BARCELONA IMPULSA THE CITY’S ECONOMIC AGENDA barcelona.cat/economia-ocupacio Coordinated and written by: Manager’s Office for Economic Promotion, Barcelona City Council. Linguistic advice: Linguaserve Internacionalización de Servicios, SA. Graphic design and layout: Zinet Media Global SL and Aquells nois tan simpàtics, SL. Barcelona, March 2025. All the images are protected by copyright. DL: B 10717-2025 CONTENTS 1 FOREWORD 06 5 IMPACT 62 2 INTRODUCTION 10 6 BUDGET 64 3 THE ECONOMIC AGENDA 14 7 ANNEXES 66 ANNEXE I. MACROECONOMIC FIGURES 68 3.1 ECONOMIC ACTIVITY AREAS. 18 ON THE CITY OF BARCELONA BARCELONA’S URBAN TRANSFORMATION ANNEXE 2. STRATEGIC SECTORS 77 FOR DIVERSIFYING BARCELONA’S ECONOMY 3.2 CROSS-CUTTING POLICIES. 31 K EY CHALLENGES FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND THE PROMOTION OF QUALITY EMPLOYMENT 4 GOVERNANCE OF THE PLAN 60 BARCELONA IMPULSA 3 PROMOTING SHARED PROGRESS TO BUILD THE BARCELONA OF THE FUTURE Barcelona is a city in constant growth, expanding on multiple fronts: its population is now over 1.7 million—the highest level since 1991; the number of people registered with Social Security has surpassed 1.2 million for the first time; and its economic output has reached a historic mile- stone, with GDP topping €100 billion. This is thanks to the city’s vitality and appeal, bringing new busi- nesses and new high-quality jobs. It has achieved historic records for permanent contracts, and employment in the technology sec- tor has risen by 145% in the last ten years, well above the aver- age growth of Barcelona’s economy of 22%. Against this backdrop, Barcelona City Council is working to en- sure that this growth is balanced, equitable and shared by every- one. After all, if economic progress does not mean social pro- gress, it is not really progress at all. That is why we make sure that it is funnelled back into social investment. Among the major cities in Spain, we have the lowest unemployment rate (5.6%) and the highest level of social investment: €258 per resident. We want Barcelona to be a city that is good to live in, with co- hesive neighbourhoods and a dynamic economy that leaves no one behind. To achieve this, we have created the document you are now reading: Barcelona Impulsa, a roadmap that defines the main objectives and strategic areas that should enable us to con- tinue progressing until 2035, promoting the city’s key economic 4 sectors by outlining the initiatives and Barcelona Impulsa is a plan of plans actions to be undertaken. to position the city as a leader in in- novation, sustainability and equity, to Just like Catalonia as a whole, Barcelona ensure that it keeps growing economi- should generate high added value by cally and progressing socially. To do so, promoting innovation and diversifying we need strong public leadership that its economic sectors. We share a defends public-private partnerships commitment to the UN’s 2030 agenda and promotes the talent and individu- and its Sustainable Development al and collective initiative of the social Goals and align with the world’s most and economic stakeholders as drivers advanced cities by promoting sectors of transformation. We want to generate such as Industry 4.0, technology and shared prosperity in order to build the innovation; strengthening traditional city of the future. industries and local retail; promoting the green and blue economy; and fostering And we’ll do so by thinking beyond ad- scientific research and knowledge ministrative constraints. After all, the transfer to society and the world of real city is metropolitan Barcelona, the business. These actions should all Barcelona of five million people that facilitate better growth and stronger stretches as far as Vallès, Maresme, social cohesion while promoting the Baix Llobregat and Garraf. It is a vast, energy and ecological transition needed polycentric metropolis that operates to respond to the climate emergency. like a huge web of cities that together form one of Europe’s main economic Barcelona has made headway thanks hubs. to public leadership, especially from the City Council, which has defined Barcelona wants to dream and think and promoted urban transformation big again. And we’re poised to do it: projects that have turned into econom- dreaming about a better future to start ic transformation projects. As a result, building a better Barcelona today that is Barcelona is now a major technology more prosperous, fairer and more live- capital, with a rising economic profile able for future generations. Barcelona and strong growth in new industries. Impulsa will be our guide as we make this dream come true. Our city is solidly positioned, but we live in an ever-changing world and face sig- nificant challenges. We must continue Jaume Collboni Cuadrado our efforts to keep Barcelona in a lead- Mayor of Barcelona ing position. We need a new impetus. BARCELONA IMPULSA 5 1 FOREWORD 6 AN ECONOMIC AGENDA FOR THE BARCELONA OF THE FUTURE We live in a world of rapid, constant change, as one might expect during a major epochal shift. Its resulting acceleration and impact are forcing Barcelona to constantly check in on itself and make updates in order to keep pace with progress. Crucially, this progress must be grounded in the principles of social justice, sustainability and economic competitiveness to ensure that Barcelona re- mains a global leader on all these fronts. Now well into the 21st century, it is hardly news that we are all connected and that our sphere of action is global in all arenas: economic, ecological, social and political. Things that happen elsewhere in the world affect our future economy, well-being and progress. In this sense, we have witnessed profound changes in recent years. The tech- nological revolution and constant advances, especially the latest in artificial intel- ligence and big data, are increasingly determining the direction of progress, with all their opportunities and risks. In fact, some may wonder whether this document was written by AI. It was not, but this is precisely the change we are facing. And we have to expect more qualitative leaps in the near future, driven by the quantum revolution. We are also experiencing a shifting geopolitical landscape where traditional alliances are being challenged as polarization increases. It is an uncertain scene in which peace and security are once again at the heart of international relations and national spending. In this context, the EU must regain its strategic autonomy and bolster its integrated political role, with the aim of becoming a place that promotes competitiveness with values, guarantees of rights, freedom and a stronger democ- racy. And global cities like Barcelona cannot evade this challenge. Without question, the current economic context is forcing us to consider other levers for progress and competitiveness. The economic engines that dominated Barcelona in the 20th century (the port, the airport, the Fira or Zona Franca) must be joined by another fully 21st-century engine: knowledge. Science, innovation and research are now also important drivers, specifically the Barcelona Supercomputing Center, the Biomedical Research Park, the Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, the ALBA synchrotron and the future Ciutadella Knowledge Hub, among others. BARCELONA IMPULSA 7 After all, if we are living in a time of change, we and new business creation is extremely dynamic should not follow the same old playbook or limit (up 8.1% in the first 11 months of 2024). The ourselves to the same things we have always airport has the same number of passengers it done. In this context, cities are emerging as had in 2019, and the port has more container key global actors, able to anticipate events, find traffic than it did then. Among major cities in endogenous mechanisms of resilience, network Spain, we have the lowest unemployment rate to share responses and solutions, and transcend (5.6% according to the EPA) and the most the framework of their authorities, constraints comprehensive and robust social investment in and borders to spearhead change. the country. Cities are in the spotlight, both for the Nonetheless, we know that inequalities persist challenges we face and for the capacity and that we have a long way to go. But Barcelona to overcome them. Cities generate 75% of has never been a complacent city. If Barcelona greenhouse gas emissions and consume 70% wants to be a more prosperous, competitive, of the world’s energy. The vast majority of the equitable and sustainable city, it needs to world’s population lives in cities, and they are reinvent itself, stay ahead of the times and also the hotspots of productive capacity: 60% constantly bring the future into the present. As of global GDP is generated in the 300 most one of Europe’s leading cities, it must assume its dynamic cities on the planet. Cities import responsibility to strengthen democracy and the the most essential resources (water, food and EU’s political role and make the most of all its energy), while they export knowledge and opportunities. innovation. With all these goals in mind, we are presenting Barcelona is part of this economic wave. this Barcelona Impulsa plan, a galvanising Today, Barcelona’s GDP has exceeded €100 exercise that reflects Barcelona’s new reality billion, its GDP growth is 3.8% year-on-year and needs. This plan furthers the city’s priority 8 1. FOREWORD economic sectors, outlines the initiatives and a place to live, have fun or develop personally measures to be carried out and defines the or professionally. Better economic promotion objectives and main strategic areas that should should mean that everyone has better enable us to keep moving forward. opportunities to develop their individual and collective life plans, and that wealth is better Barcelona’s history is a success story, a success redistributed. that can be explained by the public and private authorities constantly working together to This effort will clearly only be possible with promote new challenges and new horizons. strong public leadership and strong public- It is a collective effort for Barcelona to define private cooperation, which is how the city’s major its new economic promotion roadmap, which milestones have always been achieved. It also should favour the generation of progress, requires institutional commitment, cooperation seen as the bedrock for the creation of and social dialogue, especially with the real quality jobs and as a lever of opportunity Barcelona, the city of five million people in the and, therefore, social cohesion. It should metropolitan area and the towns that make it up, be shared progress that leaves no one behind as well as with Catalonia’s other institutions with and works for collective interests while also which we share objectives. recognising individual initiative, talent and the After all, we cannot just think about next year role of economic stakeholders and workers as or even next term—we have to think about the engines of impetus and transformation. upcoming generations. This is a collective and To achieve this, it is important to bear in mind deeply exciting venture in favour of economic certain basic tenets: economic promotion competitiveness and shared progress. This will benefits the city, which benefits its citizens be the city of the 21st century and this is the and the people who have chosen the city as strategic document to make it happen. BARCELONA IMPULSA 9 2 INTRODUCTION 10 A STRATEGY FOR THE CITY’S ECONOMIC FUTURE The Barcelona Impulsa plan outlines the economic promotion roadmap until 2035. The goal is clear: to diversify the economy, create quality jobs and strengthen and enhance the city’s positioning in strategic sectors such as technology, healthcare and care work, research, culture and the green and blue economy. It is an ambitious plan that aims to make the city a benchmark in innovation, sus- tainability and equity. With a forecast investment of €890 million between 2024 and 2027 and plans to create an estimated 180,000 jobs and transform more than 1,800,000 m² of land in the metropolitan area, Barcelona is getting ready to face the major challenges of the future and guarantee opportunities for everyone. Economic diversification is the backbone of this plan, which will enable the city to be more competitive in the global arena and less vulnerable to the market fluc- tuations that affect more entrenched sectors. Barcelona cannot rely on a limited number of sectors to sustain its economy, hence the particular focus on sectors with a high growth potential, including healthcare, the blue economy, the creative industries and the care economy. These sectors not only foster quality job creation but also promote a fairer, more inclusive and more resilient city model. In parallel, the city is also taking a firm stand to promote these strategic sectors along with specialisation and collaboration among companies, academic institu- tions and public and private stakeholders. This diversified, connected ecosystem not only facilitates knowledge exchange but also accelerates innovation and the creation of added value, essential factors in the city’s sustainable growth. Two important factors are worth highlighting. First, the Barcelona Impulsa plan is a ‘plan of plans’. That is, it serves as an umbrella for other sector-specific or more executive plans. Some of them are already under way, while others will be devel- oped and approved in the upcoming months. Secondly, the Barcelona Impulsa plan encompasses a geographic region that ex- tends beyond the city to include all the potential and opportunities generated by all the infrastructures, human capital and economic sectors in the metropolitan area. BARCELONA IMPULSA 11 GUIDING PRINCIPLES Barcelona Impulsa is inspired by the principles of Prosperity the European Pillar of Social Rights, with the aim Fostering sustainable economic growth focused of building and bolstering its economic policy in on the creation of quality jobs, supporting order to fight against inequalities and guarantee local SMEs, promoting local commerce and its citizens equal opportunities and fair working supporting a responsible tourism industry, as conditions. To this end, the gender perspective, well as ensuring access to affordable housing territorial and social cohesion, equal opportuni- and promoting cultural expression as a driver of ties, social justice, prosperity, competitiveness, development. equity and environmental sustainability are the themes that cut across all its actions and initi- Competitiveness atives. Positioning Barcelona as a global economic leader by investing in innovative sectors, re- Gender perspective search, development and improved digital and Promoting gender equality between men and transport infrastructure. women as a cross-cutting principle by advanc- ing policies to rectify the structural inequalities Equity that affect women and by fostering an inclusive, Ensuring fair and equal access for everyone by egalitarian and fair economy. redistributing wealth, combating inequalities and working towards the social and work inclu- Territorial and social cohesion sion and cohesion of the most vulnerable people Developing a balanced economic model across in society. the city’s neighbourhoods and districts to com- bat territorial and socioeconomic inequality, and Environmental sustainability leveraging the synergies in each area to achieve Promoting an environmentally friendly econo- social and economic progress. my that reduces emissions, protects natural re- sources and promotes circular and sustainable Equal opportunities production and consumption patterns, as well Promoting lifelong vocational training and ed- as creating more green areas and encouraging ucation, as well as access to decent work, as responsible business practices. the keys to ensuring that citizens have genuine opportunities to actively contribute to our city’s economic and social progress. Social justice Redistributing wealth in an equitable manner, ensuring universal access to essential services and combating all forms of discrimination and social exclusion as the pillars of a fairer and more supportive society. 12 2. INTRODUCTION MISSION AND VISION Vision To make Barcelona an economic capital based on talent and knowledge, promoting access to quality jobs for everyone and business competi- tiveness in all traditional and emerging econom- ic sectors. Mission The Barcelona Impulsa plan is a comprehensive executive roadmap built on the vision of a di- versified economy to address current and future challenges. LINES OF ACTION The Barcelona Impulsa plan is built around four key objectives, which target ten strategic sectors: • MANAGING the visitor economy. • PROMOTE local retail. • BOOST strategic sectors such as health- care, technology and digital industries, the care economy, the creative industries, sci- ence and innovation, agrifood, the social and solidarity economy, and the blue econ- omy. • CREATING quality employment. BARCELONA IMPULSA 13 3 THE ECONOMIC AGENDA 14 This section outlines the strategic initiatives and measures to be undertaken and the economic sectors to be promoted in order to diversify the city’s economy. First, it presents the main economic areas located in the city, which represent the main nodes of municipal initiative related to the stra- tegic sectors with city challenges connected to an actual physical location. Second, it outlines the cross-cutting policies, aligned with the key challenges identified in the plan, which have either no specific phys- ical location or many of them scattered around the city. These pol- icies are designed to promote a more sustainable, inclusive and competitive economy by fostering innovation, digitalisation and so- cial cohesion. They reflect a steadfast commitment to balanced growth and collec- tive well-being, and they ensure Barcelona’s ability to rise to global challenges and gain a solid foothold as an international benchmark. BARCELONA IMPULSA 15 ECONOMIC ACTIVITY AREAS. Diagonal Health Hub: Research, knowledge BARCELONA’S URBAN transfer and life sciences. TRANSFORMATION Sants-Montjuïc: Events, sports, The Barcelona Impulsa plan focuses on eight cooperativism and culture. main strategic areas which will become the Centre: Re-urbanisation, science and city’s economic engines: entrepreneurship. Seafront: Blue economy and sustainability. 22@: Innovation, entrepreneurship and cre- ativity. Besòs: Creative, green and circular industry. Zona Franca: Industry 4.0, food and logistics. La Sagrera: New focal point and urban development. 