Barcelona has once again positioned itself at the centre of the international audiovisual sector with a new edition of Integrated Systems Europe (ISE) 2026. The trade fair, held at Fira de Barcelona from 3 to 6 February, brought together 92.170 attendees, reaffirming its role as the world’s leading event in the sector. 

Edition after edition, ISE has established itself as a key driving force for the city’s and the country’s audiovisual and technological ecosystem. This year it has featured more than 1,700 exhibitors and more than 340 speakers. It is a strategic sector that continues to generate economic activity, highly skilled employment and talent attraction, while helping to position Barcelona on the global map of creative and digital innovation. 

Barcelona Activa once again had a prominent presence at the fair with a stand shared with Barcelona City Council and the Catalan Audiovisual Cluster, a space designed to showcase the territory’s creative, business and technological potential. The stand offered an immersive experience for attendees, who were able to discover first-hand the solutions and projects of various companies from the audiovisual sector and emerging technologies. 

During this edition, the Barcelona Activa space once again became a meeting point for professionals, companies and agents from the creative ecosystem, facilitating networking spaces, professional meetings, project presentations and activities connecting with audiovisual entrepreneurship. The municipal programmes and services aimed at fostering talent, innovation and business growth within the creative and digital industries were also presented. 

As in previous editions, ISE 2026 helped to strengthen collaboration between institutions, established companies and startups, while also giving visibility to new initiatives linked to extended reality (XR), audiovisual production, immersive environments and technological solutions applied to culture, communication and events. 

With the closing of this edition, Barcelona reaffirms its position as a host city for major international events and as a leading hub in the audiovisual and creative fields, thanks to a diverse and innovative ecosystem with the capacity to generate quality employment. 

Barcelona Activa will continue working to promote the development of the audiovisual sector, supporting companies and professionals, fostering entrepreneurship and promoting innovation as key drivers of economic growth and urban transformation. 

Relive the highlights of the fair with the video recap and take note of the dates of the next ISE edition, which will take place from 2 to 5 February 2027. 

Barcelona Activa, through Cibernàrium, is launching a new edition of in-person preparation courses for the ACTIC Level 1 (basic), aimed at strengthening the digital skills of citizens and facilitating access to an official accreditation recognized by the Generalitat de Catalunya. 

The ACTIC is an official certificate issued by the Generalitat de Catalunya that validates your level of knowledge and use of digital tools before companies and public administrations. To obtain it, you must pass an online test with automatic evaluation. The preparation courses are designed to provide practical and accessible training to successfully take the official exam. The training is free and is aimed at individuals with basic digital knowledge who want to consolidate their skills and improve their employability. 

For the basic level, the certification includes six fundamental competencies related to the safe, efficient, and responsible use of technology: 

• Digital culture, participation, and civics 
• Digital technology and the use of computers and operating systems 
• Processing written information 
• Processing graphic, sound, and audiovisual information 
• Navigation and communication in the digital world 
• Processing numerical information 

Each competency is worked on in in-person sessions, and the program runs from January to March. 

Sessions will be held at different libraries across the city: Biblioteca Agustí Centelles, Biblioteca Camp de l'Arpa, Biblioteca Gabriel García Márquez, Biblioteca Horta, and Biblioteca Jaume Fuster. 

The preparation helps ensure a confident approach to the exam, but it's important to note that the course completion certificate verifies attendance and does not replace the official accreditation, which can only be obtained by passing the exam. Course registrations are now open, and the exam must be booked through the ACTIC portal, specifying the collaborating center and the time slot. 

With this call, Barcelona Activa reinforces its commitment to bringing digital training closer and providing more opportunities for access to the job market. 

Barcelona Activa launches a new edition of Idees Madures, an initiative aimed at people over 40 who want to start a business and need support to develop their business ideas. 

This program is designed for entrepreneurs who want to validate their business ideas, regardless of the sector. The goal is to help them analyze the viability of their projects and equip them with the necessary skills and tools to build a solid company. It combines training in areas such as organization, marketing, finance, and taxation, as well as personalized guidance to develop a business plan. 

