Facilities for entrepreneurship and economic activity
To further establish Barcelona’s position as a city that fosters entrepreneurship and promotes economic activity, a variety of initiatives aimed at facilitating the creation of new businesses and support their growth will be carried out.
The following are the specific measures that will be introduced to achieve this objective and ensure that Barcelona becomes a more dynamic, inclusive city that is well-prepared to face the economic challenges of the future.
Support programmes for entrepreneurship and economic activity
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This Barcelona Activa grant programme aims to support entrepreneurial projects or local economic activities. Depending on the type of initiative, it can subsidise the launch of new retailers and market stalls (‘Amunt persianes’ [Shutters Up]), actions within Barcelona’s Strategy for Social and Solidarity Economy 2030, the promotion of quality employment, the promotion of healthy and sustainable food and responsible consumption, support for economic activities in high-traffic areas (HTAs) and projects related to caregiving.
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Blue entrepreneurship will be fostered through an annual edition of BBlue, focused on supporting emerging sustainable maritime companies guided by city stakeholders such as the Port of Barcelona and private companies. This programme includes business model validation, training, networking and comprehensive services provided by Barcelona Activa (such as financing and talent).
Additionally, blue innovation is promoted through support and leadership in both internal (such as Connectio) and external innovation projects, as well as through the KIC candidacy on maritime sectors and ecosystems led by UPC. These actions aim to revitalise the local and international blue economy ecosystem.
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To drive Barcelona's economic development, it is essential to review the fiscal regulations to provide tax incentives for high value-added companies. These adjustments aim to promote investment and innovation, thus attracting companies that create high-skill jobs and contribute to the city’s sustainable development.
Barcelona aims to enhance its global competitiveness with a new tax byelaw to incentivise research and technology transfer. This proposal offers tax deductions for R&D companies with the goal of fostering the business ecosystem 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. Additionally, an IAE rebate is being offered for companies that establish innovation centres or emerging companies in the city.
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Barcelona has launched a series of entrepreneurship programmes designed to encourage the creation and growth of businesses in emerging strategic sectors. These initiatives address the need to diversify the city's economy and drive innovation in key areas for its future development. Below are some of the most prominent programmes:
- Creamedia: this programme is aimed at the creative and cultural industries, with the goal of transforming new initiatives into viable businesses. It targets sectors such as visual arts, design, advertising and the cultural industry, including film, video games and new technologies.
- B-STEP: this programme aims to support entrepreneurship in the sports sector through the creation, incubation and acceleration of innovative emerging businesses. Selected projects receive training, mentoring and access to a network of contacts to foster talent and growth opportunities.
- ProgramESS: this is a tailored package of social economy programmes designed to strengthen business ventures and enterprises in the social economy across various sectors or groups: ‘Construïm en femení’ and ‘Camí de solidesa’ for projects led by women; ‘RevESStim el tèxtil’ for sustainable fashion projects; ‘Reimaginem’ to redirect established social and solidarity economy businesses; and ‘Impulsem les cures’ to strengthen care projects within the social economy.
- B-Blue: The annual BBlue edition focuses on supporting emerging sustainable maritime businesses. This programme includes business model validation, training, networking and comprehensive services provided by Barcelona Activa (such as financing and talent).
- Socioeconomic innovation support services by Barcelona Activa: this is a package of services and programmes supporting social economy, cooperativism and socioeconomic innovation offered by Barcelona Activa. It provides specific services for cooperatives, associations, third-sector entities and businesses committed to environmental, social and good governance impact. The goals includes promoting the diversity of legal forms within the social and solidarity economy (SSE), as well as fostering hybrid spaces connecting the SSE and business with a social impact. These services and programmes include training, support and advice, incubation, sectoral coordination, outreach and promoting vocations.
- Programmes to strengthen and promote retail associations: The retail sector requires programmes that strengthen its associations by addressing both geographic and sectoral needs. These programmes need to be stable and sustainable over time and should be planned in close coordination with the sector to ensure their efficiency and effectiveness in development.