MEASURES FOR PROMOTING BARCELONA'S ECONOMIC ACTIVITY - Practical guide for services, subsidies and training in 2023
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Building the
Barcelona of
the future
MEASURES FOR
PROMOTING
BARCELONA’S
ECONOMIC
ACTIVITY
Practical guide for services,
subsidies and training in 2023
Building the Barcelona of the future
Building the Barcelona
of the future
4 Ajuntament de Barcelona
There are currently new challenges and uncertainties facing everyone and
every kind of business in sectors such as commerce, catering industry,
sport, culture and tourism. At Barcelona City Council we have therefore
focussed all our efforts on fighting the social and economic crisis, with
three major goals: to protect the most vulnerable; to revive the economy
and consumption; and to boost the city’s transformation with new medium-
and long-term projects.
This is what we have been doing through the Economic Response
Coordination Centre (CECORE) in an effort to minimise the effects of the
crisis, give support to workers, the small economy and businesses, and
thereby help to create jobs. At the same time, we have also launched
projects with a more strategic approach, to diversify the economy, attract
talent and investment, and provide the city with more added value.
It is through the decisive impetus of these economic policies that we have
managed to speed up and consolidate economic recovery. Among Spain’s
large cities, Barcelona has the lowest levels of unemployment, and the
fact that we have had the best employment levels for the last 15 years
bears testimony to our economic fabric’s fortitude and resilience. At a time
marked by complexity on a global scale due to the Covid-19 pandemic,
rising prices, the energy crisis and the war in Ukraine, we continue to show
that our city is a true economic driver capable of conveying certainties and
security.
Even so, we know that the path to overcoming these difficulties will not be
at all easy, and that we will only be able to achieve all our goals by driving
ahead with courageous public policies, cooperating with the private sector
and all of us pooling our efforts under the highest standards.
We are now presenting the new edition of 2023 Handbook of Measures
for Promoting Economic Activity in Barcelona, a gateway for accessing all
kinds of resources, such as training to reorient your professional career,
subsidies to give your business a boost and advisory services to help you
embark on a new entrepreneurial project. In short, it is a handbook aimed
chiefly at putting people first and providing a useful tool for strengthening
the city’s economy and businesses.
I invite you to make the most of our resources with this handbook, to help
to open up a new era of prosperity and reclaim together the best version of
Barcelona: a city with lots of challenges and opportunities but, above all,
with a big future.
Laia Bonet
Third Deputy Mayor
Measures for the promotion of economic activity in Barcelona 2023 5
Index
Support lines for the city’s
productive fabric:
6 Ajuntament de Barcelona
Subsidies, grants
and funding
08
Advice
20
Training
36
Promoting the city
46
Regulatory changes
(rebates, longer or
shorter timeframes,
new developments)
54
Resources for each group
62
Other
70
Who the measure is aimed at
I’d like to I am a job I’m a retailer, I
start an seeker or wish have a business
enterprise to improve my in a municipal
professional market or I’m in
profile the restaurant
I have a tourist
and catering
or international
industry
project
I have a I have a I have just
cooperative company or I’m arrived to work
or a social self-employed in Barcelona or
and solidarity I intend to work
economy there soon
organisation
Measures for the promotion of economic activity in Barcelona 2023 7
01 Subsidies, grants and
funding
Barcelona City Council
We are is allocating a large
boosting the amount of resources to
economy drive city recovery and
promotion policies, in the
form of grants, subsidies
and funding. The City
Council is reaffirming its
commitment to promoting
the economy, fostering
employment and shaping
the city’s future, by having
more programmes,
services and budgetary
allocations.