16 3. THE ECONOMIC AGENDA KEY CHALLENGES IN Promotion of quality employment for all THE CITY’S ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND THE Looking after people PROMOTION OF QUALITY Support for local retail EMPLOYMENT Knowledge transfer The ten economic sectors and eight geographic Talent generation and development economic activity areas will serve as the engines of revitalisation and will be complemented with Facilitating entrepreneurship and cross-cutting policies that address the challeng- economic activity es that extend across the entire city. Strategic autonomy Positioning of the city and global connectivity Digital transformation Green transition of businesses Tourism management Strategic sectors The economic agenda focuses on promoting the city’s strategic sectors which contribute to generating quality jobs. Trade and Science and Visitor Health Care economy catering innovation economy Social and Technology and Creative Blue Agrifood solidarity digital industries industries economy economy BARCELONA IMPULSA 17 3.1 ECONOMIC ACTIVITY AREAS. BARCELONA’S URBAN TRANSFORMATION Caixa Research Institute Porta Diagonal Marenostrum 5 Supercomputer (BSC) Diagonal Health Hub New Hospital Clínic Barcelona Fraunhofer CAT La Sagrera Circular Hub La Sagrera Sants-Montjuïc Biopol Centre Bloc4BCN 22@ Renovation of Fira de Plaça de les Glòries Montjuïc 2029 Hall 0 Fira Gran Via FoodLab Urban Tech Besòs Palau d’Esports Care Work Hub Tres Xemeneies La Rambla La Marina del Catalunya Media Hub Zona Franca Consortium Via Laietana Palo Alto Building Prat Vermell Ciutadella Knowledge Hub Mercabarna Coastal Plan Diagonal-Besòs Campus Zona Franca PORT New Mar Bella promenade Seafront Port Olímpic PORT Technology Park Marítima de Barcelona Diagonal Health Hub Zona Franca Sants-Montjuïc Centre Seafront 22@ Besòs La Sagrera Research, knowledge transfer Industry 4.0, food and Events, sports, cooperativism Re-urbanisation, science and Blue economy and Innovation, entrepreneurship Creative, green and New focal point and life sciences logistics and culture entrepreneurship Sustainability and creativity circular industry and urban development 18 AIR The main economic activity hubs described in research sectors which serve as catalysts for this section are in addition and complementary the sector and maximise its development. The to the important decentralised economic activity main projects expected to have the greatest that takes place in the city’s 73 neighbourhoods, impact in the coming years for the economic which essentially comprise the most important diversification of the city are highlighted. economic sectors, namely retail, restaurants These eight economic areas are: Diagonal and the visitor economy in general, which ac- Health Hub, Sants-Montjuïc, Centre, Seafront, count for around 25% of the city’s GVA. 22@, Besòs, Zona Franca and La Sagrera. The eight main economic areas defined describe hubs that concentrate specific economic and Caixa Research Institute Porta Diagonal Marenostrum 5 Supercomputer (BSC) Diagonal Health Hub New Hospital Clínic Barcelona Fraunhofer CAT La Sagrera Circular Hub La Sagrera Sants-Montjuïc Biopol Centre Bloc4BCN Renovation of Fira de Plaça de les Glòries 22@ Montjuïc 2029 Hall 0 Fira Gran Via FoodLab Urban Tech Besòs Palau d’Esports Care Work Hub Tres Xemeneies La Rambla La Marina del Catalunya Media Hub Zona Franca Consortium Via Laietana Palo Alto Building Prat Vermell Ciutadella Knowledge Hub Mercabarna Coastal Plan Diagonal-Besòs Campus R Zona Franca PO T New Mar Bella promenade Seafront Port Olímpic PORT Technology Park Marítima de Barcelona Diagonal Health Hub Zona Franca Sants-Montjuïc Centre Seafront 22@ Besòs La Sagrera Research, knowledge transfer Industry 4.0, food and Events, sports, cooperativism Re-urbanisation, science and Blue economy and Innovation, entrepreneurship Creative, green and New focal point and life sciences logistics and culture entrepreneurship Sustainability and creativity circular industry and urban development BARCELONA IMPULSA 19 AIR DIAGONAL HEALTH HUB: RESEARCH, KNOWLEDGE TRANSFER AND LIFE SCIENCES Catalonia is home to 50% of the pharmaceutical industry in Spain and is the top exporter of health sector goods in the country. All of this is concentrated in Barcelona and its metropolitan area, where 94% of the 1,400 companies in the sector in Catalonia are located. But we want to take this a step further. From Avinguda Diagonal to the Ronda de Dalt ring road, new initiatives to push the sector towards new milestones will be promoted in order to increase the amount of public space on the ring road, open new research and knowledge-transfer institutes (such as the CaixaResearch Institute and the Institut Fraunhofer CAT) and implement the New Clínic project, with more capacity, more research and ultimately better public healthcare for everyone. New Clínic care, university, science and research facilities; Institutions will work together to transform spaces for local residents; and the connection 290,000 m2 on the Llobregat side of Avinguda to metro Line 3, which will be extended to reach Diagonal to build a health and science hub this area. with neighborhood spaces and facilities. The health and science hub will be at the cur- The aim is to drive the urban development rent location of the University of Barcelona’s needed to build the campus, which will include sports service. the expansion of Hospital Clínic; the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Barcelona; health- 20 3. THE ECONOMIC AGENDA Work on the first module is expected to be completed in 2025 and will employ around 500 researchers, with more than 40 research groups and scientific and technical service units. As part of the urban redevelopment of the entire area where the new centre will be built, a new public square will be created on the Ronda de Dalt ring road, connecting to the CosmoCaixa Museum and providing additional areas for pub- lic use. Barcelona Fraunhofer CAT MareNostrum 5 Supercomputer (BSC) Inauguration of the new MareNostrum 5 Eu- The city of Barcelona will host the first ropean Supercomputer at the Barcelona Su- Spanish facility of the Fraunhofer foun- percomputing Center – National Supercom- dation, the largest and most prestigious puting Centre (BSC-CNS). This is one of the applied research organisation in Europe, world’s most comprehensive and versatile ma- with 76 institutes and research units and chines available to the scientific community, and an extensive international network of sci- the only one with two systems ranked among entists and engineers around the world. the twenty most powerful supercomputers in the world. Promoted by the Barcelona Innovation Coast to further solidify and enhance The launch of the new MareNostrum 5 confirms Barcelona’s powerful role as a generator the BSC as one of the world’s leading supercom- of knowledge and innovation, the centre puting centres, with more than 900 employees. will start working as the new Fraunhofer The BSC is a centre of excellence in the new CAT (Center for Applied Theragnos- knowledge economy that will create hun- tics) life sciences research centre, which dreds of direct and indirect jobs and train the will focus on a new approach that com- professionals of today and tomorrow. bines therapy and diagnosis (theragnos- tics) as the cornerstone of smart health solutions through research synergies between engineering and biomedical re- search. CaixaResearch Institute The new CaixaResearch Institute will feature a new building for health research and innovation, with the aim of becoming a world leader in immunological research, taking advantage of synergies and complementing the work of the current Catalan and Iberian biomedical ecosystem. BARCELONA IMPULSA 21 ZONA FRANCA: INDUSTRY 4.0, FOOD AND LOGISTICS, AND A NEW RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBOURHOOD Barcelona’s Zona Franca is one of the city’s main industrial and logistics hubs. Strategically posi- tioned between the port and Barcelona airport, it accounts for 6% of the city’s surface area and features an industrial, logistics and customs area. Barcelona’s Zona Franca currently generates over 137,000 jobs and is home to 300 companies in the service, industry and logistics sectors. Zona Franca Consortium ties such as logistics and the transport of fresh Barcelona City Council and the Zona Franca goods. The plots will be transformed gradually Consortium (CZFB) have reached an agree- over the coming years. ment to promote social housing through CZFB’s transfer of land, with plans for 1,878 affordable Marina del Prat Vermell rental flats. The homes will be built on a total of The Marina del Prat Vermell zone in the 23 plots of land in Marina del Prat Vermell (8) and Sants-Montjuïc district is located between Zona Casernes de Sant Andreu (15). Franca, Fira de Barcelona and the Ciutat de la Justícia. This project focuses on the redevelop- CZFB also has projects under way to turn the ment and urban planning of a highly anticipated area into the new District 4.0: area measuring a total of 750,000 m2, which is • The Logistics 4.0 Incubator: the first in- strategically located and will be transformed into cubator in Spain fully dedicated to Industry a well-integrated part of the city that will also in- 4.0 in the logistics sector. clude affordable rental housing. • DFactory: a tech platform that currently The aim is to convert this industrial area into a employs over 500 professionals in sectors lively local neighbourhood where housing, green such as 3D printing, AI, robotics, sensors, areas and the generation of economic activity blockchain, IoT, data management, and will all play a major role. This will provide the augmented and virtual reality. It occupies city with a new residential neighbourhood where a 17,000 m² facility spread over four floors 28,000 people are expected to live and create with open, transparent, digital spaces. between 8,000 and 11,000 jobs. Work is under way on the construction of public housing devel- Enlargement of Mercabarna opments (6,248 homes, 1,019 through municipal Mercabarna is launching the bidding process for initiative), facilities and a large green lung: the the first plots in its expansion project, which be- Tretze Roses park. gan in 2021, with a total of more than 20,000 m². This will provide 22% more land for new activi- 22 3. THE ECONOMIC AGENDA SANTS-MONTJUÏC: EVENTS, SPORTS, COOPERATIVISM AND CULTURE Sants-Montjuïc is emerging as a hub of activity in the fields of connectivity, sports, coopera- tivism and culture in Barcelona. This transformation is being driven by key projects such as Nou Montjuïc, which will improve its sport infrastructure and attract international events to the city; Bloc4BCN, a large new cooperative space to support the social and solidarity economy; and the expansion of Fira 2029, reinforcing Barcelona’s position as an appealing venue for conferences while showcasing its large-scale cultural facilities for the enjoyment of residents and visitors alike. Expansion of Fira 2029 Bloc4BCN The expansion of Fira de Barcelona in Gran Via Bloc4BCN is Barcelona’s new collaborative will revolve around the new pavilion, Hall Zero, workspace: 4,500 m2 devoted to promoting co- which will add 60,000 m² of exhibition area operativism, the incubation and acceleration and increase its total capacity by 25%. The pa- of cooperatives and alliances with other cultur- vilion, which will feature a conference centre and al, educational and business stakeholders. several meeting rooms, will be connected to the This space, which opened in March 2024, is one current site by means of a walkway. The project of the largest cooperative hubs in Europe. Its is backed by a €210 million investment and is activities include providing support and advice, expected to be completed in 2026. raising awareness and working with other par- The expansion is part of a €498 million invest- ties to bring talent to the social and solidarity ment plan that also includes updating and re- economy to help develop and transform the city furbishing the Montjuïc site by 2029. The aim from a socioeconomic point of view. of this development is to establish Barcelona as Bloc4BCN aims to host up to 60 business an international leader in the field of conferenc- projects in incubation and acceleration pro- es and events to attract more economic activity grammes. Other programmes targeted at coop- and professionals to the city. eratives include co-working spaces, workshop areas, training, advice and meeting points with the public. BARCELONA IMPULSA 23 CENTRE: RE-URBANISATION, SCIENCE AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP Barcelona is undertaking a complete renovation of two major roads, La Rambla and Via Laietana, and the works undertaken on Plaça de les Glòries are nearing completion. These projects will breathe new life into iconic areas to promote cultural activities and encourage their use by both residents and visitors. As for sector-specific hubs, the Ciutadella Knowledge Hub will feature research and education spaces, while the Coastal Plan will improve coastal infrastructures and foster business development and innovation, with a particular focus on the blue economy. Ciutadella Knowledge Hub La Rambla The Ciutadella Knowledge Hub is a leading am- The project to remodel La Rambla seeks to bitious scientific and urban planning initiative transform this avenue through new paving and in Europe that will transform Parc de la Ciuta- the redistribution of the road to give priority della and its surroundings into a hub of excel- to pedestrians while supporting sustainable lence for knowledge, research, innovation and tourism and local community life in Ciutat outreach. The project includes improving green Vella. The work, which will be carried out while areas, renovating buildings to be used for science showcasing the area’s iconic buildings, aims to and academia and encouraging fields such as pre- revitalise the urban environment by incorporating cision medicine and biodiversity with the goal of green and rest areas while promoting local cultural attracting 1,600 researchers. The main initiatives and economic activities. A good example is the include transforming the Mercat del Peix into a renovation of the Boqueria market to modernise its biomedicine and biodiversity research complex, management while retaining its unique personality. developing a new CSIC bioscience hub, creating The aim is to make La Rambla more attractive the Barcelona Central Library, revitalising a herit- and welcoming and to celebrate the rich culture age and science area south of the park and im- and architecture of Ciutat Vella and Barcelona plementing a strategic plan for the Barcelona Zoo as a whole by creating a more accessible and focusing on animal welfare and the conservation inviting environment for both residents and visitors. of biodiversity. 24 3. THE ECONOMIC AGENDA Via Laietana with more pedestrian crossings. It will also Via Laietana is being transformed into an avenue introduce four large relaxation areas along the that prioritises pedestrians and sustainable mo- street: the area around the junction with the new bility: a greener street, with more space for walk- Carrer de Jonqueres, a large square at Antoni ing and enjoying local retailers. Maura connecting the Cathedral with Mercat de Santa Caterina, the Plaça de l’Àngel and the The new Via Laietana will improve connectivity Plaça d’Idrissa Diallo. between the Gothic Quarter and the Sant Pere, Santa Caterina and La Ribera neighbourhood SEAFRONT: BLUE ECONOMY AND SUSTAINABILITY Barcelona is reconnecting with the sea, not just to enjoy it but also to drive economic growth, research, technology and the city’s commitment to sustainability and the fight against climate change. The coast- line is a vast public asset, a true privilege that must be preserved, improved and protected for every resident’s enjoyment by improving its facilities and connectivity, increasing the amount of greenery and the overall quality of the space and promoting a variety of uses (such as sport, leisure and recreation and economic activities) while ensuring that they can all coexist without conflict. This is the Coastal Plan, a comprehensive vision of Barcelona’s close relationship with the sea—a luxury to be treasured. The city’s coastline should be a place that fosters the new sectors of the blue economy, in which Bar- celona aims to become a touchstone in the Mediterranean, with space for sports combined with dining, entrepreneurship and innovation (such as the new, transformed Port Olímpic), as well as places for train- ing, marine research and cutting-edge technology transfer, such as the Maritime Technology Park that will be built at the new entrance to the Port of Barcelona. BARCELONA IMPULSA 25 Coastal Plan Port Olímpic The Coastal Plan is a planning tool that aims Built in 1991 for the Olympic Games, the port to organise and manage all urban spaces has been relaunched for the America’s Cup as along the city’s coastline, covering coastal a driving force for the blue economy. It is now neighbourhoods, harbours, beaches, facilities a more welcoming and friendly space, with a and open spaces. It aims to connect with the promenade from the Recer breakwater to the city’s coastline (2018-2028) based on a compre- Gastronomic Balcony. hensive and cross-cutting vision that leads to an understanding of its strengths and weaknesses, New Mar Bella promenade the threats it faces and the opportunities it of- This project runs from the Mar Bella Sports fers, and to implement initiatives and projects to Complex to Plaça de Llevant and will complete make it an increasingly liveable, sustainable and the Barcelona sea front, connecting the city’s well-established part of the city. coast from end to end. It aims to put people’s needs at the heart of urban planning to restore The Coastal Plan has a ten-year timeframe and this part of the city for daily use by citizens. will be rolled out through 63 projects. Barcelona Sea of Science Barcelona Maritime Technology Park Barcelona Sea of Science is a joint initiative of The Barcelona Maritime Technology Park Barcelona City Council and the Spanish Na- (PTMB) will be a new facility associated with tional Research Council (CSIC) that establish- blue economy training, research, technol- es a space for knowledge transfer, education, ogy transfer, entrepreneurship and innova- awareness, outreach, and citizen participation tion, with unique premises unrivalled in the concerning the seas and oceans. The goal is to Mediterranean region. It is outlined in the 2018 bring visibility to the research conducted by the Coastal Plan and Barcelona City Council’s Blue teams at the Institute of Marine Sciences (ICM- Economy Strategy and included in the Blue Dis- CSIC) and ensure that the citizens of Barcelona trict programme of the Barcelona Port Author- become active participants, transforming ma- ity’s 2021-2024 Innovation Plan. The project, rine research into the city’s living heritage, par- which is also a legacy from the 37th Amer- ticularly in La Barceloneta neighbourhood. Ad- ica’s Cup, is in line with the goals of UNES- ditionally, by promoting knowledge about the CO’s Ocean Decade. It is also part of the Span- ocean and the ecosystem services it provides, ish government’s Recovery, Transformation and the initiative aims to encourage more people Resilience Plan. to engage in preserving its health and integrity With the PTMB, Barcelona is choosing a stra- (“One Health”). tegic project with a global commitment that will become a benchmark in the Mediterranean. The facility will be located at the new entrance to the port. 26 3. THE ECONOMIC AGENDA 22@: INNOVATION, ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND CREATIVITY Barcelona’s 22@ district, a groundbreaking urban, economic and social renovation and innovation project, is becoming firmly established and growing with key projects such as Palo Alto, a flagship facility for the creative industries; the Innovation Laboratory-Food Lab for culinary innovation; Ur- ban Tech, a cutting-edge urban technology hub; the future healthcare hub; and the Tram extension, which will improve connectivity and accessibility. Together with the renovation of the 22@ Nord area, which will add a total of 75 hectares to the technology district, these initiatives aim to continue to attract businesses and creative talent while fostering collaboration between the technology, creative and knowledge industries. Plaça de les Glòries Catalanes Palo Alto Building Plaça de les Glòries is reaching the comple- Hub for research, innovation and entrepre- tion of its remodelling, which will turn it into a neurship in the field of the creative indus- new hub in the city, with La Clariana park as a tries. Spearheaded by Barcelona Activa, it will huge green space and plans for new housing, specialise in the creation and dissemination of facilities and services. The project greatly im- audiovisual projects based on new technolo- proves accessibility and connectivity between gies, including immersive experiences, virtual the neighbouring neighbourhoods of Clot-Camp and augmented reality, animation, 3D and all de l’Arpa, Poblenou, Sagrada Família and Fort technologies that are included in expanded re- Pienc. ality (XR) applied to the areas of culture, com- munication, video games, leisure, education and The new metro station and Trambesòs will turn new formats adapted to various audiences and the area into a central public transport hub formats. The facility will seek to connect the connecting the large green space to major cul- major technological innovation areas in Bar- tural facilities such as the Teatre Nacional de celona, Spain and Europe by bringing togeth- Catalunya, L’Auditori and the Barcelona Disseny er businesses and entrepreneurs engaged in Hub, and iconic buildings such as Torre Glòries the production of cutting-edge digital contents. and