The program consists of 23 sessions, held three days a week in the morning from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., in a hybrid format. The places are limited to 20 participants, with the aim of ensuring close attention and adapting to the needs of each project. With this support initiative, Barcelona Activa reinforces its commitment to entrepreneurship at all stages of professional life, offering support for people over 40 to develop viable and sustainable projects. 

To participate in the first phase of the process, you must register for the informational session on February 16th through the Barcelona Activa activities website and attach the necessary application form to validate participation. The program registration phase will open later, once this informational phase is completed. 

Check all the information and participation requirements on the official Idees Madures page. 

Barcelona Activa presents (Re)activa’t, a free orientation and training program aimed at young people aged 16 to 29 registered with the Servei Públic d’Ocupació de Catalunya, specifically designed for those with little work experience or those looking to change careers. This project aims to foster the professional development of young talent through accredited training in high-demand fields, such as warehouse auxiliary activities, basic restaurant and bar operations, retail assistant, and administrative services. 

The program offers the opportunity to explore new professions and acquire specific skills for the job market. Over the 12-month program, participants will have access to both theoretical and practical training, as well as the guidance of a mentor who will help them understand the day-to-day tasks of different jobs and address any questions about their future career. 

(Re)activa’t supports you in identifying your work interests and improving your skills through practical training and personalized guidance. Participants will have the chance to join professional companies in the sector through internships, and upon completing the program, they will receive a Level 1 Professional Certificate that recognizes their training and experience. 

This program was created to help young people in Barcelona overcome difficulties in finding a job or defining their professional path, offering guidance, training, and personalized support to ease their entry into the job market. 

Applications for the (Re)activa’t program are now open. Those interested can register via the registration link or contact for more information at ocupaciojoves@barcelonactiva.cat or call 603805131.

During the Christmas period, Barcelona Activa will keep the main services for citizens, businesses, and entities in the city active, adapting schedules and formats. During this period, some services will adjust their hours or concentrate activities on specific days, while facilities will close temporarily on official holidays. 

Regarding the Convent de Barcelona Activa, a reference facility for youth services, it will open on December 22, 23, 24, 29, 30, and 31 from 8 am to 3 pm. Starting January 7, 2026, the facility will return to its regular morning and afternoon hours. 

The Porta22 work and career guidance service will open as usual from 8 am to 8 pm, with service available until 3 pm on December 24 and 31, as well as January 2 and 5. 

The LIDERA facility, located at MediaTIC, will offer reduced hours from 9 am to 3 pm on December 24 and 31 and January 5. On the other days, it will maintain its regular schedule. 

In the field of technological training, the Cibernàrium reception will remain open in the morning but will not offer activities on December 22, 23, and 24. On December 29, 30, 31, and January 2, the facility will be closed. On January 5, activities will be scheduled only in the morning, with reception open until 3 pm. 

The entrepreneurship incubators in Glòries will open on working days from December 24 to January 7, both included, from 9 am to 3 pm. On December 22 and 23, they will maintain the usual hours, from 9 am to 6 pm. 

In the field of business support, the Office for Business Attention (OAE) and the Technology Park will maintain their regular hours, from Monday to Thursday, from 8:30 am to 6 pm, and on Fridays, from 8:30 am to 2:30 pm. On December 24, 31, and January 5, the service will be from 8:30 am to 2:30 pm. 

Regarding the social economy, Ca n'Andalet will remain closed from December 24 to January 6, both included, and will resume normal activity on the other days. 

Check the schedules and locations of different facilities in the city during the Christmas holidays. 

Barcelona Activa is launching a special Christmas program to bring science, technology, and creativity to children during the school holidays. The initiative, developed in collaboration with the Consorci de Biblioteques de Barcelona, includes workshops from the EstàsON program and offers hands-on activities designed for learning through experimentation and play.