8 Ajuntament de Barcelona
Type of Who it’s
Period
measure aimed at
Crea Feina Plus 2023 job-creation
subsidies
Incentives for recruiting unemployed peo-
ple with particular difficulties in accessing
the labour market. This year’s call for appli-
cations will involve subsidies ranging from
2,000 to 8,000 euros, depending on the March
group and type of working week, for com- 2023
panies with their head office in the metro- (start of
the appli-
politan area hiring unemployed people. A
cation
total of 2 million euros are being allocated period)
to the call, which will benefit in particular
the hiring of young people, women or peo-
ple over the age of 45, unemployed for a
long time and in a vulnerable situation.
barcelonactiva.cat/creafeinaplus
Activa Autòno+ 2023
Grants for self-employed professionals to
lighten the burden of the expenditure they
March
have to bear during their first year of ac- 2023
tivity. Subsidies will be calculated on the (start of
basis of substantiated expenditure, up to the appli-
a maximum of 3,000 euros. The amount cation
allocated to this call is 1 million euros. period)
barcelonactiva.cat/autonoMES
Measures for the promotion of economic activity in Barcelona 2023 9
Type of Who it’s
Period
measure aimed at
Barcelona Deep Tech Fund
Through its development agency Barce-
lona Activa, the City Council is going to
invest in six national or international pri-
vate risk-capital funds, for the purpose
of driving the city’s deep tech start-up
ecosystem within the framework of its Up to 31
economic agenda, the Barcelona Green Dcember
Deal. The 10 million euros of municipal 2023
investment will be multiplied through this
fund and thus enable support to be given
to the city’s deep tech start-ups.
barcelonactiva.cat/empreses/ fons-barcelona-deeptech
Locals amb energia – Premises
with energy
Grants for energy saving aimed at
ground-floor premises. Subsidies will be From
calculated on the basis of expenditure December
substantiated at the time of the applica- 2022
tion, up to a maximum of 3,000 euros, until the
budget is
with a total of 9,000 euros in three inde-
used up
pendent premises.
barcelonactiva.cat/localsambenergia
10 Ajuntament de BarcelonaType of Who it’s
Period
measure aimed at
General call for subsidy applications
for district and city projects,
activities and services in 2023
The 2023 general call for subsidy appli-
cations has a total budget of €1,650,000
in grants for projects. The current budge- From
tary allocation represents a slight increase 9 to 26
January
of 0.5% with respect to 2022 and nearly
2023
50% with regard to 2015. In all, the call
includes 105 grant programmes divided
up into 26 different subject areas.
ajuntament.barcelona.cat/ca/subvencions-generals-2023
Enfortim l’Economia Social i
Solidària – Strengthening the
social and solidarity economy
New edition of the specific call under the
Barcelona City Council’s subsidies pro- From
gramme for strengthening and reviving March
the social and solidarity economy (SSE) 2023
and developing projects that implement
the 2030 BCN SSE Strategy. It will subsi-
dise up to a maximum of 80% of the total
cost of each project. The initial estimated
budget for the subsidies is 1 million euros.
barcelona.cat/subvencionsESS
Measures for the promotion of economic activity in Barcelona 2023 11Type of Who it’s
Period
measure aimed at
Impulsem el que fas 2023 –
We promote what you do 2023
Call for grant applications boost the lo-
cal economy. Up to 80% of a project’s
cost can be funded, with a maximum of March
40,000 euros (except category 1 Amunt 2023
Persianes). It offers 6 categories: Amunt (start of
persianes, socio-economic innovation the appli-
and the SSE, promoting quality jobs, cation
sustainable and responsible tourism, period)
sustainable food and consumption, and
urban goods distribution. .
barcelonactiva.cat/impulsemelquefas
Subsidies for the digital
transformation of local shops,
bars and restaurants
To boost the presence of establishments
in the digital environment, Barcelona is
allocating 1 million euros towards fun- March
2023
ding projects that invest in digital marke-
ting, websites, online shops and digital
signage, among other things.
barcelona.cat/subvencionscomerc
12 Ajuntament de BarcelonaType of Who it’s
Period
measure aimed at
Subsidies for the Christmas lights
campaign
Call for subsidy applications totalling
850,000 euros, intended to give support
to the Christmas lights initiative launched
by the city’s retailers associations, and
to help promote local commerce during April
the Christmas period. The grants are ai- 2023
med at the city’s local non-profit retailers
associations carrying out their project in
Barcelona.
barcelona.cat/subvencionscomerc
Amunt persianes – Shutters up
A call for grant applications is being laun-
ched, within the framework of the Amunt
persianes strategy for revitalising ground-
February
floor premises, under a category entitled
2023
Impulsem el que fas (We promote what
you do), geared to generating new eco-
nomic activity in vacant premises and su-
pporting commercial resilience.
