrollment fee and administrative/financial costs incurred, which will be retained by the School: €350. The refund would be made within a maximum period of three months after completion of an internal verification file in the School and effective verification, confirmed by the Consulate, that the visa refusal does not correspond to a justified cause of refusal assessed by the Consulate. Deadline to request refund: 2 months from the issuance of the refusal letter. This condition applies only to courses paid in full. In the case of courses paid in installments, such installments are non-refundable.

4.2.- The School, in the event of cancellation of the course/program for reasons beyond the School’s control, will offer a place to the Student to take the course in the future.

4.3.- The School will not refund any amount if the Student begins but does not finish the course/program. The School does not change group classes into private/individual ones, and will not refund any amount in any case of reduction of class duration, nor in the cases provided for in section 7.

4.4.- The School only refunds the payment of the course under three circumstances: if the School cancels the course due to lack of students (a minimum of 6), due to lack of attendance (less than 30% of total students) or organizational problems directly attributable to the School. It is not considered cancellation when a group is merged with another or changes teacher, in both cases the course continues.

4.5.- Students have a maximum non-extendable period of one year from the date of enrollment to obtain the visa and start their classes. After this period, they may not request a refund of the course amount under any circumstances, not even due to visa refusal for any reason.

Notwithstanding the above, those students who documentarily prove that their visa application is under administrative or judicial appeal within said one-year period may request, before its expiration, an exceptional extension of the course start date for an additional maximum period of one (1) year. Such extension of the course start date will be subject to verification by the School and will not imply in any case a right to refund.

5.- Attendance to courses/programs. Minimum age. Coexistence. Initial non-attendance or during the course

5.1.- The School will place the Student in a Group appropriate to their level and within the attendance schedule established in the pre-enrollment. Any change of level and/or schedule must be approved by the Academic Department of the School and will be subject to availability. The School reserves the right to change the schedule, teacher and placement in a Group based on organizational needs.

5.2.- The minimum age for Students is 16 years except in junior programs. Students under 18 must present an authorization signed by their parents or authorized legal representatives. The School is not responsible for guardianship or supervision during the stay in Spain of minor Students.

5.3.- In case of acts of violence or lack of respect towards other Students, teachers or internal or external staff of the School, for reasons including but not limited to ideology, religion, gender or sexual orientation, the School may expel the Student in all cases with loss of the amounts paid and without further obligation for the School.

5.4.- Conflicts of a personal, private or extracurricular nature are not within the competence of the School. The School does not respond to such requests nor accept the sending of chats, emails or phone calls containing sensitive and personal information that may compromise the Student or the School.

5.5.- Lack of regular attendance by the Student to class entitles the School not to issue the certificate of achievement at the end of the course/program, with loss for the Student of the amounts paid and without further obligation for the School. To obtain the certificate of achievement, the student must follow the course program, which includes continuous evaluation through exams and compliance with the academic conditions established for each level (conditions communicated previously to the student). The minimum required attendance is 80% in person. Classes not attended will not be deducted in case of renewal of studies.

5.6.- If the Student is absent and does not attend classes for any reason beyond the School’s control, such classes cannot be recovered. In particular, Students who attend the School with a stay visa in Spain cannot obtain under any circumstances a discount for unattended classes.

5.7. In-person attendance and operating regime of the school. Students who have obtained an administrative stay permit in Spain based on a study visa are subject to the schedules and availability of the School, since the main reason they are in Spain is to take an in-person course at the School.

The School will take into account the needs of each Student, but cannot guarantee 100% schedules and dates desired by each Student. The School organizes its operating regime at its discretion based on professional criteria and in the interest of all students.

5.8. In-person and online school places. Attendance certificates.

It is reminded that our online classes are mostly hybrid as stated on the website. The hybrid modality consists of a method in which in-person students and online students participate simultaneously in the class equally.

a) Students without visa/administrative stay permit in Spain.

If the Student has been enrolled in an in-person course where there is high demand for places and the Student only attends 20% of the course during one month, the School may at its discretion change the place to the online system.

b) Students with visa/administrative stay permit in Spain.