The program is aimed at two age groups, 6 to 8 years old and 9 to 12 years old, and will take place in 11 libraries across different neighborhoods of the city. A total of 20 sessions are scheduled between December 22 and 31, with workshops combining crafts, ingenuity, robotics, and an introduction to programming.

For ages 6 to 8

Challenge force and create a hovercraft (3 sessions)

• 12/22, 10:00 AM – Sant Gervasi–Joan Maragall Library

• 12/23, 11:00 AM – Camp de l’Arpa Library (outside Punt Xarxa)

• 12/24, 11:00 AM – Gabriel García Márquez Library

Paint with the colors nature gives us (5 sessions)

• 12/23, 11:00 AM – Can Fabra Library

• 12/23, 5:30 PM – Trinitat Vella Library

• 12/24, 10:00 AM – Guinardó–Mercè Rodoreda Library

• 12/24, 11:00 AM – Nou Barris Library

• 12/30, 11:00 AM – Vila de Gràcia Library

Robots as protagonists of a fantastic story (2 sessions)

• 12/22, 5:30 PM – Vila de Gràcia Library

• 12/30, 5:30 PM – Guinardó–Mercè Rodoreda Library

The hidden secrets of science (1 session)

• 12/23, 5:30 PM – Zona Nord Library

For ages 9 to 12

Electric paper animals (4 sessions)ç

• 12/24, 11:00 AM – Can Fabra Library

• 12/29, 11:00 AM – Guinardó–Mercè Rodoreda Library

• 12/29, 5:30 PM – Bonnemaison Library

• 12/30, 10:00 AM – Trinitat Vella Library

Create a hologram projector (3 sessions)

• 12/22, 11:00 AM – Jaume Fuster Library

• 12/22, 5:30 PM – Bonnemaison Library

• 12/31, 11:00 AM – Nou Barris Library

The basics of programming (2 sessions)

• 12/23, 10:00 AM – Sant Gervasi–Joan Maragall Library

• 12/29, 5:30 PM – Jaume Fuster Library

Through these workshops, Barcelona Activa reinforces its commitment to scientific and technological outreach for children, promoting vocations and bringing knowledge closer through hands-on experiences. During the school holidays, the EstàsON workshops become creative and accessible learning spaces where children can experiment, build, and discover in local environments such as the city's libraries.

Check the full program and all the details of the activities on the Consorci de Biblioteques de Barcelona website.

Barcelona Activa, the economic promotion agency of the Barcelona City Council, has launched “Literal”, a new campaign aimed at bringing youth the services and programs that support professional training, job search, and entrepreneurship. Under the slogan “Everything possible. Everything real. Literal.”, the initiative aims to connect with the current needs of youth and offer them support in defining their professional path.

The campaign focuses on raising awareness of the Barcelona Activa Youth services, specifically targeted at people aged 16 to 29 who are seeking guidance, training, or new job opportunities. Among the offerings are orientation and reskilling programs, professional certificates, Trade Workshops, Dual Vocational Training (FPO), as well as technological training and the IT Academy. The service also includes personalized advice, job search support, and specific programs for entrepreneurs.

The service is available at the Barcelona Activa Convent (Plaça de Pons i Clerch, 2), Monday to Friday, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and combines training, guidance, and community building to promote quality employment.

Each year, the Youth service assists thousands of young people who are looking to redefine their professional future and access training or career paths tailored to their needs.

Interested individuals can visit the official Barcelona Activa Youth website and follow campaign updates through Instagram and TikTok social media.

Barcelona is preparing to host the fourth edition of the City and Science Biennial, an event that, between 18th and 23rd November, 2025, will connect science with the citizenship through talks, activities, and interactive workshops.

The Biennial will focus on current issues such as the quantum revolution, artificial intelligence, and the role of women in science. The aim is to bring scientific and technological advances closer to the general public and encourage reflection on how these changes are transforming our society

One of the new features of this edition is the collaboration of entities, specifically the Barcelona Activa Convent for Young People, which will participate with activities aimed at training and professional development, focused on preparing for new job challenges in the scientific and technological sectors.

