Barcelona Deep Tech Summit 2026 returns to position Barcelona as the epicenter of scientific and technological innovation

Barcelona Deep Tech Summit 2026 returns to position Barcelona as the epicenter of scientific and technological innovation
From November 3 to 5, Fira de Barcelona - Gran Via will host a new edition of the event as part of the Smart City Expo World Congress
Barcelona, 29 Jul 2026
The Barcelona Deep Tech Summit 2026 will hold a new edition from November 3 to 5 at Fira de Barcelona's Gran Via venue, as part of the Smart City Expo World Congress. The event will bring together some of the leading players in the European Deep Tech ecosystem to foster knowledge transfer and accelerate the market adoption of disruptive technologies.
The summit will gather startups, spin-offs, research centers, universities, corporations, investors, and institutions in an environment designed to create strategic connections, identify collaboration opportunities, and accelerate the development of high-impact projects based on science and technology.
The 2026 program will revolve around three major thematic areas: Augmented Human, Deep Intelligence, and Corporate Frontier. These pillars will provide a framework for exploring emerging trends and key challenges in advanced innovation, from research and development to business applications and commercialization.
During the three days of the summit, attendees will have the opportunity to participate in conferences and keynote sessions featuring international thought leaders such as Dirk Didascalou (Siemens), Ilana Wisby (Cambridge Innovation Capital), Ana Casaca (GALP) and Carlos García-Galán (NASA), as well as panel discussions, success story presentations, pitch sessions in front of investors and large corporations, networking activities, and personalized B2B meetings. The program will also include an exhibition area dedicated to Deep Tech startups and spaces for technology demonstrations.
Over the years, the Barcelona Deep Tech Summit has established itself as one of Europe’s leading events for applied scientific innovation. The initiative helps strengthen Barcelona’s position as an international hub in strategic fields such as artificial intelligence, digital health, robotics, quantum computing, photonics, and space technologies.
More information about the program and registration is available on the official Barcelona Deep Tech Summit website.
We offer five career coaching pathways to boost your professional journey

We offer five career coaching pathways to boost your professional journey
The programme supports people who are unemployed or looking to redirect their professional career by helping them define their goals, strengthen their skills and move towards new job opportunities
Barcelona, 17 Jul 2026
The group career coaching sessions help participants identify their strengths, gain confidence in decision-making and create a personalised action plan to achieve their professional goals and improve their employability.
The programme combines coaching tools, personal development work and spaces for group reflection. The sessions help participants build confidence, face professional challenges and share experiences with people in similar employment situations.
The offer includes five pathways adapted to different profiles and career stages. Short-term coaching makes it possible to work on specific skills and address concrete situations through practical activities such as How we face professional change or Make time work for you.
People under the age of 30 can take part in career coaching for young people, a pathway designed to help them define their professional goal, strengthen self-awareness and identify their own skills. This pathway also includes local editions, such as career coaching for young people in Sants-Montjuïc, bringing the service closer to different neighbourhoods in the city.
For people who want to redirect their professional career or give new momentum to their employment path, career coaching +30 offers tools to work on decision-making, personal branding, networking and the definition of a realistic action plan aligned with their professional goals.
People over the age of 45 can access career coaching +45 a space designed to strengthen confidence, highlight accumulated experience and acquire strategies to successfully approach job searching or professional reorientation processes.
The offer is completed with career coaching for women, a proposal that encourages the identification of strengths, professional empowerment and the overcoming of gender-related barriers. This pathway includes the programme LIDERA Women’s Coaching. Boost your career, aimed at promoting female talent and supporting professional development.
All available pathways and activities can be consulted in Barcelona Activa’s career coaching section.
This summer, Barcelona Activa remains at your service

