Talent generation and development
Below are the actions to be implemented in Barcelona to foster the creation and growth of local talent.
Cross-cutting programmes to promote talent
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The Young and Emerging Research Programme is an initiative designed to promote the careers of new PhDs and reinforce Barcelona's scientific community. Aimed at new PhD students, it offers grants for research projects focused on urban challenges and local innovation. In addition to generating ideas and solutions, the programme seeks to connect academic research and its social impact. In that way, it contributes to designing public policies based on scientific evidence and transferring knowledge to the productive sector. The programme also includes measures to promote gender equity in academia by addressing work-life balance needs. This ensures that responsibilities such as caring for family members or maternity/paternity leave are not obstacles to participating in the call for applications. The City Council is committed to promoting equitable career paths to contribute to consolidating an inclusive research environment in Barcelona.
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Vocational training is a key component of Barcelona’s economic and social development. The city’s model is based on its firm commitment to provide high-quality professional training based on innovation, inclusion and the creation of talent. The available programmes are structured around strategic professional sectors to ensure that the training provided is in line with the actual needs of both businesses and society as a whole.
Furthermore, Barcelona Activa provides training through an official catalogue of Professional Certificates and dual vocational training (FPO Dual) across a network of state secondary schools, as well as specialised short courses focusing on sectoral and language reskilling. These technical vocational training courses are provided to over 4,000 people each year.
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Barcelona City Council, through Barcelona Activa, promotes recruitment and networking activities through web markets that connect companies with vacancies and selected professionals. These initiatives link businesses seeking talent with individuals looking for jobs in diverse sectors such as logistics, green economy and citizen services.
Sixty-nine recruitment events were organised in 2024, resulting in 680 successful placements.
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Several measures are being implemented to encourage women’s advancement and recognition in scientific fields. These actions range from mentoring programmes and specific scholarships to gender equality initiatives in research. The aim is not only to increase women’s presence and participation in science but also to create an inclusive environment that values and recognises their contribution to the city’s scientific and technological progress. In this way, Barcelona is reaffirming its commitment to gender equity and research excellence.
Sectoral talent promotion programmes
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Through this programme, Barcelona aims to promote and encourage high-end gastronomy 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 leader in sustainability, quality and good practices for local restaurants, while preserving and spreading the tradition and innovation of gastronomic knowledge and making haute cuisine accessible to the general public.
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Barcelona is working to identify new opportunities for blue jobs through programmes that ensure a broad range of educational programmes at various levels, tailored to the sector's demand and employment niches. These programmes aim to boost the blue economy sector in the city as a source of economic competitiveness and the creation of quality job, with a focus on sustainability and technology to support the city’s economic and social development.
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This strategy, co-produced with the representative body of the Social and Solidarity Economy (SSE) of Barcelona, includes various actions to promote the social and solidarity economy in the city through the municipal government 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 implemented to guide municipal actions aimed at strengthening and promoting the Social and Solidarity Economy (SSE) in the city, with a focus on fostering social inclusion and creating quality employment. The goal of this plan is to move towards a fairer and more sustainable economic model for Barcelona.
- Generation of ecosystems of spaces for the social and solidarity economy: the competitive tender for spaces meant for the social and solidarity economy is an initiative that promotes the revitalisation of SSE hubs in Barcelona. This tender seeks to enhance and support projects that promote the SSE by providing opportunities for the development of collaborative and sustainable initiatives.
- Attraction and retention of talent to ensure employment in the SSE: programmes and projects are being implemented to improve working conditions and promote the development of competitive professionals in the sector, as well as the creation of a leadership and management school for social and solidarity economy organisations in conjunction with the university.
- Promotion of Bloc4BCN, a cooperative space: Bloc4BCN is a public-cooperative space aimed at promoting and spreading cooperativism and the SSE. It houses Europe's largest cooperative incubator and provides services for the whole city. It is a significant step forward in strengthening cooperative businesses and promoting more inclusive and sustainable economic models in the city.
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The Vocational School aims to recognise and enhance the training opportunities related to retail, guilds and the labour market in Barcelona. The objective is to ensure the fullest coverage of the labour needs of small and medium-sized businesses by identifying people in positions that will soon be retiring and using training to ensure their generational replacement.