barcelonactiva.cat/amuntpersianes
Measures for the promotion of economic activity in Barcelona 2023 13Type of Who it’s
Period
measure aimed at
Cooperative loans for reviving
the social and solidarity economy
(SSE)
Barcelona City Council’s agreement with
the COOP57 Cooperative, which puts
lines of credit at the disposal of SSE
enterprises and organisations for invest-
ment and working capital for new SSE During
projects and to revive existing SSE ones. 2023
They can be projects for funding invest-
ment or working capital and to tackle the
need for liquidity stemming from the Co-
vid-19 crisis.
ajuntament.barcelona.cat/economia-social-solidaria/ca/financament/finances-etiques
Impact investment fund for social
and solidarity economy (SSE)
projects
Barcelona City Council’s agreement
with the Finances Ètiques, Activisme i
Economia Crítica Foundation, which March
has an impact investment fund of up to 2023.
300,000 euros to support the growth of The
SSE projects. The fund look for impact Foundati-
projects in order to make temporary on will be
investments in the share capital of the launching
an annual
organisations concerned and provide
call for
expert advice during the investment projects
period to support their consolidation in 2023
and growth. The investment for each
project will be between 10,000 and
30,000 euros.
ajuntament.barcelona.cat/economia-social-solidaria/ca/financament/finances-etiques
14 Ajuntament de BarcelonaType of Who it’s
Period
measure aimed at
Municipal market remodelling and
renovation work
The Barcelona Municipal Institute of
Markets (IMMB) is driving ahead with
remodelling and renovation work on the
markets with an expected investment
of 100 million euros during this muni-
cipal government’s term of office. The 2023 and
remodelling projects in progress are as 2024
follows: Mercat de l’Abaceria, Mercat de
Montserrat, Mercat d’Horta and Mercat
de l’Estrella. The aim is to put the focus
on plans for improving and maintaining
Barcelona’s network of markets, with an
annual budget of 4 million euros.
mercats.barcelona
Measures for the promotion of economic activity in Barcelona 2023 15Type of Who it’s
Period
measure aimed at
Subsidies as a support and
reactivation measure for the
markets: general expenditure and
commercial reactivation measures
The aim behind the call, which boasts a
450,000-euro budget, is to provide finan- First
cial support to cover the ordinary opera- quarter of
2023
tional costs of their facilities as well as
any extraordinary expenses arising from
the Covid-19 pandemic.
mercats.barcelona
Mercabarna Impulsa
The Mercabarna hiring grants pro-
gramme is intended to promote the
hiring of unemployed individuals such
as university and vocational education
and training (VET) graduates so they
In 2023,
can receive permanent contracts once until the
they have completed their studies. grants
The hiring enterprise will receive a are used
6,000-euro grant for each six-month up
contract, provided the established re-
quirements are met.
mercabarna.es/responsabilitat-social/ajuts-contractacio
16 Ajuntament de BarcelonaType of Who it’s
Period
measure aimed at
A proactive city
Call for grant applications for open, plu-
ral and multidisciplinary urban-innova-
tion projects that contribute real solu-
April-May
tions to the challenges facing our city in 2023
the immediate future.
bithabitat.barcelona/ciutatproactiva
Urban Challenges
Several prize-entry calls will be launched
in 2023 for innovative solutions that meet
specific city challenges.
An urban challenge is understood to
mean a problem or complex need of the 2023
city that requires a response in the form
of a service, product or innovative me-
thod not yet out on the market.
bithabitat.barcelona/reptesurbans
Measures for the promotion of economic activity in Barcelona 2023 17Type of Who it’s
Period
measure aimed at
City Experiences Programme
New programme, promoted by Barcelo-
na City Council and run by the Barcelona
Tourism Consortium, to support unique
projects that are rooted and consolida-
From
ted in the neighbourhoods, and orga-
February
nised by private socio-cultural entities, to
with the aim of turning them into a city December
attraction for local people and internatio- 2023
nal visitors. The projects will be funded
with 700,000 euros from the tourist tax.
barcelona.cat/turisme
18 Ajuntament de BarcelonaDo you need our guidance?
We are putting a personalised helpline
at your disposal, through Barcelona
Activa, so you can clear up any queries
or make enquiries about the financial
aid and advisory services for workers,
associations and enterprises. The helpline
(+34 900 533 175) is free and operates
from Mondays to Fridays, 9 am to 6 pm.