This summer, Barcelona Activa remains at your service
During August, facilities will adapt their opening hours, spaces and service channels to ensure the continuity of services for citizens, companies and organisations in the city.
Barcelona, 24 Jul 2026
In the area of business support, the Technology Park will remain open with reception hours from 8 am to 3 pm. The Business Support Office will also remain operational, from 8.30 am to 2.30 pm, to support the city’s business community.
Entrepreneurship services will also operate with adapted August opening hours. The Entrepreneurship Centre will remain open with reception hours from 8 am to 3 pm.
In the area of employment and career guidance, Porta22 will keep its group activity classrooms open during August. Due to renovation works at the facility, the information and advisory service will be provided at the Entrepreneurship Centre. On 31 August, Porta22 will resume its standard opening hours.
El Convent will resume its service from 24 to 28 August, from 8.30 am to 3 pm. On 31 August, it will return to its usual opening hours, supported by the 900 533 175 phone line for booking appointments. Exceptionally, the facility will remain closed from 1 to 23 August.
As for the Espais Activa, Sants-Montjuïc Activa will remain open from 9 am to 2 pm and from 3 pm to 6 pm, while Sant Andreu Activa will close throughout August.
The Labour Rights Defence Points will offer remote support during August. They will not provide services during the weeks of 10 and 17 August.
Technology training will also adapt its in-person calendar. Cibernàrium 22@ will open from 3 to 7 August and from 24 to 28 August, from 9 am to 3 pm. On 31 August, it will resume its 9 am to 9 pm opening hours. Exceptionally, it will close from 10 to 21 August. The online training offer will remain available throughout the summer period. In the case of Cibernàrium Nou Barris, public service will be provided at the Technology Park reception, with the same opening hours, from 8 am to 8 pm, except during August, when the hours will be from 8 am to 3 pm.
In the area of social and impact economy, InnoBA Ca n’Andalet will keep its Monday to Friday opening hours, from 7.30 am to 9 pm, outside the closure period, which will run from 8 to 23 August.
LIDERA will open from 3 to 7 August and on 31 August, from 9 am to 4 pm. It will remain closed from 10 to 28 August. From 1 September, it will resume its usual opening hours.
Finally, Barcelona Activa’s Headquarters will remain open throughout the month, with reception hours from 8 am to 3 pm.
Check the opening hours and locations of the different facilities in the city and the online training activities available during August.
Keep learning this summer with our online activities

Keep learning this summer with our online activities
The programme includes training in employment, entrepreneurship, business and technology to help you acquire new skills during the summer months
Barcelona, 16 Jul 2026
Making the most of this period to continue learning can be a great way to prepare for new professional challenges. A range of online activities will remain available throughout the summer so that jobseekers, entrepreneurs, companies and professionals can update their knowledge and strengthen their skills.
In the field of employment, there are courses to improve professional profiles, career guidance activities for those considering a change in direction, and workshops on communication, leadership, planning and job searching. There are also specific activities for young people and organisations. See all Employment activities and training courses.
For entrepreneurs, the programme includes training on preparing business and financial plans, funding, business management, physical and digital commerce, project presentations and business digitalisation. You can check the Entrepreneurship activities agenda and the range of in-person, online and live-streamed courses.
The programme for companies includes activities on business management, funding and sales strategies, as well as MOOC courses on taxation, setting up a company and digital transformation. All the information is available in the Training and support for companies section.
In terms of technology, Cibernàrium offers training in programming, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, digital marketing, Python, Power BI, Microsoft 365, WordPress, Adobe and online administrative procedures. The activities are available through the 24/7 online courses and the Virtual Classroom.
Make the most of this summer to continue progressing professionally, develop new skills and start September with new knowledge and tools to face new challenges.
Startup Lab Day brings together the entrepreneurial community to foster new connections and share the impact of startups