Among the proposals promoted by the Convent, the following are worth highlighting:

• Coding the future: exploring artificial intelligence (18/11): An activity that will allow attendees to learn how artificial intelligence is already transforming various aspects of our daily lives.

• Curious minds: Careers in the scientific and technological fields (19/11): A session that focuses on job opportunities within the expanding science and technology sectors.

• The (in)visible ingenuity: a journey through the history of women pioneers in science and technology (20/11): A reminder of the female figures who have been essential in science and technology.

• Sharing experiences in the ICT field: Insights from a young professional (21/11): An activity that will connect young people interested in the technological world with professionals in the sector, offering an overview of career possibilities and paths in this field.

• The collapse of the qubit: audiovisual show – mapping (21/11): An audiovisual mapping show created by students of the Barcelona Activa Performing Arts Workshop, which explores quantum physics through light, image and sound.

This event presents a unique opportunity for the public to discover how science, technology, and scientific research are shaping our future. With a diverse programme that includes talks, interactive workshops, exhibitions, and fun activities, the public can explore the latest developments in science and technology in an accessible and enriching way.

You can consult the complete programme of the City and Science Biennial 2025 on the official web of the event.

Microcredentials are short, specialized training programs that allow you to quickly and flexibly acquire specific skills. Offered by Barcelona Activa in collaboration with Catalan universities, these programs provide a recognized European accreditation, registered in Europass, and are aligned with current challenges such as digital transition, sustainability, and social inclusion. Moreover, they focus on high-demand professional areas and cater to individual needs through different formats: in-person, virtual, or hybrid. 

These programs are organized into two key areas: Blue Economy, which includes programs related to the sustainable management of water resources and marine conservation, and Care Economy, covering fields like caregiving and healthcare. These courses provide hands-on training that enables participants to enhance their skills and tackle work challenges with up-to-date knowledge. 

The program is open to individuals seeking to redirect their professional path or improve their career prospects in emerging sectors. To apply for the selection process, interested candidates must complete the registration through the Barcelona Activa website. Participants will be invited to an informational session, where they will undergo an interview to validate the specific requirements for each microcredential. 

The program offers focused and effective training, ideal for those looking to update their skills in a short amount of time. Additionally, the certifications earned open up new job opportunities in growing sectors and improve participants’ working conditions. For more information on the registration process and session schedule, visit the Barcelona Activa website. 

Barcelona Activa has opened the application period for a new edition of the B-STEP programme, an initiative aimed at startups in the sports and physical activity sector looking to validate and consolidate their projects. Applications will be open until 20 February, and the programme is scheduled to start on 25 March.

B-STEP is a free support programme promoted by Barcelona Activa within the framework of the Barcelona Sports Hub, in collaboration with AticcoLab and INDESCAT. Its goal is to support emerging projects in the sports sector through specialised mentoring, training, workspace and connections with the professional ecosystem.

The programme targets startups operating in the field of sport or physical activity, especially those in the prototyping phase or in the process of validating their business model. The company does not need to be formally established. Projects related to areas such as wearables, e-sports, sports apps and software, or fantasy sports are eligible to apply.

B-STEP is structured in two phases. In the first phase, up to 20 startups will be selected from all applications to take part in an intensive five-day bootcamp, from 9 to 13 March 2026. During this stage, participants will work on defining their business model and project pitch, and a specialised jury will select the 12 startups that will advance to the second phase of the programme.

The selected startups will take part in a four-month incubation programme and will have access to a workspace at the Coworking Space of the Glòries Incubator. Throughout the programme, they will receive personalised mentoring, specialised training and take part in networking activities aimed at generating synergies and collaboration opportunities within the sports ecosystem. The programme will conclude with a closing event, during which the winning project will be announced and awarded a €5,000 prize.

Since its launch, B-STEP has held five editions, involved 85 startups and contributed to the creation of 50 companies, consolidating its position as a benchmark programme for sports entrepreneurship in the city.