Courses taken by Students who have arrived in Spain with a visa or who obtain an administrative stay permit in Spain can only be taken in person, since the reason for granting a visa or stay permit and its extension is the need for the Student’s presence and attendance at the School during the course.

In the event of general lockdown, documented illness of the Student or necessary and justified travel to another city during the course, classes will be delivered online. If the Student attends 20% of the course during one month, the School will request sufficient justification at its discretion and, in case of high demand for in-person classes, the School may assign the in-person place to another student on the waiting list.

6. Cancellation of the Course/program by the School due to minimum number of Students.

The number of Students per class will be at least 6 Students and a maximum of 20, depending on the classroom and type of course. In some cases, the number of students may exceed 20, but the School undertakes to reduce it within one month. If the minimum number of students in a Group is not reached, before the start or during the course, the School will offer a place in a smaller group or individual classes. Only in that case may class duration be reduced, since the School’s policy is not to replace group classes with private ones. It is not considered cancellation when a group merges with another or changes teacher, as in both cases the course continues.

6.1. Cancellation policy:

For courses contracted without requiring a prior visa, cancellations or any modification must always be made before the course starts. A final date will be calculated taking into account cancellations previously agreed with the School. Unless specifically agreed with the School, cancellations or modifications of attendance dates and schedules requested during the course will generally not be accepted, so the final course date cannot vary.

In the case of other languages, if the class is cancelled by the entire group, it may be possible to recover it at another schedule and day if feasible for the School.

6.2. Change of schedule and group within the same course

Changes of group will only be authorized for justified cause (e.g., illness), provided valid proof is presented, there is availability and the change does not affect the minimum number required to keep the group open. The request must be made through the online form provided by the School, including the corresponding proof. Voluntary changes, such as repeating a level, will be subject to review, since the student must follow the program established in their enrollment. The Student who wishes to change group must request it at least one month in advance.

6.3. Change to a lower level

Repetition of level due to lack of attendance or poor performance is not possible. Change of level may only be carried out once level B1.1 has been completed and subsequently after finishing level B2.2. Only at those points may level B1.1 or B2.2 be repeated. The teacher has the right to assess the Student’s level during class at any stage of the course without an exam. If the level is assessed as insufficient, the Student will be assigned to a lower-level group.

7. Visas. Enrollment of the School for visa application.

Students who are nationals of the EU, or residents in the Schengen area of the EU, do not need any type of visa to attend courses except in exceptional circumstances. Students who are not EU nationals or not residents in Schengen countries must obtain information about the necessary visa to study in Spain at the Spanish Embassy or Consulate in their country of residence.

If the Student requests a confirmation letter from the School to apply for a visa, full payment of the course/program and accommodation must be made before the School provides the requested documentation. This payment may be made by bank transfer, credit card or any other method that proves receipt by the School in due time and form.

Likewise, the student acknowledges and accepts that, in case of not attending class without having made the appropriate confirmation or notification, they will not be able to request a change of date nor a refund of the course amount, considering that the course has started according to the reservation.

7.1 Start of course and change of dates for Students with visa or administrative stay permit in Spain.

During the validity of enrollment, which is 1 year, and only before submission of documentation to the consulate, it is allowed to modify the start date up to 2 times and, exceptionally, grant a single additional extension of 6 months. The change to the next intake may be requested with at least 1 month notice. Once the visa application has been submitted, the course dates will be subject to those indicated by the consulate in the visa resolution. If the Student needs to receive the original documents again, shipping costs will apply, usually around €150.

Once a course has started, dates and schedules cannot be modified.

Regardless of the visa resolution, it is mandatory to inform the School about visa status to keep the place. If no written information is received at least two full weeks in advance, the School does not guarantee an in-person place on the arrival date and the Student must wait for the next course start. The Student may start the course online while waiting.

All beginner-level courses start at the beginning of the month. After two weeks, it is better to wait until the following month to start from zero. These two weeks will not be deducted at the end of the course.

7.2 Notification of Visa Status: For reasons of security and control of entry of foreigners, and in accordance with current regulations, the student undertakes to confirm attendance and notify visa status before the start. If not done, the student will be considered to have started the course according to their reservation. In this case, the School will inform the General Directorate of Migration in accordance with article 39 of Royal Decree 557/2011 of April 20. The student acknowledges that no date change or refund will be allowed.