Startup Lab Day brings together the entrepreneurial community to foster new connections and share the impact of startups
The first edition of the annual gathering highlights Barcelona Activa’s role in supporting startups and strengthens connections among projects incubated over the past years
Barcelona, 01 Jul 2026
Yesterday marked the first edition of Startup Lab Day, an event that brought together startups currently in incubation, companies that have taken part in incubation programmes over recent years, and individuals connected to entrepreneurship support services.
The event was created with the aim of becoming an annual meeting point to strengthen ties within the entrepreneurial community, generate new synergies, and consolidate a collaborative network among the different entrepreneurial projects that have been part of the city’s innovation ecosystem.
During the event, a report was presented analysing the evolution of startups supported over the last ten years and highlighting the impact of support services on their development and growth. The report provides an overview of the companies assisted, outlines the contribution of resources such as incubation programmes, support in accessing funding and talent acquisition, and showcases success stories in fields such as health, deep tech, data, sustainability, and the creative industries.
The programme also included a panel discussion featuring startup founders, who shared their experiences and key lessons learned throughout their entrepreneurial journeys, as well as an inspiring keynote on technology, supercomputing, and artificial intelligence.
The gathering provided an opportunity to reconnect companies from different generations, exchange experiences, and showcase the strength of the entrepreneurial network built over the years. It also fostered new connections between startups, encouraged knowledge sharing, and reinforced relationships across the city’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Retail and hospitality showcase their career opportunities through a programme of activities in July

Retail and hospitality showcase their career opportunities through a programme of activities in July
The programme combines online and in-person sessions to present sector trends, the most valued skills and facilitate contact between companies and jobseekers
Barcelona, 26 Jun 2026
Throughout July, the Retail and Hospitality Programme will take place as a series of career guidance activities aimed at people looking for work, seeking professional development or interested in changing their career path.
The programme aims to offer an up-to-date view of retail and hospitality, two strategic sectors for Barcelona’s economy and urban life. The initiative also seeks to connect talent with companies and professional opportunities at a time of transformation marked by digitalisation, sustainability, new consumer habits and customer experience.
The programme includes five online and in-person activities. On 6 July, the Talent Talk: Retail Tech will focus on the digitalisation of retail and the key digital skills for the sector. The following day, the workshop Find out about the most valued skills in these sectors will help participants identify and work on the most in-demand professional skills.
On 13 July, a sectoral event with retail companies will take place to present the current state of the sector within the framework of the European Capital of Commerce 2026. The session will include a contextual presentation by Silvia Ruiz, Director of Trade, Hospitality and Food Services at Barcelona City Council, as well as a round table and a networking space with professionals and companies from the sector.
The programme will continue on 17 July with Coffee with Areas, an in-person session to get to know this travel hospitality company, discover job opportunities and interact with its people team. The programme will close on 21 July with the Talent Talk: Sustainable and Digital Hospitality, focused on the impact of these areas on the sector and on new professional profiles.
With this initiative, Barcelona Activa strengthens its role as a benchmark in career guidance linked to the city’s strategic sectors and provides tools, knowledge and spaces for connection to improve participants’ employability.
Barcelona hosts a new edition of the career guidance conference with more than 300 participants

Barcelona hosts a new edition of the career guidance conference with more than 300 participants
The event reinforces its role as a leading forum for sharing knowledge and addressing current challenges in career guidance
Barcelona, 22 Jun 2026
More than 300 people took part in the second edition of the Barcelona Technical Conference on Career Guidance, held at the Disseny Hub Barcelona. The event has established itself as a space for reflection, debate, knowledge exchange, and networking for professionals in the sector.
The conference addressed some of the main challenges of the labour market, such as the triple green, digital, and demographic transition, the use of artificial intelligence in guidance processes, generational replacement in different professions, and support for people who have benefited from the extraordinary regularisation process for migrants.
The event featured 26 expert speakers and combined keynote presentations, round tables, workshops, and discussion sessions. The sessions focused on data-driven guidance, service personalisation, and the need to support individuals throughout their entire professional journey.
During the day, experiences related to the application of artificial intelligence in learning and job search processes were also presented. In the afternoon, activities explored quality employment linked to the extraordinary regularisation process and new guidance models aimed at anticipating labour market changes.
In 2025, more than 12.000 people used Barcelona Activa guidance services. The conference is part of the Barcelona Agreement for Quality Employment 2021–2030 (ABOQ), which aims to promote more equitable employment and facilitate citizens’ access to the labour market.
If you need advice, discover the services and specific programmes offered by Barcelona Activa.
New cycle of career guidance activities focused on the logistics sector