Mercat dels Encants. As part of this, there will be training, cultural events and creative experiences for all mem- bers of the community, fostering the city’s talent. BARCELONA IMPULSA 27 FoodLab experimentation laboratories and implement Barcelona City Council, as its owner, will use actions to form ties with the local community the ‘nau Shield’ building in the La Escocesa and ecosystems. It will house energy-transition site to promote the food sector, gastronomy projects by working on energy for zero- and foodtech in Barcelona via Barcelona Acti- emission buildings, nanomaterials, urban va, in partnership with Mercabarna. The launch big data, urban simulations, open-source of this food lab will create a new activity and in- sensors, smart mobility and citizen co- novation hub in the field of food and gastrono- design, among others. Likewise, Barcelona my. The lab will use cutting-edge technology Urban Tech in Poblenou will also house digital and promote food tech projects in Barcelona. manufacturing programmes, an urban start-up The aim of the project is to spearhead the trans- incubator and a simulator showing what zero- formation of the 22@Nord area, driving public in- emissions buildings will be like, with clean energy vestment by redeveloping the central building of and wood materials, among other features. the La Escocesa site and ensuring that this new urban planning project goes ahead. Care Innovation Hub The Care Innovation Hub, driven by Barcelo- Urban Tech na City Council through Barcelona Activa and The Àvila building will be turned into a new developed under a public-private partner- hub that will enable Barcelona to retain ship, will be a pioneering space in the field its position as an urban and Smart City of care. Designed to strengthen and revitalise innovation leader. Barcelona Urban Tech will the city’s care ecosystem, the hub focuses on be developed through Barcelona Activa and will ageing and dependency, addressing one of the- offer talent attraction and training programmes, main challenges society is facing today. support companies in open innovation, create 28 3. THE ECONOMIC AGENDA BESÒS: CREATIVE, GREEN AND CIRCULAR INDUSTRY Barcelona’s Besòs area will become a significant hub for Industry 4.0 and the circular economy thanks to key projects such as the Circular Hub, which will foster sustainability and the circular economy; the Diagonal-Besòs Campus, which will advance cutting-edge technology education and research; and the Tres Xemeneies audiovisual hub, which will boost the creative and tech in- dustry. These initiatives will attract investment and drive innovation and collaboration between industries, positioning the Besòs as a leader in Barcelona’s industrial and sustainable trans- formation. Barcelona Circular Hub specialising in engineering, energy and materials Barcelona Circular Hub seeks to promote science, this campus is a hub of excellence new circular economy business models and in academic training, entrepreneurship and support the digital transformation of SMEs. research. The initiative, which is located in the Asunción Its expansion will entail building new facilities with building in the Bon Pastor neighbourhood (Sant a focus on key areas such as sustainable energy Andreu) and is being carried out through Barce- and biomedical engineering, consolidating the lona Activa, seeks to boost local talent and busi- campus’s position as the epicentre of sustainable nesses by attracting international creative talent energy logistics in the city. In addition to the and companies while boosting a competitive and current buildings used for teaching, research innovative industry. It will include start-ups and and economic activities by SMEs, start-ups key twenty-first-century industry companies, and co-working spaces, the campus features as well as offering ongoing training in a busi- accommodation for students, researchers and ness context. The services and programmes to teachers, as well as a green park to connect be provided by the new hub will include an In- spaces and promote sustainability. With these dustry 4.0 innovation and trend observatory, an expansion plans, the Diagonal-Besòs Campus is incubator and accelerator for circular start-ups, becoming a driver of innovation and economic and training activities, support and advice in re- growth in sustainable technologies. lation to the circular economy. Catalunya Media Hub – Tres Diagonal-Besòs Campus Xemeneies The Diagonal-Besòs Campus brings together This project involves developing the Tres Xeme- the city’s business network and academic neies audiovisual hub in Sant Adrià de Besòs community to promote innovation in the green as part of the Catalunya Media City initiative. economy and foster the growth of green The Government of Catalonia has approved a start-ups. With more than 40 research groups €5.9 million investment for the hub, BARCELONA IMPULSA 29 which will feature training, research and cre- aim is to turn this facility into a global audiovis- ation facilities for the audiovisual and digital ual innovation leader, which will boost the indus- fields. Work on the renovation and enlargement try and foster economic growth and the creation of the Turbines building, which will increase from of new jobs in this sector. 22,600 to 35,000 m², will begin in April 2026. The LA SAGRERA: NEW FOCAL POINT AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT La Sagrera is emerging as Barcelona’s last major area for urban development. With an availa- ble surface area of over 1 million m2, over half of which will be earmarked for economic activity, this area presents a unique opportunity to become a new high-performance economic activity hub. The City Council’s aim is to make the area an attractive place to set up businesses and projects, with the ultimate aim of creating quality jobs for everyone. The experience with 22@ should make it possible to create an urban network that promotes high-performance economic activity, combining business, research and training with housing, with almost 10,000 homes, 43% of which will be social housing. The City Council will drive the urban planning and economic development of this new neighbourhood to give it a key role in the city’s emerging economy. In addition, La Sagrera will become a new gateway to the city, a link to both Europe and the rest of Spain. This will create a new focal point, which will be supported by extensive connec- tivity to the rest of the city. 30 3. THE ECONOMIC AGENDA 3.2 CROSS-CUTTING POLICIES. KEY CHALLENGES IN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND THE PROMOTION OF QUALITY JOBS Below we present the cross-cutting policies that will be implemented during the upcoming period and are aligned with the key challenges identified in this plan. PROMOTING EMPLOYMENT FOR ALL At a time when social inequalities have widened, Barcelona is committed to implementing a series of initiatives and measures aimed at promoting citizen well-being, social cohesion and quality jobs. These initiatives are not only a sign of social commitment but also an investment in the city’s future, with the aspiration to create opportunities for everyone and foster an environment of shared prosperity. The measures to be implemented for the achievement of these goals are outlined below. Commitment to quality jobs in Barcelona Strategies for quality jobs These strategies are structured around the 2021-2030 Barcelona Agreement for Quality Employment (ABOQ) and the 2024-2030 Quality Youth Employment Plan (POJQ), both led and coordinated by Barcelona Ac- tiva. These strategies aim to promote the creation of decent, sustainable jobs for all city residents, with a focus on the employment needs of vulner- able social groups and areas of inequality. The Barcelona Agreement serves as the strategic framework for implementing quality employment poli- cies in the city of Barcelona for the next decade, while the POJQ outlines measures designed to improve career guidance, professional qualifications and job creation, and foster entrepreneurship among young people in the city. BARCELONA IMPULSA 31 CreaFeina (create employment) Endreça plan. A specific line for young people is programme also included to enable them to gain their first The CreaFeina programme, promoted by Bar- professional experience. celona City Council through Barcelona Activa, aims to foster talent and business competi- tiveness by providing economic support for the hiring of new workers. Within this initiative, two key programmes stand out: CreaFeina In- vestiga, focused on hiring scientific and research personnel, with a special priority on hiring PhDs on permanent contracts, and CreaFeina Im- pacte, which promotes the hiring of profession- als into strategic roles within social impact and social economy organisations. In both cases, companies can receive up to €15,000 for each new contract, with varying amounts depending on the target group of the hired person. Additionally, CreaFeina includes a specific fund- ing line called CreaFeina Inclusiva, designed to support the hiring of people who are unem- ployed, particularly those in long-term unem- ployment, at risk of social exclusion or first-time job seekers. In these cases, companies can ac- Employment Fair: Promoting cess grants of up to €8,000 for each new hire. quality jobs This is an annual event organised by Barcelona Comprehensive Programmes Activa and Fira de Barcelona with the involve- with Recruitment ment of the main stakeholders in the city’s em- Comprehensive Programmes with Recruit- ployment ecosystem. ment (PIC) help people who are unemployed Its main aim is to promote quality jobs and help and face greater difficulties in finding work match companies in search of talent with people to enter the labour market, especially those looking for job opportunities. in or at risk of social emergency situations. Every year, the City Council hires nearly 500 The programme includes a wide range of ser- people, who sign contracts lasting between vices, activities and resources tailored to take 6 and 12 months and work on projects across account of the latest trends and technological more than 30 municipal areas. This is an active developments in the job market. In addition to employment policy with strong job placement benefiting from personalised career guidance, results: 45% of participants find stable employ- innovative job search tools and expert advice ment within six months. to enhance their professional profile, attendees have the opportunity to connect with companies There are several lines of action within the PIC, offering job openings. such as those targeting participants from the city’s most vulnerable neighbourhoods, specif- The 2024 edition attracted 9,000 visitors and ic groups facing inequality or profiles linked to featured the active participation of over 100 strategic city projects, like recent editions of the organisations from the world of work. 32 3. THE ECONOMIC AGENDA LOOKING AFTER PEOPLE Promoting the care sector This initiative takes an integrated and cross-cutting approach that combines economic promotion with social and technological development. Its aim is to define the principles and initiatives needed to boost the care economy in Barcelona, with a particular em- phasis on promoting quality jobs and fostering social and technological innovation. Within this framework, the Care Innovation Hub stands out as a key project, primarily organised around two strategic lines: • Care Hub: a space dedicated to attracting and developing talent in the care sector to improve professional development in this field. Through guidance, training, skills acquisition, accreditation and job placement, this programme aims to equip profes- sionals with new competences aligned with technological and social innovation. • Innovation and Entrepreneurship Line: an open innovation lab in the care sector that includes a living lab, an exhibition space for technologies and the promotion of open innovation through sectoral challenges. Additionally, it provides support to entrepreneurial projects in the care sector to foster their growth and consolidation. BARCELONA IMPULSA 33 SUPPORT FOR LOCAL RETAIL To meet the challenge of preserving and enhancing a retail model rooted in the values of proximity, sustainability and identity while protecting unique, iconic retailers, Barcelo- na will implement a series of initiatives aimed at strengthening its retail network. These ini- tiatives focus on modernising the city’s markets and commercial establishments, support- ing local commerce and carrying out responsible and sustainable consumption initiatives. Boosting local retail The globalisation of the economy has led to the presence of major brands in the world’s main cities, and Barcelona is no exception. For this reason, the City Council will launch initiatives to revitalise local retail in areas where the recovery of local retail businesses is needed. Through promotional campaigns, digitalisation initiatives in retail and support for the creation of new businesses, the City Council will work to ensure the vitality of Barcelona’s local retail network. Promoting activities for the Christmas campaign Barcelona aims to make the city’s Christmas festivities a cultural benchmark for local retail through cultural and musical activities across all its districts. A unique Christmas lighting model with a personalised design will be developed to promote local retail, working in collaboration with shopping hubs, retail associations and the city’s markets. Shopping hubs Shopping hubs play a crucial role in developing policies that promote and support local retail and ensure that initiatives reach individual establishments. As key reference points for local retail, these hubs need strengthening. To achieve this, projects integrating retail, tourism and culture will be developed as the hallmarks of these hubs, with municipal support and 34 3. THE ECONOMIC AGENDA promotion needed to maximise their impact. An analysis will be conducted on the density of shops in different neighbourhoods, particularly in areas affected by long-term construction projects or with retail deficits, to help diagnose their potential and define the necessary revitalisation initiatives in conjunction with the respective district authorities. Improving accessibility in retail establishments Physical measures will be implemented to en- hance the accessibility of shops and restaurants across the city, with a particular focus on peo- ple with mobility challenges and iconic estab- lishments. Efforts will also be made to enhance access to local retailers with innovative online tools to enrich the shopping experience and make it more accessible. These initiatives in- clude installing ramps, lifts and other devices to make it easier to enter the establishments, as well as developing digital platforms that improve virtual accessibility to the goods and services offered by local retailers. Incentives to promote local retail through local purchasing The City Council will launch various initiatives to encourage local consumption across the city in a coordinated manner. These initiatives will spe- cifically target local retailers and will be imple- mented in conjunction with second- and third- tier trade and hospitality sector organisations. These initiatives will also support the sector’s digitalisation, while simultaneously gathering data on retail activity and consumer flows. BARCELONA IMPULSA 35 Modernising Barcelona’s markets Transforming and promoting markets as factors of social cohesion Barcelona’s markets provide citizens with quality products and promote a healthy lifestyle, social cohesion and neighbourhood coordination, while boosting the economy and employ- ment within the framework of local retail. All this contributes to Barcelona’s model as a city of well-being. Markets act as engines of social, economic, urban and sustainable development while also enhancing Barcelona’s residents quality of life. During this term, 50% of municipal markets are set to undergo full or partial renovation. This includes the construction of new markets such as Abaceria, Montserrat, Horta and Estrella, alongside structural improvements to Hostafrancs and Galvany, among others. As a result, half of the city’s markets will undergo a significant transformation. Additionally, the renovation of the Boqueria market will ensure it keeps its role as a municipal market while preserving its uniqueness and maintaining an array of retailers that guarantee its long-term viability. Furthermore, various initiatives will be carried out under the Mercats i Barris [Markets and Neighbourhoods] programme, including events such as Mercat de Mercats [Market of Mar- kets], the Tasta’m [Try Me] food event, the Aules de Cuina cooking classrooms and other activities aimed at boosting the local economy and employment through neighbourhood retail. Modernisation and strategy for that markets continue to serve as key hubs for Barcelona’s markets neighbourhood life and economic vitality. To drive the modernisation of Barcelona’s mar- kets, a stronger unified brand identity will Regulation and management of the be developed, blending traditional values with new local retail model emerging trends to set them apart. Additionally, The existing land-use plans across the city a new strategic plan for the city’s markets will are currently being analysed and monitored be designed. Its development and implementa- to assess the retail balance and update tion will involve shopkeepers’ associations, the studies based on revisions agreed upon with Federation of Municipal Markets of Barcelona important sectors. Additionally, an ongoing (FEMM) and the Advisory Committee to ensure census of retail premises will be kept, to serve 36 3. THE ECONOMIC AGENDA as the foundation of the Barcelona Observatory tics of middle-mile delivery and promote local for Commerce and Restaurants, which will allow sourcing. The Strategic Food Use Plan aims to for trend analysis and provide quality information lower food waste by optimising waste man- for decision-making. Finally, a new byelaw will agement and partnering with the Food Bank. be developed to regulate municipal markets, Finally, the second phase of the Solar Panel alongside adjustments to tax regulations and the Incentive Plan at Mercabarna involves the in- internal operating regulations for the Boqueria stallation of photovoltaic panels as part of the market, in alignment with the Plan for the Future MES Barcelona programme. This initiative aims of the Boqueria. to promote the use of renewable energy at Bar- celona’s wholesale market to contribute to Promoting sustainability in retail environmental sustainability, lower carbon and Mercabarna emissions and foster a more eco-friendly and sustainable environment. Initiatives to promote sustainability at Mercabarna Promoting green retail and Mercabarna is partnering with Barcelona City sustainable food Council and Ecoenergies to spearhead an inno- The Green Commerce programme and the Bar- vative project aimed at utilising the cold gener- celona 2030 Strategy for Healthy and Sustain- ated during the natural gas gasification process able Food (EASSB 2030) work in tandem to at the Port of Barcelona. This project seeks to promote a green economy model and a more enhance energy efficiency, potentially saving up sustainable food system in the city. to 30% on energy bills, while also lowering CO² emissions and promoting environmental sus- The Green Commerce programme focuses tainability. on boosting sustainability in local retailers through direct communication with shop- Furthermore, Mercabarna is implementing new keepers, which includes guidance on the use sustainable models through awareness pro- of organic and local products. Through aware- grammes to reduce waste production and min- ness campaigns, the programme aims to inform imise food waste. These programmes address citizens about the importance of consuming the use of plastic packaging, improve the logis- sustainable products, while improving estab- lishments’ signage to highlight green products. The programme also ensures compliance with established criteria to guarantee the authenticity and quality of the products offered. Operating at the same time, the EASSB 