Innovation and entrepreneurship are awarded, as are the cities and regions that promote them. The European Committee of the Regions has presented the award to Barcelona as 'European Entrepreneurial Region', an award that recognises the city’s innovative strategy in fostering entrepreneurship. This is a distinction that has been awarded since 2011 and gives visibility to the initiatives of cities and regions to boost the entrepreneurial and business ecosystem. 

The Commissioner for City Promotion, Pau Solanilla, represented Barcelona City Council during the presentation of the awards. Solanilla highlighted the fact that the city “is fully committed to the pillars that must lead the European economies to ensure a sustainable future for our populations. They have to be green, digital and inclusive”. 

The thematic focus of the 2023 edition of the award is based on the theme 'Entrepreneurship and resilient communities'. Thus, it is intended to highlight the fact that SMEs and entrepreneurs can drive economic recovery and increase the resilience of the economy of cities and regions, accepting the main economic and social challenges today: technological development, digitalisation and the transition towards a sustainable world and low carbon economy.   

Beyond the recognition itself, for a year the regions awarded will be able to use the European Entrepreneurial Region label in all communications and outreach related to the promotion of entrepreneurship and enterprises.

You can consult all the information related to the award at this link.