New cycle of career guidance activities focused on the logistics sector
Throughout June, a series of activities will connect talent with career opportunities in logistics, transport and supply chain management
Barcelona, 22 May 2026
The programme includes activities with companies from the sector, sessions focused on key trends and professional profiles, networking opportunities, and participation in leading events such as the International Logistics Exhibition (SIL). Participants will have the chance to learn first-hand about new career opportunities driven by sustainability, digitalisation and the transformation of production and distribution models.
The session on 5 June will include a round table with professionals from CAMPER, SEAT, REVLON and ICIL Foundation, a session on sustainability and green logistics, and talks on key skills for the sector. It will also include spaces focused on job searching and career planning, with guidance to help participants connect with companies’ current needs
Aimed at people looking for work or seeking to improve their employability, the programme is designed to connect talent with companies and offer an up-to-date view of a sector undergoing major transformation. Throughout the sessions, participants will learn about the most in-demand professional profiles and the emerging skills opening up new career opportunities.
The initiative reinforces its role as a benchmark in career guidance linked to the city’s strategic sectors, offering practical tools to support career planning or career changes in a field with strong demand for talent.
The 2026 “Impulsem el que fas” call opens with grants of up to 40,000 euros

The 2026 “Impulsem el que fas” call opens with grants of up to 40,000 euros
The tenth edition introduces eight funding streams to support community-based initiatives linked to the city’s key challenges and strategic sectors, allocating €2.7 million to strengthen the local economy.
Barcelona, 18 Jun 2026
The 2026 call for applications for the “Impulsem el que fas” (We boost what you do) grant programme is now open. The initiative is designed to support local projects that help address the needs, opportunities and challenges faced by the city’s residents.
This new edition has a total budget of €2.7 million, representing a 9.4% increase compared to 2025. The programme offers grants of up to €40,000 per project and includes eight funding streams aimed at strengthening strategic sectors and tackling priority challenges for Barcelona. Applicants may apply to only one funding stream and one subcategory.
The call is open to self-employed professionals, sole traders and legal entities with a registered office, branch or workplace located in the municipality of Barcelona. Applicants must be duly established and operational at the time of submission and meet at least one of the following criteria: an annual turnover not exceeding €1 million in the highest-grossing year between 2024 and 2025, or a workforce of no more than 20 full-time employees at the time of application.
Funded projects must have a maximum duration of 12 months and must commence during 2026. Within each subcategory, applicants may submit up to two project actions. The grant may cover up to 80% of the total project cost, with beneficiaries providing a minimum 20% co-financing contribution. The order of access to funding will be determined by a draw.
To apply, applicants must complete the online grant application form, register their submission through the Barcelona City Council’s Virtual Procedures Office and upload the required supporting documentation.
The application period is open from 17 June to 17 July 2026. Interested applicants can consult the programme guidelines, application handbook and information session schedule on the Barcelona Activa website.
The Care Economy Hub incorporates Suara and Eurecat to strengthen Barcelona’s position as a leader in innovation in the sector