2030 is a tool designed to improve the health of peo- ple, economies and the planet. This strategy is being carried out in conjunction with stakehold- ers from Barcelona’s food system and aims to promote cooperation and project coordination. In this context, the Municipal Action Plan for Sustainable Food 2023/2024, 2025/2027 out- lines the City Council’s initiatives related to sus- tainable food, focusing on building a fairer and more sustainable food model for the entire city. BARCELONA IMPULSA 37 The following initiatives are currently being policies and projects as part of the Strategic carried out under the EASSB 2030 framework: Food Plan for Catalonia 2021-2026, the Barcelona Healthy and Sustainable Food • Promotion and support of sustainable Strategy 2030 and the Food Charter of the food fairs and events: fairs focusing on Metropolitan Region. sustainable food are promoted and sup- ported, such as the annual sustainable food festival Terra i Gust, which highlights KNOWLEDGE TRANSFER the value of sustainable food and the con- The strategic initiatives designed to address sumption of local, organic and seasonal the challenge of knowledge transfer are aimed products. Partnership with the Gastronom- at fostering innovation, improving collabora- ic Forum helps integrate sustainable food tion between the various stakeholders in the criteria into gastronomy, and support is knowledge system and ensuring that the re- provided to participate in Biocultura to pro- sults of research and development translate mote urban food policies and healthy, sus- into tangible benefits for the city’s economy tainable eating. and society. • Support for Terra Pagesa, the exchange Through these initiatives, Barcelona aims to be- centre for locally sourced food: promotion come a hub for innovative projects that strength- of the green economy through collaboration en its socioeconomic network. with Terra Pagesa to connect producers and shopkeepers in order to facilitate access to local and organic products. Strengthening the connection between producers and consumers boosts the local economy and promotes more mindful and responsible consumption, contributing to the develop- ment of a more sustainable and equitable society. • Healthier and More Sustainable School Canteens: this programme focuses on health and sustainability by developing ed- ucational materials, communication and training to promote healthy and sustainable eating habits throughout the educational community. • Launch of the Joint Office for Sustainable Food (OCAS): Barcelona coordinates and participates in working spaces to share strategies, goals and resources designed to transform the food system into a sustainable model. This includes integrating this approach into public 38 3. THE ECONOMIC AGENDA Support Programme for Scientific Infrastructures The Support Programme for Scientific Infrastructures seeks to maintain and strengthen re- search competitiveness nationally and internationally. The aim of this programme is to modern- ise and expand critical infrastructures that support research, while incorporating cutting-edge technologies that facilitate the generation of world-class knowledge. The programme will be organised into three levels: • Modernising infrastructures: ensuring that high-tech laboratories, data facilities and other key infrastructures receive the upgrades needed to meet current and future de- mands of scientific research. • Fostering competitiveness: increasing our research centres’ ability to attract and re- tain quality talent through the features of the local infrastructure. • Effective financial support: implementing a resource allocation system that op- timises the distribution of funding, with an annual endowment, to ensure that in- vestments are strategic and focused on tangible results. These measures will help to bring scientific infrastructures up to the demands of current and future re- search by promoting talent retention and optimising the distribution of funding. Barcelona Deep Tech Programme To complement these initiatives, the Barcelo- Barcelona City Council has developed the Bar- na Deep Tech Summit serves as an annual celona Deep Tech Node via Barcelona Activa meeting point for start-ups, researchers, in- and in conjunction with the main universities vestors and companies. The last edition took based in the city. This strategic alliance bol- place in November 2024, with more than 1,300 sters scientific and technological entrepre- participants and 80 speakers. The event focuses neurship in order to facilitate access to the on thematic areas such as the energy transition, market for start-ups and spin-offs. As a pub- Industry 4.0, health and space technologies. lic-private accelerator, it offers support pro- grammes for the creation and growth of sci- ence- and tech-based start-ups. In 2022, Barcelona City Council and Barcelona Activa also launched the Barcelona Deep Tech Fund, endowed with €10 million to invest in pri- vate national or international (EU) venture cap- ital firms. After the call for applications closed, Barcelona City Council committed €9,500,000 to nine such firms. BARCELONA IMPULSA 39 Knowledge, Research and Innovation Facilities Programme This programme is a key initiative designed to address contemporary urban challenges related to research and innovation with a metropolitan perspective. Innovation hubs are dynamic eco- systems where collaboration among various ac- tors fosters interdisciplinarity, knowledge trans- fer and access to funding. Six focal points for knowledge, research and innovation have been identified in the city of Barcelona: the Ciutadella Knowledge Hub, the Diagonal Health Hub, the also includes measures to promote gender equi- Diagonal-Besòs Campus, the Collserola Health ty in academia by addressing work-life balance Campus, 22@ and La Industrial+. In addition needs. This ensures that responsibilities such as to identifying these hubs, the programme will caring for family members or maternity/paternity support the construction of infrastructures that leave are not obstacles to participating in the call serve the scientific community and knowledge for applications. The City Council is committed transfer. This will include shared laboratories to promoting equitable career development as and unique scientific infrastructure, as well as a means of fostering a more inclusive research accommodation for students and researchers. environment in Barcelona. TALENT GENERATION AND Vocational training DEVELOPMENT Vocational training is a key component of Bar- celona’s economic and social development. Below are the initiatives to be implemented in The city’s model reflects its firm commitment to Barcelona to nurture and develop local talent. providing quality vocational training based on innovation, inclusion and talent creation. The Cross-cutting programmes to programmes available are structured around promote talent strategic occupational sectors to ensure that the training provided is in line with the real needs of Young and Emerging Research businesses and society as a whole. Programme The Young and Emerging Research Programme Furthermore, Barcelona Activa provides training is an initiative designed to promote the careers through an official catalogue of professional cer- of new PhDs and strengthen Barcelona’s sci- tificates and dual vocational training (FPO Dual) entific network. Aimed at new PhD students, across a network of public secondary schools, it offers grants for research projects focused on as well as specialised short courses focusing on urban challenges and local innovation. In ad- sector-specific and language reskilling. These dition to generating ideas and solutions, the technical vocational training courses are provid- programme seeks to connect academic re- ed to over 4,000 people each year. search and its social impact. In doing so, it Marketplaces helps shape public policies grounded in scientif- Barcelona City Council, through Barcelona Acti- ic evidence and facilitates the transfer of knowl- va, promotes recruitment and networking ac- edge to the productive sector. The programme 40 3. THE ECONOMIC AGENDA tivities through online marketplaces that con- nect companies with vacancies and selected professionals. These initiatives link businesses seeking talent with individuals looking for jobs in diverse sectors such as logistics, the green economy and citizen services. Sixty-nine recruitment events were organised in 2024, resulting in 680 successful placements. More women in science Several measures are being implemented to en- courage women’s advancement and recognition in scientific fields. These initiatives range from mentoring programmes and specific schol- arships to gender equality initiatives in re- search. The aim is not only to increase women’s Blue talent promotion presence and participation in science but also to programmes create an inclusive environment that values and recognises their contribution to the city’s sci- Barcelona is working to identify new entific and technological progress. In this way, opportunities for blue jobs through pro- Barcelona reaffirms its commitment to gender grammes that ensure a broad range of equity and research excellence. educational programmes at various lev- els, tailored to the sector’s demand and employment niches. These programmes Sector-specific talent promotion aim to boost Barcelona’s blue economy programmes as a source of economic competitive- ness and quality job creation, with a fo- High-end Gastronomy Promotion cus on sustainability and technology to Programme support the city’s economic and social Through this programme, Barcelona aims to development. promote and encourage high-end gastrono- my as a hallmark of the city, linking it to the municipal market network and the city’s food retailers. The goal is for the city to become a Strategy for the Social and Solidarity leader in sustainability, quality and good prac- Economy 2030 tices for local restaurants, while preserving and This strategy, developed together with the repre- spreading the tradition and innovation of gas- sentative body of the social and solidarity econ- tronomic knowledge and making haute cuisine omy (SSE) in Barcelona, includes various initia- accessible to the general public. tives to promote this economy in the city by the City Council and specialised services offered by Barcelona Activa. The measures include: • Development and implementation of the Plan for Promoting the Social Solidarity Economy 2024-2027 (PIESS 2024-2027): this strategic document is defined and im- BARCELONA IMPULSA 41 plemented to guide municipal initiatives in positions that will soon be retiring and using aimed at strengthening and promoting the training to ensure their generational replacement. social and solidarity economy in the city, with a focus on fostering social inclusion FACILITATING and creating quality jobs. The goal of this plan is to move towards a fairer and more ENTREPRENEURSHIP sustainable economic model for Barcelona. AND ECONOMIC ACTIVITY To further establish Barcelona’s position as a • Generation of ecosystems of spaces for city that encourages entrepreneurship and eco- the social and solidarity economy: this nomic activity, a number of initiatives are being competitive tender is an initiative to revital- implemented to facilitate the creation of new ise SSE hubs in Barcelona. It seeks to en- businesses and support their growth. hance and support projects that promote the SSE by providing opportunities for the The following are the specific measures that will development of collaborative and sustaina- be introduced to achieve this objective and en- ble initiatives. sure that Barcelona becomes a more dynamic, inclusive city that is well prepared to face the • Talent attraction and retention to ensure economic challenges of the future. employment in the SSE: programmes and projects are being implemented to improve working conditions and promote the de- Support programmes for velopment of competitive professionals in entrepreneurship and the sector. A leadership and management economic activity school for SSE organisations is also being set up in collaboration with the university Impulsem el que fas community. This Barcelona Activa grant programme— which translates as ‘We promote what you • Promotion of Bloc4BCN, a cooperative do’—aims to support entrepreneurial pro- space: Bloc4BCN is a public-cooperative jects and local economic activities. Depend- space aimed at promoting and spreading ing on the type of initiative, it can subsidise the cooperativism and the SSE. It houses Eu- launch of new retailers and market stalls (‘Amunt rope’s largest cooperative incubator and persianes’), initiatives under Barcelona’s Strat- provides services for the whole city. It is a egy for Social and Solidarity Economy 2030, significant step towards strengthening the the promotion of quality jobs, the promotion of cooperative business network and promot- ing more inclusive and sustainable eco- nomic models in the city. Vocational School The Vocational School aims to recognise and enhance the training opportunities related to retail, guilds and the labour market in Barcelona. The guilds considered are confectioners, bakers, fishmongers and meat, charcuterie and poultry butchers. The aim is to ensure the fullest coverage of the labour needs of small and medium-sized businesses by identifying people 42 3. THE ECONOMIC AGENDA healthy and sustainable food and responsible Additionally, an IAE rebate is being offered for consumption, support for economic activities in companies that establish innovation centres or high-traffic areas (HTAs) and projects related to start-ups in the city. caregiving. Entrepreneurship programmes for Blue innovation and entrepreneurship new economic sectors programmes Barcelona has launched a series of entrepre- Blue entrepreneurship will be fostered through neurship programmes designed to encourage an annual edition of B-Blue, focused on sup- the creation and growth of businesses in emerg- porting sustainable maritime start-ups guid- ing strategic sectors. These initiatives address ed by city stakeholders such as the Port of Bar- the need to diversify the city’s economy and celona and private companies. This programme drive innovation in key areas for its future devel- includes business model validation, training, opment. Below are some of the most prominent networking and comprehensive services provid- programmes: ed by Barcelona Activa (such as financing and • Creamedia: this programme for the crea- talent). tive and cultural industries is designed to Additionally, blue innovation is being advanced transform new initiatives into viable busi- through support and leadership in both inter- nesses. It targets sectors such as the visual nal innovation projects (such as Connectio) arts, design, advertising and the cultural in- and external initiatives, as well as through the dustry, including film, video games and new KIC candidacy on maritime sectors and ecosys- technologies. tems, led by the Universitat Politècnica de Cata- • B-STEP: this programme aims to sup- lunya (UPC). These initiatives aim to revitalise port entrepreneurship in the sports sector the local and international blue economy eco- through the creation, incubation and ac- system. celeration of innovative start-ups. Select- Incentives for innovative and ed projects receive training, mentoring and high-skill companies access to a network of contacts to foster In order to boost Barcelona’s economic develop- talent and growth opportunities. ment, it is essential to revise the tax rules in order to provide tax incentives for high value-added companies. These adjustments should promote investment and innovation, thus attracting com- panies that create high-skill jobs and contribute to the city’s sustainable development. Barcelona is sharpening its global competitive- ness with a new tax byelaw to incentivise re- search and technology transfer. This proposal offers tax deductions for R&D companies with the goal of fostering the business network and attracting talent. The measures include maintaining the 95% tax deduction on property taxes (IBI) for research centres and universities, as well as economic activity tax (IAE) rebates for investments in fixed assets and job creation. BARCELONA IMPULSA 43 • ProgramESS: this is a tailored package of Goals include promoting the diversity of social and solidarity economy programmes legal forms within the SSE and fostering designed to strengthen SSE businesses hybrid spaces that combine the SSE and and enterprises across different sectors or business with social impact. These services groups: ‘Construïm en femení’ and ‘Camí and programmes include training, support de solidesa’ for projects led by women; and advice, incubation, sector-specific co- ‘RevESStim el tèxtil’ for sustainable fash- ordination, outreach and vocational promo- ion projects; ‘Reimaginem’ to redirect es- tion. tablished social and solidarity economy • Programmes to strengthen and promote businesses; and ‘Impulsem les cures’ to retail associations: The retail sector re- strengthen care projects within the social quires programmes to strengthen its as- and solidarity economy. sociations by addressing both geographic • B-Blue: The annual B-Blue programme and sectoral needs. These programmes focuses on supporting sustainable maritime must be stable and sustainable over time, start-ups. This programme includes and should be planned in close coordina- business model validation, training, tion with the sector to ensure their efficiency networking and comprehensive services and effectiveness during implementation. provided by Barcelona Activa (such as financing and talent). • Socioeconomic innovation support ser- vices by Barcelona Activa: this is a pack- age of services and programmes to support the SSE, cooperativism and socioeconom- ic innovation offered by Barcelona Activa. It provides specific services to cooperatives, associations, third-sector organisations and businesses committed to environmen- tal, social and good governance impact. 