Interested startups can find full information about the B-STEP programme and submit their application through the registration form before 20 February here.

Barcelona Activa has opened applications for a new edition of the B-DeepTech programme, an initiative designed to boost startups and projects working with disruptive and deep tech technologies. This call aims to support these initiatives in their early stages, providing them with the necessary resources to accelerate their growth and consolidation in the market.

B-DeepTech is a specialised support programme that, in collaboration with Impulse to Grow, offers participants the guidance they need to develop their technological solutions. The programme targets initiatives that use advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, robotics, biotechnology, blockchain and other disruptive innovations. Selected projects will receive expert advice and personalised mentoring to ensure their ideas are viable and competitive in the market.

B-DeepTech participants will have access to specialised training, personalised support and connections with the innovation and research ecosystem. In addition, the programme facilitates access to deep tech talent networks and funding opportunities, opening up new possibilities for growth and expansion for participating projects. To date, more than 90 projects have taken part in the programme, 72% have created their own company and 50% have launched a product on the market, contributing to the dynamism of the city’s technological ecosystem.

With this new edition, Barcelona Activa reinforces its commitment to promoting innovation and entrepreneurship in the deep tech sector, one of the areas with the greatest growth potential in the global technology landscape.

Find more information here and submit your application via the registration form.

Barcelona Activa has opened registrations for a new edition of the INICIA programme, designed to help women entrepreneurs launch their business projects. During the first half of 2026, the programme will run four editions, with the aim of reaching a greater number of projects and responding to the growing demand for support for female entrepreneurship. This initiative is part of the LIDERA platform and offers training and guidance for women who want to turn their business ideas into viable companies. 

The first edition will start on 3 February 2026, in the afternoon, in a hybrid format (online/on-site), and will support up to 15 entrepreneurial projects. 

The INICIA programme is delivered in different time formats. The morning edition has a total duration of 94 hours, spread over 25 sessions, while the afternoon edition consists of 62 hours divided into 30 sessions. Throughout the programme, participants receive guidance in key areas such as business plan development, tax and labour management, marketing strategy and access to funding, as well as personalised mentoring tailored to the needs of each project. 

To date, more than 100 editions of the INICIA programme have been delivered, contributing to the consolidation of numerous entrepreneurial projects across the city and reaffirming its role as a key tool in supporting female entrepreneurship. 

Participation in the INICIA programme requires prior attendance at an information session. The upcoming sessions will take place on 29 January, 5 March and 8 April. Sign up for the session that best suits you and learn all the details of the programme before submitting your application. 

The major international event in the audiovisual sector returns to Barcelona with a new edition of Integrated Systems Europe (ISE). This year, the fair will be held from February 3 to 6 at Fira Gran Via in Barcelona and will once again turn the city into a meeting point for the sector, showcasing proposals and trends related to audiovisuals, systems integration, and technologies applied to professional and creative environments. 

Barcelona Activa will be part of the fair with a 329 square meter stand shared with the City of Barcelona and the Clúster Audiovisual de Catalunya, 64m2 larger than in 2025. The space will showcase municipal initiatives and resources to boost economic activity, innovation, and business growth, and will present services and programs related to entrepreneurship and the development of audiovisual and technological sector projects. 

At ISE, Barcelona Activa will be present at stand CS240, located in the Congress Square area. It will highlight the Betevé set, with live broadcasts and round tables, and the installation "Finestra endins" by the studio Gracias Grecia, which reflects on the transition from architectural to digital windows, emphasizing that the essence of Barcelona is its human fabric. Additionally, this piece strengthens Barcelona’s position as the World Capital of Architecture 2026. 

Throughout the fair, the stand will also serve as a meeting point to foster connections between professionals and companies, generating opportunities. In this edition, Barcelona Activa will support 15 successful companies, which will present their proposals: Emogg, Framemov, Estudio Gurugú, Produktia, Flopwork + blit.studio, Into Reality, Animm, It’s On, Jupiter Innovation Lab, JCS, RepScan, Somia, Stage Twin, Dinamon. 