8. Renewal policy and obtaining BCNLIP certificate (Certificate of course achievement):

Once the course is finished, the Student may request the Certificate of Achievement by email at info@bcnlip.com. Our certificates are not official proficiency certificates. For that purpose, DELE or SIELE diplomas are recommended.

The Certificate of Achievement will only be issued if exams are passed, academic conditions are met, and at least 80% attendance is achieved.

The School may issue a Spanish achievement certificate for renewal/extension of student stay permit (TIE).

To obtain this certificate for TIE purposes, it is required to pass the level and attend at least 80% of classes in person.

The certificate will be issued in PDF format and sent by email. It may be requested up to two months in advance and will be issued within five working days.

9. Insurance

Students have accident insurance for activities outside the center. Inside the premises, the School has civil liability insurance. However, each Student is responsible for having valid medical insurance during their stay in Spain, as the School does not cover medical care.

10. General

10.1.- Complaint forms. The School provides official complaint forms to Students or their legal representatives.

10.2.- Personal data. The School will process personal data according to current data protection regulations and maintains a file in accordance with Law 15/199. By signing this document, the Student authorizes the School to process and share data for administrative, academic, commercial, financial and training purposes, and to publish images in promotional materials. The Student may exercise rights of access, rectification and deletion by contacting the School.

10.3.- Applicable law. Jurisdiction. Spanish law applies. All disputes are subject to the courts of Barcelona.

10.4.- Validity and scope. These General Conditions together with the Particular Conditions form the Teaching Contract governing the relationship between the School and the Student. They apply from the date of publication on the School’s website until modified.

10.5.- On the School’s website www.bcnlip.com the Student has access to course information and administrative details. Payment of any amount implies acceptance of these Conditions.

10.6.- These General Conditions and updates will be regularly deposited in the Mercantile Registry of the School’s registered address.

Last updated in Barcelona in March 2026.

BCNLIP Group Coexistence Rules

The BCNLIP Group’s coexistence rules aim to foster respectful dialogue in a diverse and multicultural environment. They establish the framework for relationships within the educational institution while setting clear and necessary limits for its proper functioning. Rules that improve the school community’s life serve as a point of reference and clarification in cases of doubt, confusion, or conflicts that may arise in any heterogeneous human group. The school is no exception. Understanding the coexistence rules, implementing them in the classroom, and sharing their importance with students is a responsibility shared by all and sustains our daily work.

Course Profile and Organization

Respect for cultural, sexual, gender, social, and economic diversity. Both the teaching-learning process and all school activities are framed within mutual respect among all members of the BCNLIP Group (BCNLIP Language School, BCNLIP Foundation, and IBP Vocational Training). Our differences—an expression of diversity and multiculturalism—define the school’s profile, and the recognition of dignity and integration of others underpins our educational principles and values.

No conduct, verbal expressions, or gestures that violate the dignity of any individual—be they students, teachers, administrative staff, or other institution members—will be allowed or accepted.

Physical violence inside the school premises, at the entrance, or in surrounding areas will not be tolerated. Any student who engages in such acts, whether individually or in a group, spontaneously or premeditatedly, will be sanctioned and, depending on the severity of the case, may be immediately expelled from the institution at the discretion of the Administration following an evaluation of the case.

Requests for a change of teacher will not be accepted. The school organizes courses, assigns teachers, and merges groups according to its pedagogical criteria and institutional needs.

Only in exceptional and serious cases will the administration evaluate and decide on the need for a course or teacher change.

Punctuality

Students must enter the classroom at the scheduled time. In case of delays or exceptional circumstances, the corresponding teacher must be notified in advance. Entry into the classroom will not be permitted between 15 and 30 minutes after the start of the class.

Use of Mobile Phones

Mobile phones may not be used in class unless required by the teacher for a didactic activity with exclusively pedagogical purposes. Recording classmates or teachers during or outside the class within school premises without their consent is also prohibited.

WhatsApp groups serve strictly pedagogical and didactic functions. Their use is regulated under current regulations. Using them to extract personal information (phone numbers, profiles, personal data) or contacting teachers outside of working hours will not be allowed.