44 3. THE ECONOMIC AGENDA STRATEGIC AUTONOMY Deployment of the Barcelona To address the challenge of technological sover- Innovation Coast (BIC) eignty, Barcelona has designed a set of strategic To boost its productivity, the city has embraced initiatives to consolidate its position as a leader science and technology as key drivers of a in the development of key technologies. new model—one that fosters a more compet- itive, forward-looking city with a diversified These initiatives are based on collaboration economy. among the public sector, private sector and ac- ademic institutions, with the goal of fostering in- With this aim in mind, the Barcelona Innovation novation and research in strategic areas such as Coast (BIC) was born: a public-private platform semiconductors, quantum communication and that brings together the city’s leading innova- artificial intelligence. tion players, including universities and business schools, research and knowledge transfer cen- Barcelona focuses on enhancing areas where it tres, business associations, clusters, funding can exert an influence and make a real difference. bodies and public institutions. BIC aims to place With this vision in mind, the proposed measures innovation at the heart of the city’s development aim to reduce external dependency in strategic strategy and position Barcelona as a leading Eu- technology sectors, strengthen local production ropean hub for science and research. By driving capacity for key technologies and encourage knowledge transfer between the scientific eco- the adoption of emerging technologies. system and the business sector, it serves as a key engine of economic growth for the city. In this context, BIC will prioritise work in the Barcelona Investment Fund following areas over the coming period: Bio- Health, artificial intelligence, quantum tech- This initiative aims to inject €30 million nologies, chip design and cybersecurity. to launch new calls for the selection of venture capital firms to invest in start- These areas will be addressed through Con- ups and growing companies in the city’s nectio, an open innovation platform aimed at strategic sectors. By investing in private connecting start-ups, small and medium-sized venture capital funds, it aims to stimu- enterprises (SMEs) and large corporations with late the growth of Barcelona’s business network, increase innovation and com- petitiveness in key sectors of the local economy, and thereby solidify the city’s position as a national and international hub for entrepreneurship and business development. BARCELONA IMPULSA 45 specific innovation opportunities and offering solutions to social, environmental and economic Barcelona Investment Office challenges. The Barcelona Investment Office will be Promoting a semiconductor industry an investment attraction service for Bar- roll-out strategy in Barcelona celona, seeking opportunities for com- Thanks to the Barcelona Supercomputing panies to grow or relocate to the city, Center (BSC), Barcelona has become a leading thereby boosting the local job market. city in semiconductor design. Companies Through a public-private initiative, the such as Openchip, driven by the BSC, as well goal is to have a 360° approach to at- as Cisco and Intel, have chosen to set up chip tracting companies, including recruit- design centres in the city. Additionally, Innofab, ment, support, settling in and ultimately in partnership with IC2N, aims to become the ensuring their integration with welcome first clean room dedicated to semiconductor services. deployment. This situation is exceptional, but it is essential to continue moving in this direction. Barcelona and POSITIONING THE CITY AND its surrounding area must focus on the roll-out of GLOBAL CONNECTIVITY a new knowledge-based industry, where semi- The following measures and initiatives will be conductors are designed near research centres implemented to strengthen Barcelona’s global and manufactured locally. This strategy will not positioning and improve its connectivity with the only strengthen the city’s tech sovereignty but world. will also contribute to its economic and industri- al development. These initiatives aim to promote the city as a global business destination by attracting Quantum communication investment, economic activity and talent that Quantum communication is a strategic oppor- will reinforce a more equitable, sustainable and tunity for Barcelona, as it is becoming an es- competitive city model. sential underpinning for the robustness of cy- bersecurity in Europe. Working with the Institute of Photonic Sciences (ICFO), the city has the potential to become the first quantum bubble, ensuring 100% secure communications. 46 3. THE ECONOMIC AGENDA Expansion of Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport plays a crucial role in the city’s international eco- nomic promotion. Its importance goes beyond tourism; it is also key in business, investment, science and entrepreneurship. Barcelona’s status as a global city is intrinsically linked to hav- ing an airport that is well connected to the world’s major economic hubs. The airport has maintained its competitiveness in recent years. Between 2000 and 2019, the airport’s passenger traffic grew 2.7 times, increasing from 19.5 to 52.7 million, surpassing the usual historical trend in the sector, which typically sees global air traffic doubling every 20 years. In 2024, the airport exceeded 55 million passengers, reaching its operational capacity. However, there is still room for growth through operational optimisations and the promotion of lower-demand time slots. Barcelona’s airport is currently a leading gateway for direct flights and holds the top position for this segment in Europe. Thanks to this and to the efforts of the Barcelona Air Routes Development Committee (CDRA), there are now over 58 intercontinental routes to and from Barcelona. This combination of direct and intercontinental flights gives Barcelona the potential to become a hub-and-spoke airport. Under this model, connections between airports are optimised by concentrating traffic in high-capacity terminals and then connecting to smaller airports. The airport, which will include a new satellite terminal and an extended runway, is essential to increase the number of intercontinental routes available and improve passenger connections. Without this expansion, the ability to increase intercontinental routes will be limited, which would weaken Barcelona’s capacity to attract multinational companies looking to establish decision-making and production centres in the city and hire local talent. BARCELONA IMPULSA 47 International positioning and • Hypatia European Science Prize: promotion of Barcelona as a Barcelona City Council, in conjunction global benchmark with Academia Europaea, has created the Hypatia European Science Prize Scientific diplomacy and promotion to recognise the scientific careers of Barcelona advocates a scientific diplomacy outstanding international researchers doing strategy that aims to position the city as an in- work that impacts society. This award ternational leader in innovation, research and celebrates excellence in scientific research knowledge. Through lobbying policies, efforts and further consolidates Barcelona as a are made to attract funding and unique infra- leading scientific city in Europe. structures, as well as strategic companies that help boost science and technology in the city. Simultaneously, international promotion International promotion of strategic campaigns are conducted to attract scientific sectors conferences and events and thus reinforce Bar- Barcelona is implementing an internation- celona’s image as a city of knowledge. al promotion strategy, targeting segments and markets that match the city’s motivations and • Spain’s scientific capital: both nationally interests. The aim is to attract visitors who ap- and internationally, Barcelona is solidify- preciate Barcelona’s cultural, gastronomic and ing its position as a centre of scientific ex- leisure offer, while contributing to the local econ- cellence. Barcelona City Council and the omy. Digital tools are also leveraged to enhance Spanish government have joined forces the visitor experience and extend their stay, gen- to increase institutional support and fund- erating both economic and social returns. ing for scientific research in the city and to promote high-impact projects that address • European Capital of Local Retail: with the current social and urban challenges by en- creation of this programme, Barcelona is couraging innovation and collaboration be- vying to become one of the host cities for tween the public and private sectors. events and initiatives promoting digitalisa- tion, sustainability and technological inno- • City and Science Biennial: the Biennial vation in local retail. has become a key event in the city, con- necting citizens with scientific knowledge. It • International campaigns in major global fosters debate on current challenges; facil- media outlets: Barcelona will conduct itates collaboration among scientists, busi- international promotional campaigns in nesses and institutions; promotes scientific the most prominent media outlets in key dissemination; and enhances Barcelona’s markets to strengthen the city’s positioning. image as an innovation hub. These campaigns aim to increase the 48 3. THE ECONOMIC AGENDA global visibility of the Barcelona brand nificant cultural gatherings on the continent and enhance its appeal as a business and and will help boost Barcelona’s cultural and cultural destination. economic standing both in Latin America and among large emerging Hispanic sec- • Presence at economic fairs in Barcelo- tors in the United States. na: As part of a key strategy to increase the visibility and recognition of the Barcelona • World Capital of Architecture (2026): Bar- brand internationally, the city will have an celona will be the World Capital of Architec- active presence with its own stand at the ture in 2026, a prestigious event with activi- most important trade fairs held in the city, ties across all districts that aim to shape the such as ISE, MWC and Smart City. Partic- future and involve local institutions and cit- ipation in events such as Alimentaria and izens. During the summer, the city will host Automobile Barcelona will also be consid- the Congress of the International Union of ered on the basis of their impact and value. Architects, three decades after hosting the These fairs facilitate commercial network- 19th edition in 1996. The event is expected ing, showcase innovative products and to leave a lasting legacy in the city. services, keep the city abreast of the lat- est trends in each sector and contribute to business growth and expansion. • Presence at international economic fairs: the city will participate in leading in- ternational fairs in strategic sectors, such as Web Summit (entrepreneurship), MIP- IM (investment in urban projects), MWC Shanghai (technology) and SEMICON West (semiconductors), in conjunction with key players from Barcelona’s institutional and business ecosystem. • Osaka World Expo: a Catalonia Week will be held as part of the Osaka World Expo, with Barcelona taking part in international economic promotion activities both with- in the expo itself and beyond, with sec- tor-specific events and meetings in Kobe and Tokyo. • Guadalajara International Book Fair (Mexico): Barcelona will be the guest of honour at the 2025 Guadalajara Interna- tional Book Fair (FIL), the most important cultural event in Latin America, which has been held since 1987. The fair brings to- gether 3,000 activities and 750 authors from 50 countries. It is one of the most sig- BARCELONA IMPULSA 49 Deployment and assessment of the tems Europe (ISE) and the attraction of sporting New CDRA Strategic Plan events, the goal is not only to boost economic Nearly two years after the implementation of activity, but also to enhance Barcelona’s glob- the Air Routes Development Committee (CDRA) al positioning as a key destination for major Strategic Plan 2024-2025, it is time to enter the events. final phase and assessment, an essential step before developing a new strategic plan. Efforts have been focused on restoring the last remain- Promoting international talent in ing intercontinental connections after the COV- Barcelona ID-19 pandemic and opening new strategic mar- Promotion and retention of kets, as well as increasing flight frequencies and international talent lowering seasonality. Initiatives to promote Barcelona as an at- It is now essential to define a future strategy that tractive city for international talent will be fits the reality of the airport, with more targeted carried out through webinars and partnerships objectives aimed at strengthening connections with agents such as the international chapters of with destinations in line with Barcelona’s strate- Barcelona’s business schools and major recruit- gic economic sectors. ing companies, including the tech centres in the city. Additionally, the Cities for Talent network Attraction and securing international will be enhanced to facilitate the exchange of events with a high impact for the city best practices among cities that are leading the By promoting high-impact events, Barcelona way in attracting and retaining international tal- aims to attract initiatives that are consistent ent. These initiatives will increase Barcelona’s with its model and strategic objectives, in or- visibility as a talent destination while foster- der to strengthen the Meetings, Incentives, Con- ing collaboration and mutual learning among ferences and Exhibitions (MICE) sector and its various actors and cities on an international international legacy. This involves fostering col- scale. laboration with international partners to sched- ule a line-up of events that increases economic Meetings will also be held with executives opportunities and attracts international confer- from foreign companies and entrepreneurs ences. With the consolidation of Integrated Sys- or business owners from other countries to 50 3. THE ECONOMIC AGENDA exchange views and address the challenges turing an exhibition fair and a wide range of of retaining talent. The Goodwill Ambassadors, activities. New initiatives will be created for this Glocals and Barcelona Allies programmes will event to connect newcomers with the city. Addi- be established to create a group of internation- tionally, activities aimed at fostering loyalty and als who will engage and work with the city to integration within the international communi- promote Barcelona as a talent hub. Loyalty ini- ty will be held throughout the year, including tiatives will also be carried out with local tech workshops, seminars and B2B meetings which centres to strengthen the ecosystem and so- will allow participants to connect with locals and lidify their commitment to the region, thereby unlock their full personal and professional po- enhancing talent development and retention in tential. Barcelona. Creation and roll-out of international talent integration and promotion programmes Barcelona is the only city in Spain and one of the few in southern Europe that has the resourc- es to welcome and ease the arrival of foreign professionals required by local companies and organisations, particularly in the STEAM fields. The Barcelona International Welcome website provides practical information and re- sources for individuals relocating to the city, while the Welcome Desk service offers person- alised assistance, support with essential admin- istrative procedures upon arrival and advice on matters such as taxation, immigration and the job market. To foster the integration of international talent, the City Council holds the Barcelona Interna- tional Community Day, a major annual event for Barcelona’s international community fea- BARCELONA IMPULSA 51 Promoting and advancing the Digitalisation Plan for the Social and Solidarity Economy The Digitalisation Plan for the Social and Solidar- ity Economy (SSE) aims to promote basic digi- talisation across all SSE sectors, support SSE projects with tech business models and foster the growth of a tech supply sector within Barcelona’s SSE. These objectives will be im- plemented primarily through Barcelona Activa’s specialised SSE services, in collaboration with DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION universities and other stakeholders to generate Below are the measures and initiatives—both knowledge. This plan includes specific grants for ongoing and planned—related to the challenge digitalisation projects within SSE organisations, of digital transformation in Barcelona. awareness sessions on digitalisation and sup- port for the TechBloc4 pilot programme of the By taking a comprehensive approach, Barcelo- Confederation of Cooperatives of Catalonia and na aims to modernise its infrastructure and ser- Barcelona Activa’s DigiSAESS to develop digital vices and prepare its population for an increas- technologies tailored to SSE. ingly digital future. Digitally transforming Barcelona’s Digitalising economic sectors markets The digital transformation project for Barcelo- Driving digitalisation in na’s markets continues with the implementa- the visitor economy tion of the Municipal Markets Digitalisation Plan, The core aim is to digitalise the tourism econ- which aims to modernise and optimise inter- omy through a series of comprehensive strate- nal management while enhancing services gies. First, a grant programme will be launched provided to retailers and customers. A mar- to support the digitalisation of the private tour- ket web platform is being launched, and digital ism sector, aiming to encourage business asso- communication is being adapted to align with ciations to take the lead in optimising resource the objectives of the market network’s com- coordination and avoid the fragmentation of munication and branding plan. financial aid. Close cooperation between the Additionally, integrated refrigerated lockers are public and private sectors will be fostered, with being rolled out, new back-office programmes an emphasis on key areas such as promotion, for internal management are being introduced marketing and tourism management. There are and a digital image repository has been creat- also plans to digitalise tourism promotion and ed. A network of sensors to monitor the equip- management in Barcelona through an agree- ment and facilities in the markets is also being ment with the Tourism Board, integrating a installed. broad perspective of the visitor journey and pro- moting innovative technologies, such as work- Digitalising Mercabarna ing with the Ciutat Vella district to analyse tourist Mercabarna is undergoing significant digitalisa- flows. tion with several key projects. These include the implementation of smart containers to improve waste management, the launch of a web plat- 52 3. THE ECONOMIC AGENDA form for international wholesalers in collabora- Programmes to promote digital tion with T-Systems and the introduction of a transformation tracking system to ensure product traceability at access points. These initiatives aim to optimise Technology training programmes operations, improve the market’s efficiency Barcelona City Council, through Barcelona Ac- and competitiveness and promote more sus- tiva, has a long history of promoting technol- tainable and technologically advanced pro- ogy training initiatives such as Cibernàrium, duce-handling practices. IT Academy and 42Barcelona. These pro- grammes aim to enhance citizens’ digital Promoting and supporting digital skills, improve their autonomy in the digital transformation initiatives environment and foster their personal and Barcelona City Council, through Barcelona Ac- professional growth. Additionally, they help to tiva, provides extensive digital transformation sharpen business competitiveness in the digital support for businesses, self-employed work- sector. ers and city residents in general. Through Specialised training courses are regularly offered its digitalisation service for SMEs and self-em- to meet the demands of the current job market, ployed workers, it offers advice and assistance covering topics such as programming, artificial with the application process for the Digital Kit, intelligence, cybersecurity and other key areas. an initiative designed to promote the implemen- These programmes are designed for both young tation of digital solutions that enhance business- people and professionals looking to develop es’ technological maturity. their careers in high-growth tech sectors. Barcelona STEAM Plan This plan, led by Barcelona Activa in conjunc- tion with the Barcelona Education Consortium, aims to ensure equal opportunities in science, technology, engineering, arts and mathemat- ics. The result of a public-private collaboration, the plan brings together experts to implement education and training initiatives. It aims to fos- ter digital talent and equity, empower teach- ers in scientific and technological method- ologies and break gender stereotypes, all to transform Barcelona’s educational and profes- sional ecosystem. In the long term, it hopes to increase participation in STEAM fields, diversify talent and lower gender inequalities. By doing so, Barcelona aspires to become a benchmark in STEAM innovation and education, ensuring that citizens are prepared for the challenges of an ever-changing, tech-driven world. BARCELONA IMPULSA 53 Accessible and open public administration Barcelona is implementing measures to simplify administrative procedures related to business- es and set up support channels to facilitate this process. This initiative is part of the Easy Bar- celona Plan launched in June 2021, which aims to make it easier for city residents, associations, self-employed workers, entrepreneurs and busi- nesses to interact with Barcelona City Council when launching and conducting economic activi- ties in the city. The plan includes 27 initiatives organised into six lines of action: providing accessible information, streamlining the creation of economic activity, promoting business-friendly regulations, ensuring GREENING BUSINESSES consistency in activity establishment criteria, ex- The greening of companies is one of the key panding the range of services for businesses, and challenges to ensure the long-term sustainability facilitating connections between companies and of Barcelona’s economic network. This process talent. requires companies