The celebration of ISE in Barcelona strengthens the city’s international projection and its position as a hub for innovation and talent in the creative and digital industries. For more information about ISE and our stand, please visit this link. 

Barcelona Activa has launched B·Credits, a new financing tool aimed at facilitating credit access for small businesses and self-employed workers in the city. With a total budget of €4,000,000, the program will grant up to 160 loans of €25,000 to promote investment, consolidate projects, and strengthen local economic activity.

The initiative is part of the municipal strategy for economic grants and investment funds to support the productive fabric. It combines a loan backed by the Catalan Finance Institute and Avalis de Catalunya with a complementary municipal subsidy. This formula, which combines financing and direct aid, aims to reduce financial costs and help viable businesses access resources under better conditions.

The loans are intended for both investment projects, such as the purchase of machinery, modernization of spaces, or digitalization processes, as well as working capital needs related to the daily operation of the business. The amount is fixed at €25,000 per operation and is directed at small businesses and self-employed workers with a social or fiscal address in Barcelona who allocate the resources to economic activities carried out within the municipal area.

Loan repayment will be made in monthly installments, with a maximum term of up to 10 years and the possibility of an initial grace period of 12 months, followed by 48 months of amortization. The program will remain operational until the funds are exhausted, with the expected deadline for formalization set for June 30, 2027. This time window offers a broad margin for projects to be presented and properly developed.

The application process will be fully online through the official program page, where interested individuals and businesses can consult the requirements, documentation, and application procedure. The request begins with the loan and, once approved, the complementary subsidy can be requested.

With B·Credits, Barcelona Activa reinforces its commitment to local economic development and provides the business community with a specific tool to reduce barriers to accessing financing. Detailed information and the application form will be available soon on the official program page. 

Barcelona Activa has celebrated the closure of the last edition of the Programa Singulars in a commemorative event that coincided with its 10th anniversary. The project marks the end of a decade of work during which it has become a key tool to improve the employability of young people aged 18 to 29 with difficulties in entering the labor market or at risk of disengaging from the educational system. Over these ten years, the program has supported more than 3,300 young people, with outstanding results in job placement and educational return. 

The Programa Singulars has provided comprehensive support based on personalized guidance, professional training, internships in companies, and, in some pathways, job placement. This combination has made it possible to facilitate real transitions to the labor market or return to educational pathways, adapting to the needs and opportunities of the city’s economic fabric. In total, 158 training pathways have been deployed in high-demand sectors and trades with a lack of generational replacement. 

The impact of the program over these 10 years is significant: 50% of the participants have entered the labor market, and of these, 40% have been hired with quality contracts, lasting more than six months or indefinite. Furthermore, 8% of the young people have returned to the educational system, either to compulsory education, high school, or vocational training. 78% have obtained official professional certifications, which strengthens their qualifications and employability. 

The 2025 edition, the final and last one of the program, included 173 young participants in two action lines: Guaranteed Success BCN and Professional Opportunities in Municipal Markets and Local Commerce. This edition has promoted 13 training courses in sectors such as commerce, food, catering, installations, logistics, and leisure, with a total of 66 contracts, 11 of which are indefinite. 

The program has been promoted by the Catalan Public Employment Service (SOC) and financed with funds from the State Public Employment Service (SEPE), with the collaboration of more than 2,700 companies and training and social entities. 

Barcelona Activa reaffirms its commitment to youth employment and will continue offering alternatives and services aimed at young people aged 16 to 29 through short-term programs and activities focused on training, guidance, and improving professional skills. 

You can consult all the information about services and programs for young people on the official Barcelona Activa Joves website. 

LIDERA, Barcelona Activa, the space for women's professional development, closes 2025 with a strengthened agenda of activities and the inauguration of a new podcast studio. These new features offer more opportunities to grow professionally, expand your network of contacts, share knowledge and give visibility to projects in an environment of female support and leadership.