The Care Economy Hub incorporates Suara and Eurecat to strengthen Barcelona’s position as a leader in innovation in the sector
The new facility completes the rollout of its lines of activity and reinforces the city’s commitment to strategic sectors
Barcelona, 12 Jun 2026
We continues to advance the development of the Care Economy Hub with the incorporation of Suara Cooperativa and Eurecat as leaders of its innovation and ecosystem engagement lines. This appointment completes the network of key partners involved in the hub’s development.
Located at 165 Almogàvers Street, the hub comprises 5,417 m² across six floors and is structured around three main lines of activity: talent and training, innovation, and ecosystem engagement. The facility began operating partially in September 2025 with the launch of its training line, delivered by the Barcelona Education Consortium through the Hospital del Mar Vocational Training Institute for Health Professions.
The new innovation line will focus on promoting co-creation, testing and validation projects for innovative solutions in the care sector, as well as incubation and acceleration programmes for new business projects. At the same time, the ecosystem engagement line will work to establish the hub as a reference space for the different stakeholders connected to the care economy.
The project forms part of the government measure “Barcelona cap al dret a la cura 2025–2030” (Barcelona Towards the Right to Care 2025–2030), which recognises care as a strategic sector for the city’s economic and social development. Its aim is to contribute to the professionalisation of the sector, foster innovation and promote the creation of quality employment.
The incorporation of Suara and Eurecat coincides with the first Inter-Hubs Conference, which brought together representatives from the different economic activity hubs promoted by Barcelona City Council through Barcelona Activa. The strategy currently includes five active hubs focused on sectors such as the creative industries, the circular economy, digital talent, women’s leadership and the care economy, as well as a sixth hub currently being conceptualised around architecture and urban innovation.
These economic activity hubs are designed to accelerate the growth of strategic sectors, attract talent, entrepreneurship and investment, and strengthen the competitiveness of the city’s economy through public-private collaboration. Their rollout forms part of the Barcelona Impulsa strategy, the city’s economic development roadmap until 2035.
The Digital Talent hub takes part in the Nou Barris Town festival with activities open to local residents

he Digital Talent hub takes part in the Nou Barris Town festival with activities open to local residents
The programme includes a guided tour of the Technology Park and a family activity to explore nanoscience in a practical and participatory way
Barcelona, 05 May 2026
As part of the Nou Barris Town Festival, the digital Talent Hub is opening its doors to the public with two activities designed to make technology, innovation and opportunities in the digital sector more accessible to all audiences.
The first activity is a guided tour of the Technology Park, offering a close look at this strategic city project focused on training, technological development and digital inclusion. During the tour, participants will visit the different spaces that make up the digital Talent Hub and learn how they help foster talent and generate new professional opportunities in the technology sector.
This ecosystem brings together initiatives such as Cibernàrium, 42 Barcelona, Fundación ONCE’s X Talent Digital centre, the Digital Fabrication Lab and the deep tech companies at Startup Lab Nord, consolidating Nou Barris as a key hub for the development of digital talent in the city. The visit will also show how technology can become a tool for quality employment, personal development and reducing digital divide. The session will take place on 15 May, from 1 to 2 p.m., at Cibernàrium Nou Barris. Registration is available online.
The second activity, “Fem Nanociència!”, part of the EstàsON programme, is aimed at children aged 6 to 12 and their families. This participatory session invites them to explore the world of nanotechnology through hands-on experimentation. It offers a practical and dynamic introduction to the field, with experiments that help explain invisible phenomena and show real-life applications in areas such as food and health. The activity will take place on 16 May, from 10 to 10.45 a.m., also at Cibernàrium Nou Barris. Registration is available online.
Both activities require prior online registration and are part of the Town Festival programme, with the aim of making technology more accessible to the public and encouraging interest in digital and scientific fields from an inclusive and accessible perspective.
Crea Feina Barcelona 2026 opens a new call for hiring subsidies

Crea Feina Barcelona 2026 opens a new call for hiring subsidies
Subsidies of up to €15,000 per contract aim to promote quality employment and support the business ecosystem
Barcelona, 04 Jun 2026
Barcelona City Council, through Barcelona Activa, is launching a new edition of the Crea Feina Barcelona 2026 subsidies, a funding line designed to promote stable, quality employment in the city.
The call has a budget of €2 million and is expected to support around 230 new hires. The subsidies are aimed at companies, organisations and self-employed professionals that add new staff to their teams.
The amount of the subsidy, up to €15,000 per contract, varies depending on the line of action and the profile of the person hired. Priority groups include people entering their first job, long-term unemployed people, people over 45 and people in vulnerable situations. The call also includes subsidies for hiring profiles linked to research, the social and impact economy, and Dual Vocational Training.
To be eligible, contracts must be permanent and full-time, except in the Dual Vocational Training line, which provides for work-based training contracts with a minimum working time of 60%. The people hired must be registered as residents in the city of Barcelona, and the contracts must have been formalised from 1 January 2026 onwards and remain in force at the time of application.
Companies, organisations and self-employed professionals with at least one workplace in the Barcelona Metropolitan Area may apply for the subsidy, provided they are up to date with their tax and Social Security obligations and are not currently subject to employment regulation proceedings. To encourage broader participation, each applicant may request a maximum of five subsidies.
The application period is now open and will run until 30 September 2026. Interested companies can consult the terms and conditions and submit their application on the Barcelona Activa website. For enquiries about the call, please write to creafeina@barcelonactiva.cat.
(Re)activa your future promotes career guidance, mentoring and training for young people