to adopt more environ- Of note is Barcelona’s integrated employment ser- mentally friendly practices, lower their car- vice, which works to connect available talent with bon emissions, optimise natural resources the needs of the local business network. and integrate circularity into their production models. Participation and support in In a global context where environmental sustain- innovation events ability is a crucial factor for competitiveness, the ability of businesses to adapt to this new reality Barcelona has become a global tech and digital hub is essential for their long-term success and the thanks to its involvement in key industry events. city’s overall well-being. The City Council, through Barcelona Activa and other organisations, partners with and supports To tackle the challenge of the green transition, major events that drive innovation, entrepre- Barcelona aims to implement initiatives that neurship and digital transformation in the city. significantly contribute to this process. These These events include the Mobile World Congress measures address cross-cutting issues such as (MWC), 4YFN, Talent Arena, IoT Solutions World digitalisation, innovation and sustainability by Congress, TechSpirit Barcelona, ISE, DeepTech either directly or indirectly fostering the develop- Summit, the Digital Skills Congress, Smart City ment of a green economy. Expo World Congress (SCEWC), BioEurope and Below are some of the initiatives that will help to Advanced Factories. drive a greener and more sustainable economic model for the city. 54 3. THE ECONOMIC AGENDA Improving the competitiveness of the Economic activity hubs as retail, markets and restaurant sector green transition tools Sustainability initiatives in Mercabarna are improving energy efficiency and lowering emis- Two new economic activity hubs are be- sions through projects that optimise cold stor- ing set up: the Circular Hub, focused on age and harness photovoltaic panels. Efforts are innovation and the circular economy, in also being made to reduce food waste and en- collaboration with Mondragón University courage the use of sustainable products. and Team Labs Barcelona, and the Ur- ban Tech Hub, promoted by IAAC, Bar- celona Tech City and COAC, to connect new technologies with urban planning, architecture, mobility and energy. These two hubs will serve as innovation spac- es, providing business solutions that support the greening of the economy across industries. Improving the sustainability of Barcelona’s tourism offer The Barcelona Commitment to Sustainable Tourism, promoted by Barcelona City Council, the Barcelona Chamber of Commerce, Barcelo- na Provincial Council and the Barcelona Tourism Board, aims to spread a culture of sustainable tourism among the city’s tourism service busi- The Green Commerce Programme and the nesses. This commitment recognises sustaina- Barcelona 2030 Healthy and Sustainable Food ble management best practices and requires Strategy (EASSB 2030) promote a sustainable compliance with criteria aligned with the 17 food model, support the consumption of organic Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of and locally sourced products and contribute to a the UN’s 2030 Agenda. greener economy. Businesses that meet these criteria can earn the Sustainability is also being encouraged in Bar- Biosphere certificate issued by the Responsi- celona’s restaurant sector through the Pioners ble Tourism Institute. Barcelona City Council ful- training courses and the creation of a network of ly subsidises the certification process for local establishments committed to sustainable prac- businesses. In 2023, responsible management tices. was recognised in 487 tourism operators in In addition, Barcelona is reinforcing its commit- the city and 555 in the wider Barcelona region, ment to electric vehicles. Thanks to SEAT, the bringing the total number of certified entities in city and its surrounding region are transform- Destination Barcelona to 1,043. ing automotive production lines to manufacture electric vehicles. This transition is set to contin- ue, with Barcelona City Council supporting the sector to ensure that investments materialise and electric vehicles are widely adopted. BARCELONA IMPULSA 55 TOURISM MANAGEMENT In order to move towards a mindful and balanced tourism model, it is essential to implement a series of measures that preserve the quality of life for residents, promote an authentic and sustainable experience for visitors, and ensure the protection of the city’s cul- tural and environmental heritage. The measures outlined below aim to minimise the negative im- pacts of mass tourism and foster harmonious coexistence between tourists and local residents, while promoting tour- ism that values the uniqueness of Barcelona. Instruments for regulating tourism The new tourist tax Using the city means contributing to its upkeep. In this regard, various taxes have been established to finance the resources required to keep the city clean, organised and safe. Tourist taxes must follow this same approach. The in- troduction and increase of the tourist tax and its surcharge have made it possible to increase public services without having to increase other types of taxes. It is now essential to further adjust this tourist tax, taking into account that the measures in Barcelona should differ from those applied in the rest of Catalonia. This new tax- ation should distinguish between high and low seasons and exceed the current limits on both the surcharge and the tax itself. The aim is to create a new fiscal framework that will strengthen the Tourism Social Return Fund to fi- nance projects such as the School Climate Plan, manage high-traffic areas and regulate short-term tourist accom- modation. 56 3. THE ECONOMIC AGENDA Planning and regulating tourist as big data analysis and carbon footprint as- accommodations sessment. These efforts will be complemented by The future implementation of the Decree-Law on reports and infographics to yield a better under- the Urban Planning Regime for Tourist Flats and standing of tourism activity in Barcelona. the review of the current Special Urban Devel- opment Plan for Regulating Tourist-accommo- Review of economic and compensation dation Establishments (PEUAT) are the key fo- measures cal points that require a review and application As part of the visitor economy, a review will be of the tourist accommodation model. It is also conducted of the associated fiscal measures, essential to continue efforts to combat illegal particularly those related to mobility, accommo- accommodation through municipal inspections. dation and cruise ship activity, which can gen- Actively participating in and promoting the erate significant externalities. Strategic projects regulation of tourist accommodation is cru- with high social returns, such as the School cial to ensure the sustainable and balanced Climate Plan, will also be defined and funded development of the sector, while preserving through the Tourism Social Return Fund. There are local residents’ quality of life and enhancing also plans to increase surcharges for short-stay visitors’ experiences. cruise ship activity and tourist flats (HUTs), as well as to review fees for coach parking. The additional Improving knowledge of the visitor tax revenue generated will be allocated to citizen economy compensation programmes. In order to prioritise the management of the vis- itor economy by diversifying and decentralising Sustainability and development of it across different areas of the city, efforts will tourism offerings be made to improve our understanding of its dynamics. This includes conducting in-depth Creation of new tourism options under studies on the profile and behaviour of visitors the Sustainable Tourism Plan in different parts of the city. Surveys will be con- To ensure the city’s position as a leader in ducted on visitors’ profiles and habits, as well sustainable urban tourism, the Sustainable Tourism as on locals’ perceptions of tourism activity. Plan for Destination Barcelona (PSTDB) has been Moreover, studies on the economic, environ- developed, financed through Next Generation mental and social impacts of tourism will be funds. This plan lays the foundations for a drawn up using advanced techniques such more balanced and environmentally respectful BARCELONA IMPULSA 57 approach to tourism management, while Mobility and management of public promoting innovative initiatives to enhance the spaces visitor experience and support local economic development. Improving the management of tourist mobility The goal of the PSTDB is to promote the des- The system regulating discretionary parking tination’s economic recovery and resilience and tourist bus stops will be upgraded. The through decentralisation, innovative ap- new system, Zona Bus 4.0, aims to improve proaches, and new shared cultural narratives the management of authorised stop areas around tourism—all aimed at ensuring tourism’s near tourist hotspots and coach parking social return and the long-term sustainability of zones through digitalisation and connectivity. the sector. Barcelona Nord will become the city’s main The plan covers a wide geographic scope, with hub for tourist coaches, in line with the Tourist special attention on key areas such as Besòs, Mobility Plan and the Station Master Plan, to the seafront and Montjuïc, recognising their po- address current mobility issues and future tential and significance for the city’s urban and challenges in this area. tourism development. In this regard, the impor- tance of expanding tourism offerings to achieve urban rebalancing has been recognised, with an awareness of the need to create new points of interest that decentralise tourism and contribute to a more equitable and sustainable distribution. 58 3. THE ECONOMIC AGENDA Managing public spaces and high- oration with the local community to address traffic areas cleanliness and maintenance issues. The land- High-traffic areas (HTAs) are the parts of the city use plan will be reviewed, tourist groups will be where tourism activity is most concentrated. An regulated and the geographical decentralisation action plan will be developed to manage these of tourism will be promoted. Additionally, coor- spaces through cross-cutting, multi-sector ur- dination with Barcelona Provincial Council will ban policies with the goal of creating differentiat- continue to drive the Barcelona és molt més ed strategies based on each area’s characteris- [Barcelona is so much more] programme. tics, needs and potential. Specific management measures will be implemented for HTAs, with a particular focus on priority areas such as Sagra- da Família, Park Güell and La Rambla. An analy- sis of these spaces will be conducted, followed by the implementation of an action plan. The Endreça Plan will continue, maintaining collab- BARCELONA IMPULSA 59 4 GOVERNANCE OF THE PLAN 60 The challenges set out in this plan are addressed to a wide range of stakeholders in the city and highlight the need for constant exchange, review and evaluation of the sectors and actions to be implemented in the greater Barcelona area, especially given their strategic, cross-cutting nature. For all these reasons, a more holistic monitoring model is proposed, consisting of interdependent stakeholders contributing to a more open, network-based management model. Cooperation and alliances with political, economic and social stakeholders throughout the process are essential to ensure that the ongoing cycle of analysis, planning and evaluation of a large num- ber of initiatives and measures is properly managed. For this reason, the plan proposes a multiple governance model with the main economic players in the territory. The scope and composition of this monitoring, analysis and evaluation structure will have three distinct levels: • Economic and diversification monitor- • International promotion and position- ing: a new Barcelona Impulsa plan Moni- ing: International Coordination Board toring Council will be set up with represent- • ABOQ: different spaces of governance atives of social and economic stakeholders and staff from the sectoral monitoring are- • Internal governance models: cross-cut- as. ting working groups, made up of munici- pal departments and directorates, that will • Multi-sectoral monitoring: the main areas promote and actively manage the initiatives and sectors of action already have an asso- and actions of this strategic plan, and fol- ciated strategic plan or government meas- low up on the objectives and action plans ure (they are described in this document in derived from it. They will also be respon- the ‘Plan of plans’ section) and a valid gov- sible for reviewing improvements and iter- ernance and monitoring model. They are: ations identified through economic and di- • Tourism: City and Tourism Council versification monitoring, as well as sectoral follow-up, and applying them accordingly. • Science and innovation: Barcelona Innovation Coast Council The proposed governance models offer an op- portunity to mobilise the shared responsibility • Retail, restaurants and consumption: of key stakeholders with the capacity to drive Retail Council change, with the aim of building a more diversi- • The blue economy: Blue Economy fied and competitive economy, based on knowl- Board edge and efficient practices that promote the inclusion of citizens and quality employment. • Social and solidarity economy: ESS- BCN2030 Assembly and the Strategy’s Steering Group BARCELONA IMPULSA 61 5 IMPACT 62 The urban transformations that are currently taking place in the city and its surrounding metropolitan area will create new economic activity areas that are significant not only in terms of their size, but also in terms of the importance of the activities that they will host. In order to assess the potential impact of these areas of activity, an estimate has been made of the direct jobs created by the new economic areas to be developed over the next ten years, up to 2035. This estimate takes into account the approved general plans as well as the transfor- mation areas already under way, with the approxi- mate areas designated for activity. For each of these areas, a ratio of jobs per square metre has been applied according to the type of activity, based on the following ratios: 20 m² for general activities and offices; 35 m² for research, education and catering activities; 40 m² for retail activities; 80 m² for hotel and conference activities; and 150 m² for logistics. These estimates result in a total of 180,000 new stable jobs in the metropol- itan area. This means an additional 1,800,000 m² of space for economic activity in the city of Barce- lona and its metropolitan area compared to 2021. BARCELONA IMPULSA 63 6 BUDGET 64 The Barcelona Impulsa plan aims to reactivate and position Barcelona’s economy as a leader in Europe and the world, with a target year of 2035. To achieve this, it is essential that the City Coun- cil allocates public resources to finance the ini- tiatives that make up this strategy. Specifically, Barcelona City Council plans to allocate a total of €890 million to this plan be- tween 2024 and 2027. In addition, the Government of Catalonia has ear- marked €4.7 billion for public transport and invest- ments related to the expansion of the airport. The two Catalan government investments and the air- port expansion do not have a specific timetable. Summary of the total 2024 €246,265,663.40 2025 €215,153,170.32 2026 €211,638,850.41 2027 €216,759,247.98 2024-2027 €889,816,932.12 BARCELONA IMPULSA 65 7 ANNEXES 66 BARCELONA IMPULSA 67 ANNEXE 1. MACROECONOMIC FIGURES ON THE CITY OF BARCELONA Understanding Barcelona’s current position and evolution in recent years, as well as its short- and long-term future projections, is essential in the city’s strategic formulation and economic planning process for the coming decade. These indicators provide a broad overview of Barcelona’s current state and can serve as a guide to identify the key areas on which City Council should focus when taking the next steps towards shared progress. Graph Barcelona GDP Trend in GDP by geographic areas Year-on-year quarterly variation. 2016-Q3 2024 (%) 20 18 15 13 10 8 3.9 5 3.5 3 0 1.0 -3 -5 -8 -10 -13 -15 -18 -20 -23 -25 Catalonia Spain EU-27 Barcelona Source: Barcelona City Council’s Municipal Data Office, Idescat and Eurostat. In the third quarter of 2024, Barcelona’s econ- The sector with the highest increase in activity omy continued to rise, with year-on-year was services (3.9%)—the main driver of Barce- GDP growth of 3.5%, similar to Spain (3.5%) lona’s economy. Within services, the financial, and markedly higher than the European Union real estate, professional and technical sectors (+1.0%). In 2024, activity accelerated compared stood out (5.8%), as well as retail trade, trans- to the previous year, so that Barcelona’s GDP port, hotels and restaurants, and information has experienced three years of higher year- and communication (4.3%), while industry and on-year growth than the Eurozone and is construction also showed positive but more now 8.9% higher in real terms than before the moderate growth (2.9% and 1.9% respectively). pandemic. 68 7. ANNEXES Q1 2016 Q2 2016 Q3 2016 Q4 2016 Q1 2017 Q2 2017 Q3 2017 Q4 2017 Q1 2018 Q2 2018 Q3 2018 Q4 2018 Q1 2019 Q2 201 Q 9 3 2019 Q4 2019 Q1 202 Q 0 2 2020 Q3 2020 Q4 2020 Q1 2021 Q2 2021 Q3 2021 Q4 2021 Q1 2022 Q2 2022 Q3 2022 Q4 2022 Q1 2023 Q2 2023 Q3 2023 Q4 2023 Q1 2024 Q2 2024 Q3 2024 Q4 2024 Graph of CPI Year-on-year variation in CPI by geographical area January 2019 to December 2024 (%) 12,0 10,0 8,0 6,0 4,0 2,0 0,0 -2,0 Barcelona (province) Catalonia Spain Source: INE. With regard to prices, after remaining above 3% The components with the best year-on-year per- in the first half of the year and falling slightly in formance in the province were communications, the third quarter, inflation picked up again in the where prices remained stable, clothing and foot- fourth quarter, and in December 2024 the CPI wear (0.5%) and transport (0.6%), while rising variation rate in the province of Barcelona was prices were seen in housing, water, electricity, 3.0%, a rate similar to that of Catalonia (2.9%) gas and other (6.9%), alcoholic beverages and and Spain (2.8%). In the same month, underly- tobacco (4.7%), restaurants and hotels (4.0%) ing inflation in Catalonia reached 2.7%, the sec- and recreation and culture (3.8%). ond lowest rate since January 2022. With this trend, average annual inflation in the province of Barcelona was 2.9% in 2024, below 3% for the first time since 2021. Graph on Social Security registration Trend in Social Security registration* 2018-2024 1,250,000 1,238,324 1,200,000 1,150,000 1,119,743 1,132,536 1,100,000 1,050,000 1,000,000 950,000 900,000 850,000 800,000 750,000 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 * All schemes. Note: The figures come from the last day of December every year. Source: Compiled by the Department of Studies at Barcelona City Council’s Management Office for the Economy and Economic Promotion, based on data from the Social Security Office and the Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration. BARCELONA IMPULSA 69 Jan-19 Feb-19 Mar-19 Apr-19 May-19 Jun-19 Jul-19 Aug-19 Sept-19 Oct-19 Nov-19 Dec-19 Jan-20 Feb-20 Mar-20 Apr-20 May-20 Jun-20 Jul-20 Aug-20 Sept-20 Oct-20 Nov-20 Dec-20 Jan-21 Feb-21 Mar-21 Apr-21 May-21 Jun-21 Jul-21 Aug-21 Sept-21 Oct-21 Nov-21 Dec-21 Jan-22 Feb-22 Mar-22 Apr-22 May-22 Jun-22 Jul-22 Aug-22 Sept-22 Oct-22 Nov-22 Dec-22 Jan-23 Feb-23 Mar-23 Apr-23 May-23 Jun-23 Jul-23 Aug-23 Sept-23 Oct-23 Nov-23 Dec-23 Jan-24 Feb-24 Mar-24 Apr-24 May-24 Jun-24 Jul-24 Aug-24 Sept-24 Oct-24 Nov-24 Dec-24 Jobs With this trend, the city has gained over 100,000 The city’s job market continues to register posi- jobs compared to the pre-pandemic figure, an tive indicators and contribute to stable growth in increase of 9.3%. While most sectors of the a complex economic context. Barcelona closed economy showed net job creation in 2019- 2024 with 1,238,324 people registered with So- 2024, it is worth highlighting the increase of cial Security—up 33,086 (2.7%) over the previ- almost 29,000 jobs in the information and ous year—the highest rate in the month of