The activities programmed combine practical training, networking dynamics and specialized sessions on leadership, communication, strategic planning and finance. The agenda includes the following sessions:

• Confidence in leadership, voice to impact (Women entrepreneurs and managers). From 2nd to 11th December, at 12 noon.
   

• LIDERA Day – PWN: Women Speaking Club. 3rd December at 6.30pm.
   

• Focus your business for 2026. Plan your operational and financial strategy for the coming year (Self-employed women). From 9th December to 12th January, at 9am.
   

• Networking LIDERA: Charisma + AI to lead sales in 2026. 18th December at 9.45am.
   

• Let's Talk Finances Conference. The business relationship with banking: from creation to growth. 21st December at 9.30am.

All activities are carried out in person in the LIDERA space, which has meeting rooms, collaborative work areas and meeting spaces to facilitate connection and collaboration between participants. As a new feature, it incorporates a podcast studio, which allows users to give visibility to their projects, share knowledge and create content in a practical way, with technical support available to facilitate their use.

In addition to the scheduled LIDERA activities, sessions are also offered of labour coaching for women, a dynamic of professional guidance to define work goals, manage change processes and advance the job search in a practical way adapted to each participant.

With this variety of resources, LIDERA consolidates itself as a key environment for the growth, leadership and professional empowerment of women, reinforcing Barcelona Activa's commitment to gender equality and continued support for female talent.

Consult the website of LIDERA and discover all the resources available for women in Barcelona

Barcelona Activa has held the recognition event for the participants of the Integral Projects with Hiring, an initiative that this year has hired 523 people who were unemployed and has deployed 123 employment projects throughout the city. The programme has had an investment of 9.5 million euros. 

The PICs have the collaboration of more than 30 municipal organisations, including districts, consortiums and management areas, and are related to five major areas: arrangement and maintenance of public facilities and spaces, environment and urban sustainability, promotion of economic activity, tourism and commerce, community services, and information and communication technologies.

They are aimed at unemployed people residing in Barcelona, ​​registered with the SOC (Catalan Employment Service), with special priority given to those who have the most difficulty in joining the labour market. The programme is implemented in three priority lines:

• Priority neighbourhoods: for people residing in neighbourhoods with lower socioeconomic indicators.

• Vulnerable groups: aimed at people with special difficulty accessing the labor market, such as long-term unemployed people or people over 40 years old.

• Strategic projects: to promote plans and projects that drive the local economy

The projects combine training, job recruitment and technical support to facilitate reintegration into the job market and promote employability and social cohesion in the city. Participants complete 50 to 100-hour itineraries in cross-cutting skills, occupational risk prevention and job search techniques, develop practical experience in activities of public and social interest, and receive tutoring and personalised support to enhance their employability and access to the job market.

According to official data, 47% of participants in the 2024 edition found work in the six months following the programme, consolidating PICs as an effective way to return to work and improve professional skills.

Find out all about the information about the Integral Projects with Hiring on the official website of the Pics of Barcelona Activa.

The Labor Rights Defense Points (PDDLL), promoted by Barcelona Activa, provide information about the legal framework that regulates and protects contractual relations in labor matters. This advisory service is designed to ensure that everyone, regardless of their labor situation, can access the knowledge and support needed to prevent labor violations.

The PDDLL is aimed at salaried workers, self-employed individuals, small businesses and contractors. If you're a young person up to 35 years old, you can also access the Youth Labor Advisory Service, a specialized service for young people.

Three main resources are offered to help the public protect their labor rights: personalized advice, information about labor rights and duties, and group training sessions.

Personalized legal advice is provided in labor law and social security matters, both in-person and by phone. For both types of assistance, prior appointment is required, and you will receive support from a specialized labor lawyer to resolve doubts and offer legal guidance.

Information about labor rights and duties covers topics such as the interpretation of employment contracts, rights to work-life balance, teleworking, and dismissals, among others. It is a useful tool for those who want to clarify general doubts about their contract or working conditions.