(Re)activa el teu futur promotes career guidance, mentoring and training for young people
The programme supports young people in discovering new trades and professions through personalised guidance and accredited training
Barcelona, 29 May 2026
(Re)activa el teu futur offers guidance, mentoring and training for young people who want to explore new trades and professions, discover their interests and train in the field that best fits their professional goals.
The programme is supported by a team of young mentors with whom participants can share their concerns and interests while exploring new career opportunities. Throughout the process, participants also receive guidance from a careers advisor who helps them define and follow an individual action plan tailored to their needs.
The initiative includes activities designed to help participants discover professional interests, learn about new professions and understand what day-to-day work looks like within a company. It also offers accredited training with internships in companies in areas such as warehouse support operations, basic restaurant and bar operations, retail assistance, and administrative and general support operations.
The programme is mainly aimed at young people between the ages of 16 and 25 who live in the city of Barcelona and have completed compulsory secondary education or lower, upper secondary education, or intermediate vocational training and are looking to change career path.
Interested participants can complete the registration form for the 2026 programme and explore other youth training programmes, such as Trade Workshops or FPO Dual program, on the Barcelona Activa website.
The Barcelona Labour Rights Commission presents its 2025 Report on quality employment and the protection of labour rights

The Barcelona Labour Rights Commission presents its 2025 Report on quality employment and the protection of labour rights
The event shared the main conclusions and future priorities to strengthen institutional coordination and move towards a fairer and more equitable labour model
Barcelona, 19 May 2026
The 2025 Report of the Barcelona Labour Rights Commission was presented during the event marking 1 May, focused on the challenges of quality employment and the defence of labour rights.
The session shared the report’s main conclusions, which analyse the current and future challenges of quality employment in the city and reaffirm Barcelona City Council’s commitment to a fair and equitable labour model aligned with the Barcelona Agreement for Quality Employment (ABOQ).
The report highlights the work of the Labour Rights Defence Points, which supported 3,644 people in 2025 and have become a key service for information, advice and prevention in situations of job insecurity, particularly in more vulnerable sectors.
The document also underlines the role of the youth labour advice service and the cooperation between the Labour Inspectorate of Catalonia and the Barcelona City Police in improving the detection of labour infringements. It also notes the need to continue strengthening awareness of labour rights, especially among young people and newcomers.
Looking ahead to 2026, the report sets out a roadmap focused on strengthening training in labour rights and improving institutional coordination. The aim is to move towards a higher-quality employment model that places the protection of workers at the heart of public policy.
The full report is available on the Barcelona Activa website.
Marketplaces connect companies and talent through direct interviews and new job opportunities