De- communication sector, 26,000 in business cember in the historical series. services, 19,000 in education and 13,000 in health and social services (38.3%, 10.9%, 24.9% and 11.7% respectively). Variation in Social Security registration* by sector in Barcelona (in number) December 2024/2019 Informa�on and communica�ons 28,814 Corporate services 25,934 Educa�on 18,933 Health and social services ac�vi�es 12,794 Transport and storage 8,722 Water, sanita�on and waste 6,617 Hotel management 6,400 Construc�on 4,749 Ar�s�c and recrea�onal ac�vi�es 3,429 Real estate ac�vi�es 856 Other services 696 Financial and insurance ac�vi�es 403 Electricity and gas 374 Public administra�on 104 Agriculture, livestock and fisheries 9 Extraterritorial bodies -53 Homes that employ domes�c staff -496 Industry -2,900 Retail and repairs -6,036 -10,000 -5,000 0 5,000 10,000 15,000 20,000 25,000 30,000 35,000 *Registered with general and self-employed Social Security schemes. Note: The reduction in the number of Social Security registrations in retail is due to the statistical effect of the relocation of the headquarters of three large contribution centres in Barcelona to another municipality in the metropolitan area. Source: Compiled by the Department of Studies at Barcelona City Council’s Management Office for the Economy and Economic Promotion, based on Social Security data. 70 7. ANNEXES Graph on the unemployment rate Unemployment rate by geographic region Q4 2024 and 2023 (% of population age 16 and older) 14.0 11.8 12.0 10.6 10.0 9.2 8.6 7.9 8.0 7.4 5.8 5.8 6.0 5.8 6.0 4.0 2.0 0.0 Spain Catalonia Province Barcelona EU* Barcelona 2023 2024 *Unemployment rate for the third quarter. Source: Labour Force Survey, INE and EUROSTAT. In the fourth quarter of 2024, the unemployment year-on-year decrease (0.1%), and remained at rate in Barcelona was 5.8%, the lowest since a similar level to the average in 2008. The typ- 2007. This is lower than Catalonia (7.9%) and ical profile of an unemployed person in the city Spain (10.6%), and the same as the European of Barcelona is a woman aged 45 or over with Union (5.8%). a general education who has been unemployed for more than 12 months. Registered unemployment in Barcelona stood at 63,491 people in December 2024, after the first Graph on permanent employment contracts Permanent employment contracts in Barcelona 2009-2024 (% of total) 50.0% 45.0% 43.0% 43.3% 40.8% 40.0% 35.0% 30.0% 25.0% 20.0% 16.5% 18.1% 13.9% 15.0% 13.0% 12.5% 10.0% 5.0% 0.0% 2009 2014 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 Source: Compiled by the Department of Studies at Barcelona City Council’s Management Office for the Economy and Economic Promotion, based on data from the City Council’s Statistics and Data Dissemination Department. BARCELONA IMPULSA 71 In terms of job quality, the relative share of per- Graph of the year-on-year variation in manent contracts in the city in 2024 was 43.3% Social Security registrations in the strategic of all contracts signed, which means that per- sectors in Barcelona manent contracts continued to account for over The strategic sectors continue to drive job crea- 40% of the total, as has been the case since the tion in Barcelona. A notable feature in 2024 was implementation of the labour reform, and are at the dynamic behaviour of jobs in the blue econ- the highest level in the annual historical series. omy, ICT, the sports economy, the green econo- my and the visitor economy, with a year-on-year increase in jobs (7%, 5.1%, 5%, 4% and 4% respectively) above the city average (3.1%). The same was true for the creative industries (3.1%), retail and BioHealth (2.2% year on year) and in- dustry (1.6%), while care work fell slightly (0.2%). Annual variation in jobs* in strategic sectors in Barcelona. Q4 2024/Q4 2023 (%) Blue economy 7.0% ICT 5.1% Sport 5.0% Green economy 4.0% Tourism 4.0% Crea�ve sectors 3.1% Total 3.1% BioHealth 2.2% Commerce 2.2% Industry 1.6% Care work -0.2% -1.0% 0.0% 1.0% 2.0% 3.0% 4.0% 5.0% 6.0% 7.0% 8.0% *Social Security registration, general and self-employed schemes. Source: Compiled by the Department of Studies at Barcelona City Council’s Management Office for the Economy and Economic Promotion, based on data from Idescat. 72 7. ANNEXES Graph on trading companies incorporated Trading companies incorporated in Barcelona 2019-2024 10,000 30.0% 8,936 9,000 8,308 25.0% 8,000 7,703 20.0% 7,000 15.0% 6,000 10.0% 7.6% 5.0% 5,000 0.0% 4,000 -5.0% 3,000 -10.0% 2,000 -15.0% 1,000 -20.0% 0 -25.0% 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 Source: Barcelona City Council Department of Statistics and Data Dissemination. New companies continue to be incorporated. In sports (11.7%), tourism (10.3%) and agrifood 2024, 8,936 commercial companies were incor- (8.8%). Meanwhile, retail trade recorded a de- porated in Barcelona, a year-on-year increase of crease in the number of new enterprises com- 7.6% and a figure well above the pre-pandem- pared to the previous year (5.6%). ic level (16.0%). The pace of company creation What also stands out in the cumulative total for accelerated in the last part of the year, with the the year is the increased pace of new enterprise cumulative figure for the fourth quarter repre- creation in the high tech and/or knowledge in- senting a year-on-year increase of 13.0%. tensive sectors, which is almost double the In the cumulative figures from January to No- growth of the city’s economy as a whole (15.4% vember, most of the strategic sectors recorded compared to 8.1%). significant increases, especially ICT (18.6%), BARCELONA IMPULSA 73 Graph on exports Trend in exports from the Barcelona area (in millions of euros). 2019-2024 90,000.0 80,000.0 78,242.5 77,037.2 70,000.0 57,077.0 60,000.0 50,000.0 40,000.0 30,000.0 20,000.0 10,000.0 0.0 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 * Provincial data. Source: Compiled by the Department of Studies at Barcelona City Council’s Management Office for the Economy and Economic Promotion, based on data from the Spanish Ministry of Industry and Tourism. In 2024, exports from the province of Barcelona al competitiveness, according to the prestig- reached €77.0372 billion, a moderate year-on- ious Global Power City Index 2024 by the Mori year decrease of 1.5%. This was less favourable Memorial Foundation. Ranked 19th in the world than the trend in Catalonia (-0.3%) and Spain as and 9th in Europe, it stood out in the categories a whole (+0.1%) and reflects the impact of to- of liveability (4th) and cultural interaction and ac- day’s geostrategic risks on international trade. cessibility (11th). The city is also highly attractive to visitors, entrepreneurs and residents, ranking However, the export rate is the second best an- 8th globally and 5th in Europe in Resonance nual rate in the historical series—after the peak Consultancy’s World’s Best Cities 2025. reached in 2023 (€78.2425 billion)—and is 35% higher than the pre-pandemic rates. Barcelona This attractiveness can be clearly seen in continues to lead Spain’s export ranking, with a investment, where Barcelona ranks 2nd in the fifth (20%) of sales abroad and 31.9% of export- world as the area receiving the most foreign ing companies in the country. investment projects in R&D in 2018-2023, and in 2024 it was again the European city with the best Barcelona’s rankings strategy for attracting foreign direct investment In 2024, Barcelona maintained its strong inter- (FDI). The city ranks 6th in Europe in terms of national economic position and was once again scientific output, according to internationally ranked among the top 20 cities in terms of glob- renowned indices. 74 7. ANNEXES The ten most attractive metropolitan areas for international investment in R&D 2018-2023 (projects) Bangalore 272 Barcelona 184 Singapore 179 Paris 168 Hyderabad 164 Shanghai 147 Poona 121 London 114 Montreal 97 Tel Aviv 89 0 50 100 150 200 250 300 Source: Global Cities Investment Monitor 2024, OpinionWay – Paris Île de France Capitale économique. Barcelona is a solid hub for the digital economy, Ecosystem Report 2024, Barcelona is the 2nd with its ecosystem ranked 8th in Europe for tech emerging ecosystem in the world, up two posi- investment between 2015 and 2024, attracting tions from the previous year, and the 9th most more than €6 billion, according to the State of innovative European city (2thinknow). European Tech 2024 (Atomico). Similarly, ac- cording to Startup Genome’s Global Startup Capital invested in the 20 main tech ecosystems in Europe 2005-2024 (in billions of euros) 2005-2014 2015-2024 1 London 8.9 103.1 2 Berlin 4.1 41.7 3 Paris 2.6 32.5 4 Stockholm 1.9 25 5 Munich 0.5 12.1 6 Amsterdam 1.1 10.4 7 Dublin 0.7 7 8 Barcelona 1 6.3 9 Copenhagen 0.4 5.2 10 Cambridge 0.5 5.1 11 Madrid 0.5 5 12 Milan 0.2 5 13 Helsinki 0.4 4.9 14 Oslo 0.3 4.7 15 Zurich 0.1 4.3 Source: State of European Tech 2024, Atomico. BARCELONA IMPULSA 75 Barcelona is an attractive city for global talent. particularly for its public transport offer and the In 2024, Barcelona was ranked the 8th most integration of vulnerable people. According to attractive city in the world for working abroad the European Commission’s Cultural and Crea- (according to the Boston Consulting Group), tive Cities Monitor 2023, Barcelona ranked 13th climbing one position in the ranking over the among the most intensely creative cities in Eu- previous year. rope, standing out in terms of facilitation, where it topped the list, although it is also a leader in human capital and training. The world’s most attractive cities for working abroad Cities in the world with the most 2020 City 2023 ranking ranking sustainable urban mobility systems 1 London 1 2024 2 Amsterdam 2 3 Dubai 3 Sustainable City 5 Abu Dhabi 4 mobility ranking 8 New York 5 Helsinki 1 4 Berlin 6 Oslo 2 7 Singapore 7 Amsterdam 3 9 Barcelona 8 Copenhagen 4 6 Tokyo 9 Stockholm 5 10 Sydney 10 Munich 6 14 Toronto 11 Vienna 7 12 Los Angeles 12 Zurich 8 11 Paris 13 Paris 9 13 Melbourne 14 Hong Kong 10 - Austin 15 Berlin 11 - Auckland 16 Barcelona 12 Madrid 13 Source: Boston Consulting Group, Decoding Global Seoul 14 Talent 2024. Shanghai 15 Auckland 16 In areas associated with quality of life, it is note- Source: Urban City Readiness Index 2024, worthy that in 2024 Barcelona was also ranked University of Berkeley and Oliver Wyman Forum. 12th in the world for sustainable urban mobili- ty by the University of Berkeley and Oliver Wy- man Forum’s Urban Mobility Readiness Index 2024 report, climbing nine places compared to 2023. Also in 2024, Barcelona was ranked 8th among European maritime cities, according to the Leading Maritime Cities of the World 2024 report by Menon Economics and DNV. This was the first time the city ranked among the world’s top 30, having climbed seven places since 2022. In 2023, the city joined the ranks of the ten most resilient cities in the world, coming in at 9th, 76 7. ANNEXES ANNEXE 2. STRATEGIC SECTORS FOR DIVERSIFYING BARCELONA’S ECONOMY One of the aims of the Barcelona Impulsa plan is to diversify the city’s economy by expanding the opportunities for talent to develop in a variety of fields, in an effort to create the most polycentric, polysectoral economy possible. Beyond Barcelona’s traditional sectors, such as retail, hospitality and tourism, new and fast-grow- ing sectors are emerging and contributing to a more solid and stable economic system. The aim of this section is to present the main data on each of these sectors in order to understand their importance and why they have been chosen, in terms of their impact on our economy, their role in our society, their potential for growth and their influence in building the Barcelona of the future. The different sectors cannot be considered in isolation, but as part of an interconnected ecosystem that promotes the flow of knowledge, the development of economic opportunities and the trans- formation of the city. The new economic agenda establishes a revised operating framework that broadens the scope by combining both consolidated and emerging sectors. 1. RETAIL AND RESTAURANTS1 Local neighbourhood retail that contributes to The city has 43 markets, 39 of which sell food the economic prosperity of neighbourhoods, and the other four sell other items. In Barcelona, promotes the competitiveness of small traders 61% of the population shops in these markets, and ensures the variety and quality of goods choosing the freshness and quality they offer. available to consumers. These markets, with their 1,892 stalls, 64.5% of which sell food, attract more than 70 million The retail, market and restaurant sector is visits every year. These figures make Barcelona one of the city’s main economic drivers. the European city with the largest network of In 2024, the retail sector accounted for 11.9% food markets. Shops and markets not only of total employment in the city, with a total serve the local community; they also bring life of 146,852 jobs, while restaurants generated and vitality to the area and are an essential 73,755 jobs, 6.1% of the total. Wholesale trade part of the identity and personality of the city, accounts for 7.7% of GDP, retail trade for 4.4%, making it unique and inimitable. and restaurants, services and accommodation for 5.9%. 1. Source: Barcelona Municipal Institute of Markets and Department of Studies at Barcelona City Council’s Management Office for the Economy and Economic Promotion. BARCELONA IMPULSA 77 Markets, driving the consumption of local goods: 60.7% 1,892 establishments (2024) of the population of Barcelona shops at markets 43 markets 39 selling food 4 selling other goods >70 MILLION VISITS per year (2023) Barcelona’s retail network1 Barcelona, a restaurant leader1 Markets are a cornerstone of the city’s econ- Barcelona stands out as a pioneering and lead- omy, with a commercial area measuring ing city in the field of restaurants. With more 126,034 m². With 14,790 companies, represent- than 10,000 bars and restaurants, it boasts ing 8.9% of Barcelona’s business network, the a broad, diverse range of dining options. Plus, importance and diversity of the sector is evident. 26 of its restaurants have been awarded 37 The city also has more than 68,000 ground-floor Michelin stars, which makes it the city with the establishments involved in economic activities. most stars in all of Spain and the third in Europe. In fact, four of the world’s top ten chefs have In the last decade, the number of consum- a restaurant in Barcelona. Moreover, the award ers in the city who shop online has doubled, for the best restaurant in world was just given to a change that reflects the increasing use of Barcelona’s Disfrutar, according to the World’s e-commerce by Barcelona’s residents. This 50 Best 2024 ranking. Importantly, 17.6% of trend demonstrates Barcelona’s ability to com- ground-floor premises are occupied by the bine the convenience of technology with the restaurant sector, which reflects its importance richness of its retail heritage. in the city’s urban and cultural life. This rich, varied food scene contributes significantly to Barcelona’s appeal and identity as a globally renowned culinary destination. 1. Source: Barcelona Municipal Institute of Markets and Department of Studies at Barcelona City Council’s Management Office for the Economy and Economic Promotion. 78 7. ANNEXES 2. HEALTH1 From ensuring equal access to disease preven- The life sciences ecosystem accounts for 7.6% tion and treatment to encouraging biotech com- of Catalonia’s GDP, with a total turnover of panies to set up in Barcelona, positioning the €44.757 billion for the sector in 2023, including city as a benchmark in the sector both nationally healthcare services, reflecting the significant and internationally. economic impact and leadership capacity of this sector. The sector generated 108,269 jobs in the Health is a leading industrial sector for Barcelona. city of Barcelona in 2024, accounting for 8.9% of the total. Catalonia is home to 93 research Catalonia has one of the best public healthcare organisations and has 46 drug manufacturing systems in the world. This is confirmed by all the plants. Plus, 50% of the leading multinationals WHO reports published in prestigious journals in the sector are present in Catalonia. in the sector, such as The Lancet. This solid foundation of public service and infrastructures has allowed public and private research and entrepreneurship to flourish. A national and international leader in the health sector: €44.757B 5,368 in turnover in the life clinical trials under sciences sector in Catalonia (2023) way in Catalonia >100,000 JOBS 5th in the city of Barcelona in Europe in the number of scientific publications 1. Source: Department of Studies at Barcelona City Council’s Management Office for the Economy and Economic Promotion and BIOCAT, BioRegion Report 2024. BARCELONA IMPULSA 79 Catalonia is a pioneer in the health record was set in 2024, with an investment of sector. almost €550 million and almost 1,700 new jobs, It has 5,368 active clinical trials, ranking 8th in again driven by the multinational AstraZeneca. the world and 5th in Europe. Catalonia ranks second in Spain as the region that exports (Scalable) healthcare start-ups in Catalo- the most health and bio goods, a sector that nia managed to attract €347 million of in- accounts for more than 40% of the country’s to- vestment in 2024, the second highest figure tal and 9% of Catalonia’s exports. in history, 80% of which is venture capital. Between 2020 and 2024, the sector attracted a Furthermore, 75% of the venture capital se- total of €2.106 billion in foreign direct investment cured by this sector includes international par- (FDI), leading to the creation of 5,819 new jobs, an ticipation, proving Barcelona’s attractiveness as increase of 25% and 24% respectively compared a hotspot for investment in innovation. to the previous period (2019-2023). Another Generator of foreign investment: €2.106B €347M of foreign direct of investment raised by investment in the (scalable) start-ups in the sector BioRegion (2020-2024) in 2024 (80% venture capital) 5,829 55% jobs created by foreign year-on-year increase direct investment in the in the investment raised by BioRegion (2020-2024) (scalable) start-ups in the sector (2024/2023) 80 7. ANNEXES 3. CARE ECONOMY1 Driving forward the care economy by promot- 2023, The Economist Impact). With 474 silver ing the creation of quality jobs and equipping it companies, 391 residences, 46 start-ups with the necessary tools of competitiveness that and 460 foundations and associations, the promote technological and social innovation, so Barcelona metropolitan area leads Europe in the that the business network can meet the growing development of a sector dedicated to the well- demand and future challenges of an ageing so- being of its elderly citizens. ciety in a fair, egalitarian and quality way. The increasing demand for care services ex- Care is one of the most essential and, unfor- pected in the coming years highlights the op- tunately, invisible human activities. It is need- portunity to promote a business network that ed 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and all of harnesses technology and innovation to facili- us have needed it or will need it at some point. tate the work of caregivers and provide scalable, And this work tends to fall unfairly on women’s agile and high-quality services. shoulders. Barcelona City Council is stead- The care economy in the city of Barcelona has fast in its commitment to prioritising care, a number of characteristics that make it particu- while promoting rights and social cohesion. larly vulnerable. Of the total jobs it creates, Of all the big cities in Spain, Barcelona boasts 16,329 are in the Special System for Domes- the highest social investment and has shown the tic Workers, a particularly precarious sector. most ambition and public innovation (homes for One of the most striking features of this occu- the elderly, advanced remote care, community pation is its gender breakdown. It is a predom- programmes such as Radars and Vincles, and inantly female sector, with women occupy- many more). ing more than 75% of the jobs. This gender The care economy is recognised as a priori- asymmetry leads to a lack of diversification ty sector