Enquiries are referred to the specialist
services or resources best suited to each
case.
Measures for the promotion of economic activity in Barcelona 2023 1902 Advice
Barcelona City Council is
at your side, helping you
We’ll to look for information,
help you selecting the resources
with your best adapted to your
project needs and supporting
when it comes to
processing grants or
drawing up personalised
plans for your business
with the help of experts.
Our advice services
will help you to start,
consolidate or continue
developing projects.
20 Ajuntament de BarcelonaType of Who it’s
Period
measure aimed at
Intermedia Locals
Mediation service for renting vacant
private premises, under advantageous From
conditions for owners and tenants, ens- February
hrined in the Amunt persianes strategy. to March
2023
(appli-
barcelonactiva.cat/amuntpersianes
cation
period)
Business Transfer Service
If you’re someone whose time with the
enterprise you run has now ended, or an
entrepreneur aiming to bring continuity
to an already existing enterprise, Barce-
lona Activa offers an advisory service to
connect you and facilitate business con- 2023
tinuity.
barcelonactiva.cat/empreses/transmissio-empresarial
Measures for the promotion of economic activity in Barcelona 2023 21Type of Who it’s
Period
measure aimed at
Barcelona International
Welcome Desk
Support service for international talent
wanting to come and live in the city or who
have recently settled here. It provides infor-
mation on procedures and processes such
as work and residence permits, access to
housing, healthcare and education, the
steps to creating a business, investing or 2023
working in Barcelona, and other practical
matters for living in the city. Face-to-face
assistance is given at the Barcelona Inter-
national Welcome Desk offices (MediaTIC
building) or by video conference. You need
to book an appointment.
barcelona.cat/welcomedesk
Barcelona International Welcome
Web portal aimed at international talent
who want to come to Barcelona to live
and work here. It includes practical infor-
mation on everyday aspects of life in the
city, a selection of the most important 2023
procedures for settling in and a diary of
regular activities to get to know the city
and make contacts.
barcelona.cat/internationalwelcome
22 Ajuntament de BarcelonaType of Who it’s
Period
measure aimed at
Office 22@. Information, advice,
and business and urban-planning
procedures point
Business one-stop-shop for enabling econo-
mic activity in the district. Located in the Me-
diaTIC building, the office offers information for
carrying out a business activity in the 22@ dis-
trict. Preliminary use-plan reports, activity-star- 2023
ting and ending statements, licence transfers
and applications for occupying public roads
and squares can be processed there.
barcelonactiva.cat/22barcelona
DigitESSt and DigiDieta
Online self-diagnosis and training tools
for social and solidarity economy (SSE)
organisations. A series of resources are at
their disposal to help with promoting their
digitalisation.
DigitESSt is a tool which enables SSE or-
ganisations to diagnose the state of their
digitalisation. DigiDieta, for its part, is an From 1
open and free online training environment January
for improving the digitalisation of organi- to 31
sations. The training programme consists December
2023
of eight modules: technology; organisa-
tion; feminism; networking; sustainable
food; funding; sustainability; marking and
communication.
matchimpulsa.barcelona
Measures for the promotion of economic activity in Barcelona 2023 23Type of Who it’s
Period
measure aimed at
Barcelona Fashion Forward
Support programme for up-and-coming
designers and fashion brands. Its aim is
to support process and method optimi-
sation, incorporating methodologies for
improving their professionalisation, and
January
in the areas of marketing, communica- 2023
tion and digitalisation. It offers training
sessions, personalised support and ser-
vice funding.
barcelonactiva.cat/empreses/barcelona-fashion-forward
Ground-floor commercial
properties and activities,
commerce, services and
restaurant trade observatory
The observatory is regarded as an ordered
knowledge platform, with data for monito-
ring the progress of ground-floor premises
and activities as well as identifying oppor-
tunities. It also contains the main and su-
pplementary indicators of interest to the
various groups (internal, commercial sector During
and entrepreneurs) and which inspire the 2023
development of initiatives for improving the
sustainability of active premises and occu-
pation of vacant premises.