Marketplaces connect companies and talent through direct interviews and new job opportunities
The sessions allow candidates to meet companies from different sectors and access recruitment processes in an agile and personalised way
Barcelona, 15 May 2026
Marketplaces are meeting spaces that bring together companies with hiring needs and people looking for new job opportunities.
Through short interviews and direct contact with recruitment teams, these sessions help streamline recruitment processes and create an initial connection between talent and companies from different sectors.
The activities are organised with leading companies in the city and in collaboration with the SOC, with the aim of connecting candidates with real job opportunities and bringing them closer to the labour market. In addition to presenting their CV directly and personally, participants can learn first-hand what companies are looking for and which skills are valued in each sector.
Marketplaces also give companies the opportunity to identify talent in a more agile and direct way, supporting more informed recruitment processes aligned with their hiring needs.
Upcoming sessions include recruitment processes with companies and sectors such as Urbaser (18 May), care services companies (19 May), Condis and companies looking for junior profiles (20 May), retail companies (27 May), ASPAYM (28 May), companies in the field of the blue economy and maritime law (28 May), and companies in the logistics and transport sector (on 5 June).
Interested candidates can check upcoming calls and register through the Barcelona Activa website, where they will also find detailed information about the professional profiles being sought and how each recruitment process works.
LIDERA welcomes a new edition of the Mentoring Dones PRO programme

LIDERA welcomes a new edition of the Mentoring Dones PRO programme
The inaugural event brought together mentors and participants to launch a support programme focused on professional growth and women’s leadership
Barcelona, 13 May 2026
Espai LIDERA hosted, on May 13, the opening event of a new edition of Mentoring Dones PRO, a programme promoted within LIDERA with the aim of fostering professional growth, talent and women’s leadership in the Barcelona.
The meeting served to welcome participants and kick off the mentoring process between mentors and mentees. During the session, the programme structure was presented and various activities were carried out to build trust, strengthen connections and create a network among participants.
The event also included the first meeting space between mentors and mentees, where pairs were able to share their initial professional goals and begin defining the mentoring journey they will develop over the coming months. The day concluded with a networking session involving all programme participants.
Mentoring Dones PRO is aimed at professional women who are currently working or going through a career transition and who want to advance their careers, access positions with greater responsibility or strengthen their leadership, especially in male-dominated sectors or areas where women face visibility challenges.
The programme combines one-to-one mentoring with group training activities, networking opportunities and inspirational talks led by women role models. In addition to supporting participants’ professional development, the initiative also aims to promote equal opportunities, strengthen women’s leadership and create a community based on support and shared learning.
Barcelona launches the European Capital of Local Commerce with more than 200 activities

Barcelona launches the European Capital of Local Commerce with more than 200 activities
The city will roll out a year-long programme to strengthen local commerce through initiatives focused on promotion, reflection and legacy
Barcelona, 29 Apr 2026
Barcelona has launched the European Capital of Local Commerce 2026 with an event at the Saló de Cent in City Hall, highlighting the strategic role of commerce in the city. The recognition distinguishes Barcelona as the first Visionary City in the category of cities with more than 250,000 inhabitants, thanks to a model based on proximity, diversity and strong local roots.
Over the next twelve months, a programme of more than 200 activities will be rolled out across the city’s ten districts. It has been designed with the participation of more than 70 organisations and sector stakeholders. The initiatives are structured around three main areas: promotion, reflection and legacy, with the aim of strengthening the commercial fabric and projecting it at European level.
Key actions include the Local Commerce Fair, which will take place on 9 and 10 May in Plaça de les Glòries; a new consumer voucher campaign to encourage purchases in local shops; and institutional recognition for businesses with 25, 50 and 100 years of history. The programme will also include debate spaces such as the European Forum of Cities and Regions for Local Commerce and the European Benchmarking Sessions, as well as the creation of the European Observatory of Local Commerce to strengthen data collection and cooperation between cities.
The capital status will also help drive new strategic lines, including the Local Commerce Strategic Plan 2035 and the Markets Plan, aimed at consolidating the sector and adapting it to current challenges. A new label will also be developed to identify businesses aligned with the values of Barcelona’s commercial model.
Commerce is a key sector for the city’s economy, representing 13.2% of Barcelona’s GDP, with more than 60,000 establishments and over 152,000 people employed. Beyond its economic impact, local commerce contributes to social cohesion, activates public space and strengthens neighbourhood life.
With this capital status, Barcelona reinforces its position as a European benchmark for local commerce and begins a year of activities to boost its visibility, competitiveness and role as an economic and social driver.
JOBarcelona connects young talent with the job market at Palau Blaugrana