The classroom and all school facilities are private spaces. Any student who violates these rules will be immediately sanctioned according to the criteria established by the institution, applying provisions from Article 197 of the Penal Code and Data Protection and Digital Rights Guarantee laws.

Use of Zoom Camera

Students attending class remotely via Zoom must keep their cameras on and remain visible to the teacher and classmates throughout the class or workshop. A turned-off camera or absence from the screen will be marked as “absent.”

If technical issues prevent proper connection, the student must notify the teacher immediately. If the issue originates from the educational institution’s system, the necessary steps will be taken to resolve it.

Zoom classes may be recorded for educational purposes within the school by authorized personnel, with prior notice and consent from students.

Attendance at Courses

To obtain a final Certificate of Achievement for a course, students must take into account the following:

• Certificates will be issued based on attendance, classroom participation, and the final exam, all of which will be evaluated using a credit system.
• Course attendance records may be consulted by the Immigration Department and the Police for administrative, penal, or background check purposes. It is assumed that students must attend at least 80% of their classes.
• Special attendance flexibility will be considered for students with newborns or young children under their care. They may attend classes remotely via Zoom when necessary.
• Bringing children into classrooms or school facilities during class hours is not permitted. The school will not be responsible for unaccompanied minors under any circumstances.
• Any identity fraud related to school attendance, exams, or academic documentation falsification will result in immediate expulsion.

Language of Use

During courses and workshops, the language of instruction will be used. The school’s methodology, based on communication, task-oriented learning, and immersion, must be respected. The goal is to support students’ adaptation and integration into the Catalan community and culture.

Continuous Assessment and Final Exams

• Self-assessment and weekly skill evaluations will help both students and teachers track progress.
• Final exams are mandatory, conducted in person, and administered via a technological platform.
• The teacher’s evaluation and grading are final and non-negotiable.
• The use of translation tools or technological support for plagiarism or automated text generation will not be allowed. Any detected attempt at cheating will result in immediate exam cancellation.

Eating in Class

Eating during regular class sessions or workshops is prohibited, except in activities explicitly planned and organized by the school and teaching staff.

Respect and Care for Educational Spaces

Students must take care of the school’s facilities, furniture, and educational materials. Any intentional damage or theft will be sanctioned immediately.

Bringing pets is only allowed if the group and teacher consent. Since different people may have various reactions to animals, new classmates must also be consulted before bringing a pet into the classroom.

Bringing dangerous objects or substances that could harm the school community is strictly prohibited.

Environmental Awareness

BCNLIP is committed to promoting respect for the environment and responsible consumption. The school’s immediate environmental objectives include:

• Implementing energy efficiency and savings measures.
• Raising awareness about responsible water consumption within school facilities.
• Encouraging responsible consumption of goods and services within the school and its surroundings, including cafeteria use, plant and tree care, and smoking away from the school entrance.
• Implementing a waste management system based on minimization, reuse, and recycling.
• Identifying and minimizing other significant environmental impacts related to educational activities.

Violations and Sanctions

Sanctions will be educational and restorative in nature, ensuring respect for students and their rights while seeking mutual understanding whenever possible. Their fundamental goal is to repair the damage caused and teach students about the consequences of their actions, providing opportunities for learning and growth.

The BCNLIP Group Administration will apply sanctions according to various factors to ensure a fair and proportional response.

Minor Violations

• Repeated and unjustified tardiness or absences.
• Behaviors that disrupt normal class activities.
• Consistent refusal to participate in academic activities.
• Disrespectful treatment of members of the educational community.
• Minor damage to facilities, furniture, educational materials, or personal belongings of others.

Applicable Sanctions for Minor Violations:

• Oral or written warning.
• Meeting with the Academic Director; if necessary, referral to a Mediator.
• Assigned tasks to contribute to improving school activities or repairing damage caused.
• Suspension from extracurricular or complementary school activities.