The functions of this observatory are to
quantify and openly share the available
knowledge on ground-floor activities and
premises, monitor the progress and chan-
ges that occur and inspire new strategies.
ajuntament.barcelona.cat/comerc/ca/observatori-comerc
24 Ajuntament de BarcelonaType of Who it’s
Period
measure aimed at
Urban Economic Promotion Areas
(APEUs)
Urban economic promotion areas
(APEU) are created to promote and mo-
dernise urban areas with an action plan
adapted to general-interest purposes.
The goal is to improve the quality of
the urban environment, consolidate the
compact, unified and environmentally
efficient city model, as well as increase During
business competitiveness. 2023
Barcelona City Council has launched
training and support sessions for sho-
pping hubs and players involved from
the economic sector. It also offers tech-
nical and legal advice to organisations
interested in continuing to work on de-
veloping their APEU project.
ajuntament.barcelona.cat/comerc/ca/arees-de-promocio-economica-urbana-apeu
Measures for the promotion of economic activity in Barcelona 2023 25Type of Who it’s
Period
measure aimed at
Employment rights defence points
Free, personal, face-to-face advice and
assistance service on employment ri-
ghts, available to all workers in three
districts and also by phone. Expanded During
service the covering whole city to meet 2023
demand.
barcelonactiva.cat/dretslaborals
Inclusive Employability Services
Employment-information and job-seeking
support service for people in vulnerable
situations, whether personal, social, legal During
or financial. 2023
barcelonactiva.cat/treball
Career guidance and job search
service
Guidance service providing advice on
the training best suited to the profile During
of each person and to labour market 2023
opportunities.
barcelonactiva.cat/treball/assessorament
26 Ajuntament de BarcelonaType of Who it’s
Period
measure aimed at
Employability service for young
people
Employment-information and job-see-
king support service for the city’s youth.
It offers full information on training, em-
ployment resources and the tools nee- During
ded to find work. The service is offered at 2023
the Convent de Barcelona Activa, in Ciu-
tat Vella, and several assistance points
spread throughout the city.
barcelonactiva.cat/joves
Talent Marketplaces
Events that provide a space for direct
contact between enterprises with job
offers and job candidates, with partici-
patory dynamics and brief interviews. During
They are tailor-made for enterprises and 2023
also specifically for business sectors.
barcelonactiva.cat/treball
Measures for the promotion of economic activity in Barcelona 2023 27Type of Who it’s
Period
measure aimed at
Barcelona Innova Lab
Pilot service that aims to facilitate and
accompany enterprises, associations and
organisations carrying out testing activi-
During
ties under real conditions for innovative 2023
solutions of public interest for the city.
bithabitat.barcelona/lab
Business Advice Service
Guidance service aimed at self-employed
workers, social and solidarity economy en-
terprises, businesses and associations on
issues relating to incorporations, funding, During
talent management, transfers, internatio- 2023
nalisation and digital transformation.
barcelonactiva.cat/empreses/assessorament
Comerç a punt 2023
Barcelona City Council approaches
shops to advise them on re-defining their
business strategy as well as putting their
From
business back on its feet, adopting new January
marketing models, or creating and deve- to
loping formulas for incentivising demand. November
It provides free support adapted to each 2023
person’s work pace.
barcelonactiva.cat/comercapunt
28 Ajuntament de BarcelonaType of Who it’s
Period
measure aimed at
Dissenyem comerç
Project to revive local trade with contribu-
tions from young talent in the creative in-
dustries. Various training centres in crea-
tive disciplines come into contact with
commercial hubs. Groups of students
diagnose issues and propose creative ini- Until
tiatives to revive small businesses. June
2023
This project enables small retailers to
learn more about strategies and creative
thinking, and jobs for design professio-
nals may subsequently be created.
barcelona.cat/comerc
Barcelona Biosphere
Commitment to Sustainable
Tourism
Programme that distinguishes tourist ope-
rators committed to responsible manage-
ment under certain requirements based
on the United Nations’ sustainable deve-
lopment goals (SDGs). Enterprises and or- Registra-
ganisations receive training and advice on tion open
making an improvement plan and obtai- up to
30 April
ning Biosphere Sustainable Lifestyle cer-
2023
tification, enabling them to improve their
positioning. It includes training in Covid-19
protocols and access to the Safe Travels
Seal granted by the World Travel & Tourism
Council (WTTC).