in Barcelona, accounting for 2.2% of and potential imbalances. the city’s Gross Added Value (GAV) in 2023. The Another critical point is the level of salaries in the population over 65 in the Barcelona metro- sector. The average salary of workers in Barcelo- politan area is expected to increase by 36% na’s care economy is more than 40% below the between 2018 and 2038. This trend suggests city average. The current situation of the care the need to expand and transform services economy in Barcelona highlights the need to re- for the elderly, including healthcare, home think and restructure current work and remuner- care and adapted infrastructure. ation models. More investment, recognition and A particularly vulnerable profession: regulation are needed to ensure the dignity and Barcelona was ranked 2nd in the world sustainability of the sector, which is essential for for integrating vulnerable people in 2023, the resilience and well-being of both the city and reflecting its commitment to the care economy its inhabitants. and supporting citizens (Resilient Cities Index 1. Source: Department of Studies at the Management Office for the Economy and Economic Promotion, Silver Economy Report, Caring for dependent elderly people, Barcelona City Council. BARCELONA IMPULSA 81 4. SCIENCE AND INNOVATION1 Promoting research and innovation as drivers MareNostrum, Mini Tauro and Pirineus (CSUC). of competitiveness and economic sustainabili- This infrastructure is complemented by 59,000 ty, and facilitating knowledge transfer between highly qualified professionals and more than public and private stakeholders to achieve inno- 1,400 research companies, making Barcelona vative solutions to global and local challenges. a magnet for global talent with more than 40,000 researchers. Barcelona is the science and technology cap- ital of Spain and southern Europe, and one of The Barcelona Science Park is the largest in the leading cities in the EU. In 2023, the city Spain, with more than 100,000 m² dedicated to ranked 6th in Europe and 20th in the world in innovation. It also ranks second in clinical trials terms of scientific output, according to data per million inhabitants, underlining its key role compiled by the Polytechnic University of Cat- in the advancement of medicine. Barcelona has alonia based on the Science Citation Index. In become a very attractive city for start-ups and fact, it produced more publications than such for attracting investment. This combination of important cities as Cambridge (USA), Berlin and infrastructure, talent and dynamism puts it on Oxford. the map as a leader in the research and innova- tion sector. Barcelona is also the second city in the world for attracting greenfield foreign investment projects in research and development cen- tres. It ranks 2nd in the world in terms of FDI received, only behind Bangalore, and 1st in Europe, with a total of 184 innovation projects attracted over the five-year period 2018-2023. Two thirds of these are from European compa- nies (Global Cities Investment Monitor 2024). Research ecosystem: With six science centres and three universities ranked among the top 400 in the world, Barcelona stands out for its academic and innovative excellence. The city has six science and technology parks and eight hospitals and research institutes dedicated to pushing the boundaries of knowledge and medicine. Catalonia has 91 scientific research centres, and Barcelona is home to more than ten internationally renowned scientific and technical facilities, such as the ALBA synchrotron, 1. Source: Fast Track Program Life Sciences Hub, 2020 BioRegion Report, Barcelona 2023 | Barcelona Dades. 82 7. ANNEXES 5. VISITOR ECONOMY Barcelona aims to promote a sustainable visi- ing a pioneer in sustainable urban tourism. It tor economy that respects the environment and is also a leading city in attracting conferenc- promotes the development of other economic es, conventions and events of all kinds. sectors and the well-being of its inhabitants, in In 2024, the sector employed 157,025 people, order to guarantee tourism management that is the highest figure in the historical series and a in line with the urban model and a quality expe- significant 13.3% of total employment, demon- rience that is integrated into local life. strating its importance to the local labour mar- With 15.6 million tourists in 2024 and almost ket. The sector also makes a significant con- 37 million overnight stays by tourists in tour- tribution to the city’s economy, accounting for ist accommodation (an increase of 2.8% over 13.9% of GDP. 2023), Barcelona continues to be one of the world’s leading urban destinations. It is worth 1 noting that 83% of these tourists are internation- Key data for the sector: al, and visitor loyalty is remarkable: 48.5% re- In 2025, the expected revenue from the tax on turn to the city. Each tourist spends an average accommodation in tourist establishments (IEET) of €91.70 per day, and the average length of stay and related surcharges is expected to exceed has increased from 2.7 to 3 nights per person, €100 million. This figure highlights not only a sign of the city’s attractiveness and diversity. Barcelona’s ability to attract tourists, but also its efficiency in generating revenue that can In 2024, according to the Tourism Observato- be used to improve the city’s infrastructure ry’s preliminary estimate, the economic im- and services. Taxes related to tourist activity pact of direct spending declared by tourists are the third largest source of income for in the city of Barcelona was €10.317 billion, Barcelona City Council. exceeding €10 billion for the first time. This is 6.6% more than in 2023 and 22.2% more than in 2019. The city of Barcelona is a global touchstone in the visitor economy, as evidenced by the main rankings. Several rankings highlight Bar- celona’s attractiveness to international visitors: the World Best Cities 2025 ranking (Reso- nance Consultancy) ranks Barcelona as the 8th most attractive city in the world and 5th in Europe for tourists and entrepreneurs. It also has the leading cruise ship port in the Mediterra- nean and Europe, and the 4th in the world, and has received international awards such as the Biosphere Platinum certification for be- 1. Source: Department of Studies at Barcelona City Council’s Management Office for the Economy and Economic Promotion, and Barcelona Tourism Observatory. BARCELONA IMPULSA 83 6. TECHNOLOGY AND DIGITAL INDUSTRIES Technifying strategic sectors, increasing com- average number of cyberattacks increased petitiveness and promoting innovation in order by 50% compared to 2021. Faced with this to stimulate economic growth and sustainable type of measure, Barcelona must demonstrate development by creating business opportunities its resilience and be prepared for any threat and improving services. through collaboration between the public and private sectors. Main assets of the tech sector:1 Today, Barcelona is the science and technol- Technological innovation point: ogy capital of Spain and southern Europe. Catalonia has 160 tech centres, 76% of which are located in the city of Barcelona. They pro- 8th EUROPEAN CITY vide 34,869 jobs, 22% more than last year, and in the amount of tech have an economic impact of more than €2.8 bil- investment raised, lion per year (Tech Hubs Overview report spear- 2015-2024 (Atomico) headed by Mobile World Capital Barcelona). And the trend is growing: The number of tech hubs in Barcelona has doubled since 2018, according to the MWC Foundation. According to Atomi- OVER 3,000 co’s State of European Tech 2024, Barcelona is ICT companies in 2024 the 8th leading European city for attracting in- ternational tech investment between 2015 and 2024. It was also named the 2nd most prom- 32.4% ising emerging ecosystem in the world in 2024 by the Global Startup Ecosystem Report. And, of employees in of course, it is home to the Supercomputing ICT are women in 2024 Center, Mobile World Congress and ISE. Source: Department of Studies at Barcelona City All in all, the tech sector accounts for 9.1% of the Council’s Management Office for the Economy and gross value added of the city of Barcelona, with Economic Promotion 90,418 jobs at the end of 2024. This means that 57,022 jobs have been created in this sector The opening of southern Europe’s largest eS- since 2012, an increase of 170.7%. ports centre in Barcelona was announced in 2023. In terms of cybersecurity specifically, between 2021 and 2027, €1.6 billion will be invested In the same year, Barcelona’s business and in cybersecurity and the installation of technology network included more than cybersecurity infrastructure and tools as part 3,000 ICT companies, with an average salary of the Digital Europe programme. In 2022, the of €47,439 per year. These companies repre- sent 4.4% of the city’s businesses, making it the 13th digital city in the world. 1. Source: Department of Studies at Barcelona City Council’s Management Office for the Economy and Economic Promotion, and Mobile World Capital. 84 7. ANNEXES However, this high employment rate does not In the past five years, the number of women contradict the city’s fundamental values, such as in the city’s technology sector has doubled, equal opportunities and gender equality. On the and women hold around a third of all ICT jobs. contrary, Barcelona is one of the European cities with the highest percentage of women in ICT. 7. CREATIVE INDUSTRIES Encouraging creativity and innovation as drivers More than half (54.2%) of creative of economic development by promoting sectors jobs in Catalonia are located in such as art, culture, design and fashion, which Barcelona1 contribute to the city’s international reputation Catalonia is the region with the highest num- and generate jobs and wealth. The creative in- ber of innovative companies in Spain. There dustries are central to the city of Barcelona. are four districts in Barcelona that stand out for their specialisation in creative industries: Eix- Culture is an essential tool for building a free, ample, Gràcia, Sant Martí and Ciutat Vella. critical citizenry and promoting progress. Bar- celona has its own cultural model, with a rich The undeniable creative nature of the city of creative network and local cultural institutions, Barcelona and its people is reflected in the organisations and companies, and is able to at- global rankings. For example, the European tract creative industries and creatives from all Commission’s Cultural and Creative Cities Mon- over the world, making it a benchmark in sec- itor 2023 ranked Barcelona as the 13th most tors as diverse as publishing, performing arts, creative city in Europe, with outstanding results audiovisual and video games. in human capital and education (1st), local and international connections (2nd) and openness, The creative industries, from tolerance and trust (5th). It hosts prestigious in- Barcelona to the world: ternational events such as the World Capital In 2024, 188,397 people in Barcelona worked of Architecture 2026, and organises the UIA in companies related to the creative industries, Congress 2026 and the European art biennial representing 15.6% of jobs in the city. Between Manifesta 2024. These fairs, festivals and major 2021 and 2024, the number of jobs increased events have an estimated impact of €5.1 billion by 17.8%, confirming the upswing in the sector, in Barcelona. as the number of jobs increased by 9.1% more than the economy as a whole. In addition, Catalonia reached the category of strong innovator in the European Commis- sion’s Regional Innovation Scoreboard 2023. 1. Source: Department of Studies at Barcelona City Council’s Management Office for the Economy and Economic Promotion BARCELONA IMPULSA 85 8. AGRIFOOD Ensuring food safety, promoting sustainable Catalonia’s logistics network can serve 400 production, distribution and marketing practic- million consumers in less than 48 hours, es, and preserving food quality play an essential and its geostrategic location provides efficient role in the local and national economy, driving international connections with Asia and the rural development and contributing to economic Americas and optimised distribution to Europe growth. and Africa. The agrifood sector is a leading Barcelona has 39 municipal food markets and industry in Catalonia:1 four specialised markets, which receive more The agrifood sector is one of the driving forces than 70 million visitors a year. Agrifood exports of the Catalan economy. It contributes 19.7% account for 15.6% of Catalonia’s total exports. of Catalonia’s GDP and is one of the most dy- namic export sectors. For the fourth year in a row, Catalonia is the leading Spanish exporter of food and beverages, accounting for 21% of total exports. A national and international leader in the agrifood sector: 37 22.5% Michelin stars in Barcelona of food technology in 2024 start-ups in Spain 21% of exports from Spain 10% of the total agrifood offerings in the city are organic Barcelona is a hub of food talent. In 2024, the ranks 12th in the EU in terms of export volume city’s restaurants were awarded 37 prestigious and accounts for 21% of Spain’s total exports. Michelin stars. Catalonia is the autonomous Organic food occupies a prominent place in community that generates the most food the agrifood sector. Specifically, the supply of technology start-ups, with 22.5% of Spain’s organic food in Barcelona accounts for 10% total. In particular, Catalonia’s agrifood sector of the total. 1. Source: Prodeca, promoter of Catalan food – Catalonia, where food is culture, 2020. 86 7. ANNEXES Mercabarna.1 sector, with 7,500 jobs and 23,000 users per day. A cornerstone of the city’s economy and the The amount of food that enters and leaves epicentre of the agrifood sector in Barcelona Mercabarna every day clearly justifies its role and Catalonia. Mercabarna is the heart of this as a leading player in the local economy. 9. BLUE ECONOMY2 Encourage sustainable development of the mar- The blue economy: driving job and itime and coastal sectors and promote the con- business creation and attracting servation of marine ecosystems, oceanographic visitors: research and the creation of quality jobs in sec- tors such as port logistics, fisheries, maritime tourism, blue biotechnology and renewable en- ergies. >1,600 businesses in the sector The blue economy is gaining ground as a key new economic sector in the city of Barcelo- na. With over 51,000 jobs—up 4.6% in 2023, 51,238 more than twice the city’s overall employment growth—this sector shows strong growth po- jobs in Barcelona tential and makes a significant contribution to the local economy, accounting for 4.3% of total jobs and generating over €11 million in turn- >5 MILLION over, or 5% of the city’s total. These indicators beach users spotlight the importance and potential of this sector, which not only fosters economic de- The city’s positioning in the world velopment but also promotes environmental Barcelona occupies a prominent position in sustainability and conservation. the world when it comes to the blue econo- my. It is the leading Spanish port in terms of the value of its goods and has 1,200 hectares dedicated to the blue economy, making it a key logistics hub in southern Europe. The Port of Barcelona is one of the most sustainable ports in the Mediterranean; it is working to become a hub for zero emission fuel production and has been a pioneer in supplying and promoting the use of liquefied natural gas (LNG) as a transi- tion to carbon neutral fuels. It has become the leading LNG supplier in Spain—with 40% of the total—and is one of the leaders in Europe. 1. Source: MERCABARNA, Mercabarna in figures 2023. 2. Source: Barcelona City Council – Port of Barcelona – University of Barcelona Sustainable Blue Economy Chair, Blue Economy Observatory of Barcelona. BARCELONA IMPULSA 87 According to the Leading Maritime Cities of the to the blue economy, such as innovation, talent World 2024, published by A Menon Econom- attraction, tech entrepreneurship and sport. ics and DNV, Barcelona is ranked 27th in the The city also stands out in the field of blue world and 8th in Europe among the most tourism; in 2023, 47.6% of tourists who vis- advanced maritime cities, moving up seven ited Barcelona were blue tourists, attracted places in the global ranking, demonstrating its by the sea and interacting with it during their emerging position in this field. visit. Barcelona is a benchmark and is widely recog- nised around the world in areas closely related 10. SOCIAL AND SOLIDARITY ECONOMY Promoting an economic model based on coop- The social and solidarity economy (SSE), eration and citizen participation, and driving ini- which has a cooperative and ethical business tiatives such as cooperatives, social companies model that promotes a change in the socioec- and other forms of organisation that prioritise onomic model based on sustainable and fair equity, inclusion and social and environmental development, accounts for 12.5% of employ- sustainability. ment in Spain, demonstrating its importance in creating job opportunities. In addition, SSE has demonstrated its economic success and Strategic sector: its ability to both generate and better distribute wealth. The SSE accounts for 10% of Spain’s 10% GDP, with 9,880 economic and social actors and of Spain’s GDP entities, including 1,122 cooperatives. The SSE has become prominent thanks to a sig- nificant increase in citizen participation of 25.7% >25.7% (2022). To support this growth, Barcelona has of Barcelona’s citizens developed a Social and Solidarity Economy participate in the social Strategy until 2030, which sets out a clear and solidarity economy path towards economic sustainability and (2022) equity. 12.5% of jobs in Spain 88 7. ANNEXES Barcelona’s SSE ecosystem1 new cooperatives have been created, bringing The social and solidarity economy, which the total to 1,122, representing 24.4% of the puts people and groups at the centre of its total in Catalonia. In 2016, the number of co- activities, has a significant presence in Bar- operatives created in the city doubled (from 26 celona, growing by 10% in five years, from to 56 new cooperatives per year), a pace that 4,280 organisations in 2018 to 4,713 in 2023. In remained stable until 2020. This pace is now re- absolute terms, associations, cooperatives and covering and is approaching the number of new foundations have grown the most (239, 149 and cooperatives created between 2016 and 2019. 48 more respectively). In percentage terms, job In addition, the city has 53 special work centres placement companies saw the highest growth and 19 job placement companies, demonstrat- at 46.2% (with six new companies), followed by ing Barcelona’s commitment to inclusion and ethical finance at 37.5% (three new organiza- support for alternative business models. tions), cooperatives at 15.1%, and associations at 10.2%. Meanwhile, the number of mutuals decreased (due to the absorption of two mutu- als), as did the number of workers’ cooperatives and agricultural producers’ associations. Barcelona is internationally known as a dynam- ic city with a strong and diverse SSE network, and this recognition was recently reinforced with the completion of the renovation of Bloc4BCN, Barcelona’s cooperative space, which start- ed providing services in February 2024. All this has been accompanied by an increase in the presence of SSE in the city (both in terms of the number of organisations and turnover). In the light of this dynamic reality, the City Covenant for the Barcelona Social and Solidarity Econo- my Strategy for 2030, with 212 signatories, has been created and is jointly led by Barcelona City Council and the Catalan Association of Social Economy (AESCAT), in order to create a roadm- ap and shared governance to promote the SSE over the next ten years. The districts of Eixample, Ciutat Vella and Sant Martí stand out for their high concen- tration of SSE enterprises. Since 2016, 402 1. Source: Directorate of Social and Solidarity Economy Services and Department of Studies at Barcelona City Council’s Management Office for the Economy and Economic Promotion BARCELONA IMPULSA 89 BARCELONA IMPULSA 2025–2035 THE CITY’S ECONOMIC AGENDA barcelona.cat/economia-ocupacio