Serious Violations

• Acts of indiscipline, insults, or serious offenses against members of the educational community.
• Repeated behaviors that violate school coexistence rules within the same academic year.
• Physical, emotional, or moral aggression towards community members or third parties.
• Discriminatory actions based on race, culture, gender, appearance, disability, political views, or religion.
• Identity fraud in school matters or falsification/theft of academic documents.
• Deliberate misuse of electronic devices to disrupt the academic environment.
• Unauthorized recording, sharing, or dissemination of humiliating or aggressive content related to students or staff.
• Use or possession of hazardous objects or substances.

Applicable Sanctions for Serious Violations:

• Assigned tasks to improve school activities or repair damages.
• Suspension from extracurricular activities for up to three months.
• Transfer to a different group or school location.
• Expulsion from certain classes for two weeks to one month.
• Suspension from school for up to one month.
• Permanent expulsion without reimbursement.

Protocol Against Sexual Harassment and Gender-Based Harassment

1- Introduction and Rationale on the Issue of Sexual Harassment and Gender-Based Harassment. Importance of Protocol Implementation

Sexual harassment and/or gender-based harassment in academic settings are forms of violence that violate fundamental rights and have a devastating impact on the physical, psychological, and moral integrity of individuals, particularly women.

The prevention and management of sexual and gender-based harassment clearly and emphatically reflect the BCNLIP Group’s (BCNLIP Language School, BCNLIP Foundation, and IBP Vocational Training) commitment to eradicating such violence. This commitment applies to both the educational community’s staff—across all sectors and roles—and students. It raises awareness among staff and students and reinforces preventive measures against harassment while ensuring a confidential and swift internal investigation, clarification of facts, protection of the victim, resolution, sanctions, and the elimination of such behaviors.

The BCNLIP Group upholds a zero-tolerance policy for any conduct constituting harassment or intimidation. In situations where inappropriate treatment between members of the educational community occurs, activating this protocol allows for a clear evaluation of the facts and evidence to determine whether harassment has taken place and apply the necessary corrective measures. Failing to take action could result in more severe situations.

This protocol is the most effective tool to provide protection against harassment by enabling both prevention and remediation of harm suffered by victims. Informing and training the entire educational community helps prevent behaviors that constitute harassment, ensures their proper handling, and facilitates their eradication, guaranteeing compliance with current regulations.

Objectives

• Promote a preventive culture against sexual and gender-based harassment.
• Demonstrate the BCNLIP Group’s zero-tolerance stance toward detected cases of harassment.
• Facilitate the identification of behaviors that constitute harassment.
• Establish a simple, fast, and accessible confidential complaint and reporting procedure.
• Conduct swift, thorough, and confidential internal investigations of complaints.
• Apply sanctions against individuals found guilty of sexual and/or gender-based harassment.
• Support victims of harassment, preventing secondary victimization or re-victimization, and, if necessary, facilitate access to psychological and social support services.

The Protocol Will Be Governed by the Following Principles

a. Prevention and Awareness of sexual and gender-based harassment, including information and accessibility to procedures and measures.
b. Confidentiality and Respect for the privacy and dignity of affected individuals.
c. Presumption of Innocence must be respected.
d. Protection Against Retaliation for victims or individuals supporting the complaint.
e. Diligence, Speed, Security, Coordination, and Collaboration throughout the procedure.
f. Guarantee of Labor Rights and Social Protection for victims.
g. Thorough Investigation based on principles of confidentiality, contradiction, and oral testimony.
h. Ensuring Proper Action by adopting necessary measures.
i. Gender and Human Rights Perspective throughout the procedure.

2- Definition of Sexual Harassment

According to Article 7.1 of Organic Law 3/2007, March 22, on effective equality between women and men, and without prejudice to what is established in the Penal Code, sexual harassment is defined, for the purposes of this protocol, as any verbal or physical behavior of a sexual nature that aims to or results in an attack on the dignity of a person, particularly when it creates an intimidating, degrading, or offensive environment.

Behaviors Constituting Sexual Harassment

Verbal Conduct

Examples of verbal sexual harassment include, but are not limited to:

• Sexual innuendos, propositions, or pressure for sexual activity.
• Offensive flirting or suggestive comments.
• Obscene jokes, indirect remarks, or derogatory sexual comments.
• Unwanted phone calls or social media contact with inappropriate private content.
• Remarks or jokes about someone’s sexual appearance.