turismesostenible.barcelona
Measures for the promotion of economic activity in Barcelona 2023 29Type of Who it’s
Period
measure aimed at
Barcelona Tourism Observatory
Thanks to collaborative efforts between
various institutions, Barcelona has a
platform for statistical information,
knowledge and tourism intelligence
offering studies and up-to-date data
on the city and the entire region com-
prising ‘Destination Barcelona’. It can During
provide figures on visitor profiles, their 2023
economic impact, labour data from the
tourism sector and information relating
to accommodation, infrastructures and
transport.
observatoriturisme.barcelona
Advice for entrepreneurs
Barcelona Activa’s entrepreneurship ser-
vices accompany and support entrepre-
neurs wishing to start a business project
throughout the entire process, enabling During
them to turn an idea into a feasible en- 2023
terprise.
emprenedoria.barcelonactiva.cat/assessorament-emprenedors
30 Ajuntament de BarcelonaType of Who it’s
Period
measure aimed at
Social and Solidarity Economy
(SSE) advisory service
Specialised, personal service for providing
information to and supporting SSE enter-
prises and organisations, from how to start
a project to how to improve it and obtain
funding. Coordinated with the ecosys- During
tem’s services, operators and players, 2023
this service identifies opportunities and
detects difficulties, in addition to offering
tools and expert support in specific areas.
barcelonactiva.cat/empreses/economia-social-i-solidaria
Digitalisation service for SMEs
Service that accompanies small and
medium-sized enterprises and self-
employed workers in digitalisation
During
processes. Support in processing Digital 2023
Kit grant applications.
barcelonactiva.cat/empreses/assessorament-en-digitalitzacio
Measures for the promotion of economic activity in Barcelona 2023 31Type of Who it’s
Period
measure aimed at
Social clauses for responsible
public procurement
This service promotes applications of
the subcontracting clause with social
and solidarity economy (SSE) enterpri-
ses and the social reserve that Barcelona During
City Council promotes, reaching €10 mi- 2023
llion a year and aimed at SSE enterprises
(more specifically, special work centres
and insertion enterprises).
barcelonactiva.cat/contractaciosocial
OMIC information and advice
service for enterprises on
consumption
The Municipal Consumer Information
Office (OMIC) provides an information
and advice service for commercial es-
tablishments, self-employed professio- During
nals and micro-companies. The OMIC 2023
advises enterprises as consumers of
basic or ongoing services: utilities, te-
lephone services, insurance and finan-
cial products.
ajuntament.barcelona.cat/omic/ca/espai-empreses
32 Ajuntament de BarcelonaType of Who it’s
Period
measure aimed at
Consumption information and
education sessions
The Municipal Consumer Information Offi-
ce (OMIC) provides shopping hubs, dis-
trict trade councils and enterprises with
information sessions to explain consumer
rights, municipal assistance channels re-
During
lating to consumption, how inquiries and 2023
claims can be made, and mediation and
arbitration processes for resolving consu-
mer issues and any related queries that
may arise.
ajuntament.barcelona.cat/omic/ca/lobservatori/sessions-
informatives-i-deducacio-en-consum
Responsible Consumption Space
This is a municipal facility specialising in
responsible consumption and committed
to people and the environment. With that
goal in mind, it takes part in city events
During
that promote responsible consumption
2023
and sustainable food, offers talks, activi- (except
ties and exhibitions, and puts a Respon- August)
sible Consumption Information Point at
the disposal of the general public.
barcelona.cat/consumresponsable
Measures for the promotion of economic activity in Barcelona 2023 33Type of Who it’s
Period
measure aimed at
Futurism
A programme for supporting the crea-
tion of innovative, responsible and sus-
tainable enterprises that meet the new
needs of the tourist sector in Barcelona
city and province. Participating projects
receive training in the fields of entrepre-
Starting
neurship and tourism, under a persona-
in the
lised accompaniment plan. third
The programme is promoted by Barce- quarter of
lona Activa - Barcelona City Council, 2023
Barcelona Provincial Council, the Ca-
talan Association of Specialist Travel
Agencies (ACAVE) and the Barcelona
Hotels Guild.