JOBarcelona connects young talent with the job market at Palau Blaugrana
The event offers guidance, networking opportunities, and hands-on activities to help young people shape their professional future
Barcelona, 23 Apr 2026
On May 20, Palau Blaugrana will host a new edition of JOBarcelona, an event designed to guide and inspire students, recent graduates, and junior talent as they define their professional paths.
The event brings participants closer to the reality of the job market through first-hand accounts from professionals who share their experience, career journeys and day-to-day work across different sectors. It also provides tools to better understand the skills and profiles currently in demand, explore career opportunities and make more informed decisions about the future.
Throughout the day, attendees will be able to take part in networking sessions with companies, attend talks led by industry experts and join career guidance activities aimed at improving their CVs, receiving direct feedback and preparing to enter the job market with greater confidence.
In this context, Barcelona Activa will take part with its own stand, I4, offering personalised guidance, employment resources and entrepreneurship support. Participation in JOBarcelona strengthens our role as a benchmark in career guidance and support for young talent, bringing resources and opportunities closer to people in the early stages of their professional journey.
The event will take place from 9:45 am to 6:45 pm. Come and discover all the opportunities at JOBarcelona, and put yourself to the test with an immersive virtual reality experience designed to help you prepare for job interviews. Check the full programme and register to attend.
The Joves Protagonistes series gets underway to connect young talent with emerging sectors

The Joves Protagonistes series gets underway to connect young talent with emerging sectors
The initiative offers three sessions to explore careers linked to technology, science and sustainability through real-life testimonies
Barcelona, 16 Apr 2026
We are launching the Joves Protagonistes series, a career guidance programme aimed at young people who want to gain first-hand insight into job opportunities in sectors undergoing major change. Through three sessions scheduled between May and June, the programme introduces participants to fields such as tech-driven construction, the blue economy and nutrition, drawing on the experience of young professionals already working in these areas.
The aim of the programme is to guide and support young people so they can better understand the changes taking place in today’s labour market and imagine their future careers in sectors where technology, science and sustainability are opening up real opportunities for young talent.
The first session, on 15 May, focuses on tech-driven construction, a field in which digitalisation and innovation are reshaping professions through tools such as digital design, BIM models and more efficient processes. On 7 October, the second session will explore food and nutrition, a growing field driven by health research, new consumption patterns and the challenges of sustainable food systems. The series will conclude on 20 October with a session on the blue economy, an emerging sector that combines marine conservation with activities such as marine biology, port management and new technologies applied to the sea.
Through this approach, the initiative strengthens its commitment to developing young talent and to connecting training, guidance and new career opportunities in sectors that will be key to the future.
RevESStim el Tèxtil launches a new edition of its sustainable textile entrepreneurship programme

RevESStim el Tèxtil launches a new edition of its sustainable textile entrepreneurship programme
The initiative offers training, guidance and expert support to help entrepreneurial projects in the sector grow.
Barcelona, 14 Apr 2026
A new edition of RevESStim el Tèxtil’s sustainable textile entrepreneurship programme is now open. The initiative is designed to support and strengthen projects in the textile sector through a social and impact-driven economy approach. It is aimed at entrepreneurial initiatives with an existing project that want to better structure their proposal and consolidate it over time.
The fourth edition will begin on 28 May and run until July 2026. It will involve 20 participating initiatives and will be delivered by Fasola and Labcoop SCCL. The programme combines hybrid training, with in-person sessions at the Centre for Entrepreneurial Initiative in Glòries and online content, together with individual and group guidance and expert support.
Before the programme begins, two information sessions have been scheduled, on 21 April and 12 May, to explain how it works. Interested participants can register using the form available on the Barcelona Activa website.
RevESStim el Tèxtil is part of the city’s strategy to strengthen the sustainable textile sector, supporting both entrepreneurial projects and already established initiatives. In this context, the programme is complemented by other lines of action, such as the commercialisation and communication programme planned for the autumn, aimed at projects seeking to strengthen their positioning and improve market access.