Non-Verbal Conduct

• Displaying sexually suggestive or pornographic images, objects, or writings.
• Lewd looks, gestures, or offensive written messages via emails or social media.

Physical Conduct

• Unwanted deliberate physical contact, such as touching, hugging, or kissing.
• Excessive and unnecessary physical closeness.

Quid Pro Quo Sexual Harassment (Sexual Blackmail)

This type of sexual harassment involves coercing a victim to choose between complying with sexual demands or facing negative consequences such as:

• Losing access to professional training.
• Losing employment continuity or promotion opportunities.
• Facing salary reductions or other adverse workplace decisions.

Since it constitutes an abuse of authority, the perpetrator is typically someone with the power to grant or withdraw professional benefits.

Environmental Sexual Harassment

This type of harassment occurs when a perpetrator creates an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating, or offensive environment for the victim due to unwanted sexual behaviors.

• It can be perpetrated by anyone within the organization, regardless of position or status.
• It may also be committed by external third parties interacting with the workplace environment.

2.1- Gender-Based Harassment

According to Article 7.2 of Organic Law 3/2007, gender-based harassment refers to any behavior directed at a person due to their gender with the intent or effect of attacking their dignity and creating an intimidating, degrading, or offensive environment.

All gender-based harassment is considered discriminatory and includes the following common elements:

• Harassment, defined as intimidating, degrading, humiliating, or offensive conduct perceived as such by the victim.
• Objective attack on the victim’s dignity, acknowledged both objectively and subjectively.
• Multiple rights violations, as gender-based harassment may infringe upon other fundamental rights.
• A pattern of behavior, meaning it is not an isolated incident.

Gender-based harassment primarily targets women, as social discrimination has historically assigned them reproductive and caregiving roles. However, men can also be victims when they engage in tasks traditionally attributed to women.

While isolated incidents may not constitute gender-based harassment, the school must take swift action to prevent recurring hostile behaviors.

5- Preventive, Proactive/Procedural, and Reactive/Corrective Measures

The BCNLIP Group is committed to implementing the following measures:

• Preventive measures, including a statement of principles, definitions of sexual harassment and gender-based harassment, and identification of behaviors that may constitute such harassment.
• Proactive or procedural measures to address harassment, facilitating the handling of complaints and reports, as well as implementing precautionary and/or corrective actions.
• Reactive measures, including disciplinary actions where necessary.

Through this protocol, BCNLIP Group declares its zero tolerance for any form of sexual or gender-based harassment within the organization.

By adopting this protocol, BCNLIP Group reaffirms its commitment to the prevention and response to harassment in all its forms. It ensures that all personnel—whether employees, external service providers, trainees, interns, or volunteers—are informed about and subject to this protocol.

Scope of Application

The protocol applies to cases of sexual or gender-based harassment that occur during work, in relation to work, or as a result of work, including:

• a. BCNLIP educational community and foundation staff, including management, teachers, administrative staff, commercial personnel, external service providers, transport, maintenance, and cleaning staff.
• b. Students, families, and/or host tutors.
• c. All premises of the BCNLIP Group, including break areas, dining spaces, and restrooms.
• d. Public and private spaces that constitute an extension of the workplace, including surrounding areas.
• e. Travel, events, or social, cultural, and educational activities related to work or the institution.
• f. Communication channels related to work, including electronic communications and online interactions (virtual or cyber harassment).
• g. Student accommodation, student housing, or host family residences owned or managed by BCNLIP Group.
• h. Commuting between home and the workplace.

Proactive Approach

The BCNLIP Group will take a proactive approach by:

• Raising awareness and informing about unacceptable behaviors.
• Promoting best practices.
• Implementing appropriate measures to handle and resolve complaints and reports.

This protocol complies with the requirements set forth in Spanish labor and equality laws, including:

• Articles 46.2 and 48 of Organic Law 3/2007 (March 22, 2007) on effective equality between women and men.
• Royal Decree 901/2020 (October 13, 2020) on equality plans and their registration.
• Royal Decree 713/2010 (May 28, 2010) on the registration and deposit of collective agreements.
• Article 14 of Law 31/1995 (November 8, 1995) on occupational risk prevention.