emprenedoria.barcelonactiva.cat/programa-futurisme-turisme-sostenible
Promoting the ‘Zero Plastic’ and
‘Green Trade’ projects
The Municipal Institute of Markets
(IMMB) is going to publish a hand-
book of recommendations, within the
framework of Barcelona City Council’s
commitment to zero plastic, for tackling
new and future regulations on the use
of single-use plastics, and draw up a
repository of suppliers. For its part, the
Green Trade project is already present 2023
in municipal markets, with 573 esta- and
blishments signed up to it. The goal is 2024
to promote organic and local produce,
with guidance from the Barcelona City
Council, the Municipal Markets Federa-
tion (FEMM) and food guilds. The pro-
ject will be consolidated in 2023 with a
new campaign and selective initiatives
for each type of product.
mercats.barcelona
34 Ajuntament de BarcelonaType of Who it’s
Period
measure aimed at
Training and accompaniment in
commercial strategies for selling
sustainable products (local, direct
from producers and organic)
(see page 42)
Barcelona Activa’s business
funding service
Expert advice for obtaining funding for
self-employed workers, enterprises and
associations. This service accompanies
grant application processes and provides
support for obtaining existing financial
products, whether public or private.
barcelonactiva.cat/empreses/finançament
Measures for the promotion of economic activity in Barcelona 2023 3503 Training
To be competitive, you
need to be up to date. So
Barcelona City Council
has launched a wide
range of specialised
Get trained
training lines, designed
to prepare you for the
future with more drive
than ever. The range of
free possibilities means
there is something for
everyone!
36 Ajuntament de BarcelonaType of Who it’s
Period
measure aimed at
Tech training at the Cibernàrium
The Cibernàrium offers training to im-
prove digital tech skills and help meet
the challenges that come with digita-
lisation. Its programme enables en-
terprises to cover their digital talent
needs. During
2023
barcelonactiva.cat/cibernarium
IT Academy
A programme that enables professional
profiles to be reoriented towards sectors
such as programming and data science
in just 12 weeks, thanks to its self-lear-
ning, personalised and highly innovative
educational method, and to an expert During
mentoring service that provides accom- 2023
paniment throughout the process. It also
includes an advisory service and tools to
find work.
barcelonactiva.cat/itacademy
Measures for the promotion of economic activity in Barcelona 2023 37Type of Who it’s
Period
measure aimed at
42 Barcelona
Located in Barcelona Activa’s Techno-
logical Park, 42 Barcelona is a program-
ming campus that follows an innovative
and free model endorsed worldwide and
is based on ‘meta-learning’, which fos-
ters creativity and teamwork and allows
individuals to train at their own pace, During
opening doors to a new labour market. 2023
This is a Telefónica Foundation, Barce-
lona City Council and Catalan Govern-
ment initiative.
42barcelona.com
Online training for professionals
and enterprises
Barcelona Activa offers training grouped
by subject category and adapted to the
needs of each person.
barcelonactiva.cat/treball/online During
barcelonactiva.cat/empreses/online 2023
38 Ajuntament de BarcelonaType of Who it’s
Period
measure aimed at
Virtual classroom for projects in
the framework of the Social and
Solidarity Economy (SSE)
The Barcelona Activa Virtual Classroom
has specific courses designed for SSE
projects and organisations. These teach
everything from how to resolve Covid-19 During
related queries to how to prepare your- 2023
self for setting up a business, improving
your skills or strengthening SSE sector
enterprises.
barcelonactiva.cat/empreses/formació-economia-social-i-solidaria
Sectoral reskilling
Short-term professional technical trai-
ning that allows individuals to improve
their profiles or reorient their careers
towards the city’s strategic sectors March
with higher employability. It offers three 2023
formats: online, streaming and F2F.
barcelonactiva.cat/reskilling
Language reskilling
Languages today are, more than ever,
an essential tool for facing the future.