Group training sessions allow collectives, associations, and entities to request specific training on labor rights. These sessions are designed to provide information on key topics such as the most common labor rights and best labor practices. Entities can request these sessions tailored to the needs of their group or sector.

The Labor Rights Defense Points offer specialized information on all areas related to working conditions, such as types of contracts, working hours and overtime, pay and salaries, work-life balance, social security, benefits, and teleworking, thus contributing to ensuring more informed and secure labor relations.

This municipal service is complemented with information and actions from the trade unions CCOO and UGT, thereby expanding the coverage and resources available to the public.

For more information and to schedule an appointment, you can consult the official website. For general inquiries, the phone number 900 533 175 is available.

The Professional Life Project (ProVP) is a Barcelona Activa programme, promoted jointly with the Barcelona Education Consortium, FemCAT and the BCN Vocational Training Foundation, which helps students from the city's educational centres to guide their academic and professional future. With more than 20 years of experience, it facilitates decision-making and acts as a bridge between education and the professional world.

The programme is adapted to each educational stage, from primary school to vocational training, and proposes thematic blocks in the format of workshops, talks and participatory activities. Aspects such as vocational guidance, work values ​​and attitudes, rights and duties at work and active job search are addressed. Interest in the social and solidarity economy, gender equality and STEM (scientific and technological) vocations is also fostered.

Among the new and most innovative proposals in the programme, the following are worth highlighting:

• Practise the job interview with an avatar, an activity based on generative artificial intelligence that allows students to train their communication skills in selection processes.

• Labour regatta: discover the blue economy, a gamified dynamic to discover new professional sectors. This has the collaboration of expert entities such as the Port of Barcelona, ​​Costa Cruceros and the Escola Europea.

In the last edition, more than 13,700 students from 186 secondary, baccalaureate and vocational training schools in Barcelona participated. The results showed a high level of satisfaction on the part of the participating schools. The Professional Life Project has become a benchmark in youth guidance and is part of the municipal commitment to connecting education and employment, promoting vocations with social values ​​and a future

Interested educational centres can carry out their registration to ProVP through the Barcelona Activa website or contact the Youth Employment Service at barcelonatreball.joves@barcelonactiva.cat or by calling 931 517 605.

Discover how the Professional Life Project accompanies young people in Barcelona to find their vocation and build a future with values.

The Start-up Lab is the reference innovation environment located at the Glòries Campus of Barcelona Activa. It is part of the Entrepreneurship area of ​​Barcelona Activa, which promotes initiatives from the initial idea to scalability, with the aim of promoting a competitive, sustainable business fabric with a global vocation.

The space offers the emerging companies hosted personalised support in strategy and business development, mentoring with professionals in the sector and connection with reference networks such as 22@ Network or Tech Barcelona.

Hosted companies also have access to public and private funding through instruments such as ENISA, CDTI or venture capital funds, as well as unique spaces that promote creativity and collaboration: meeting rooms, networking areas, recording studio, podcast room and the Yin Room, a space dedicated to well-being and innovation.

In addition, support in UX, prototyping and intellectual property is included, helping startups grow with solidity and a strategic vision.

The Start-up Lab has been the starting point for companies that are today benchmarks in the technological and digital sector, such as Tiendeo, Hola Luz, Signaturit, Heura Foods or Social Point. It currently hosts emerging projects with great potential, such as Reveal Genomics, that revolutionises precision oncology; Nixi for Children, that helps children face medical procedures with virtual reality; or Bamboo Energy, dedicated to sustainable energy management.

With more than 700 companies that have passed through the hosting spaces and 36 projects currently located in the Start-up Lab, Barcelona Activa reinforces its commitment to the city's entrepreneurial ecosystem, offering an environment where projects can grow, connect and generate real impact.

Interested companies can apply to be hosted at the Start-up Lab through the online form. For more information, you can visit the Barcelona Activa website or write to emprenedoria@barcelonactiva.cat