Language reskilling courses are short
training modules that enable partici- June
pants to learn new languages for im- 2023
proving their professional profile and
adapting to labour market demands.
barcelonactiva.cat/reskilling_idiomes
Measures for the promotion of economic activity in Barcelona 2023 39Type of Who it’s
Period
measure aimed at
Trades Workshops
Training and work programmes for young
people whose main aim is to improve
professional skills and find work in en-
From
tertainment and the creative industries,
January
as well as the environment field. It com- to
bines a maximum of six months work December
experience and a six-month employment 2023
contract.
barcelonactiva.cat/treball
(Òh!)pera, newly created micro-
operas
A project that aims to support young
talent, complementing the training of
students from several disciplines in the
city’s creative industries and enabling 2023
them to learn in a real environment. Four and
2024
small-format operas will be designed, to
be performed at the Liceu opera house
for two days.
empreses.barcelonactiva.cat/web/es/oh-pera
40 Ajuntament de BarcelonaType of Who it’s
Period
measure aimed at
Digital Fab Lab Network (XAF)
The XAF is a public service run by Barce-
lona City Council that provides access to
technology and innovation through digital
fab labs. The XAF has five reference cen-
tres in digital inclusion, skills acquisition
and dissemination, which offer people the
space, a wide range of hardware and sof-
tware, and resources so they can give sha- From 1
pe to ideas that can really transform our January
immediate environment. to 31
Fab Labs offer participation itineraries, December
2023
programmes and initiatives, depending on
the type of public and their needs, which
are divided into two large areas: educatio-
nal and community.
ajuntament.barcelona.cat/ateneusdefabricacio/ca/
Measures for the promotion of economic activity in Barcelona 2023 41Type of Who it’s
Period
measure aimed at
Training and accompaniment in
commercial strategies for selling
sustainable products (local, direct
from producers and organic)
The City Council offers tools and accom-
paniment for retailers who have signed
up to the Green Trade programme. The
goal is to raise customer awareness and
promote sustainable food produce.
Includes:
Up to
- Short F2F or online training course las- April
ting 1 hr 30 min 2023
- Personalised advice for 60 retailers
- Virtual accompaniment by periodically
sending out useful information
ajuntament.barcelona.cat/mercats/ca/content/comerc-verd
42 Ajuntament de BarcelonaType of Who it’s
Period
measure aimed at
Online training for shops, bars
and restaurants
Barcelona Activa offers over 50 free on-
line courses to boost shops, bars and
restaurants. The training teaches them
how to improve management by incor- During
porating digital transformation proces- 2023
ses and helps them to use digital tools
to make themselves known, boost sales
and increase customer loyalty.
barcelonactiva.cat/empreses/formació-i-programes-per-al-comerc
Discovering, learning and
finding work (“BCN Guarantee of
success”)
Programme that offers young people gui-
dance, activities to learn about occupa-
tions and tutoring for them to define their Starts
professional goal and establish a personal January-
February
work plan adapted to that. The plan inclu-
2023
des vocational training with internships in
sectors such as the hotel and catering in-
dustries, facilities and construction.
barcelonactiva.cat/treball/jo+
Training with official employment
service (SOC) qualification
Long courses (+300 hours), which include
internships and a professional skills cer-
tificate on completing the training. This
is a recognised official qualification that During
enables those who have it to change their 2023
profession and access jobs with a higher
market demand.
barcelonactiva.cat/treball
Measures for the promotion of economic activity in Barcelona 2023 43Type of Who it’s
Period
measure aimed at
Job opportunities in municipal
markets and local shops
A programme promoted by Barcelona
Activa, in conjunction with Mercabarna
and the Intermedia Foundation, and in
collaboration with the Barcelona Muni-
cipal Institute of Markets, which seeks
to meet the need for generational han-
dovers in the city’s markets. The pro-
gramme is aimed at young people aged
18 to 29, with or without compulsory se-
condary education (ESO), Baccalaurea-
During
te or intermediate Vocational Education 2023
and Training qualifications, and offers
guidance and training in three food-tra-
de specialities: butcher’s assistant, deli
assistant and seafood assistant. In addi-
tion, the IMMB puts vacant stalls in the
markets up for auction to give access to
new concession holders. It also publi-
shes the food trades associations that
offer job vacancies on its website.
barcelonactiva.cat/treball/jo+
mercats.barcelona
Entrepreneurship programmes for
specific groups and sectors
Programmes for entrepreneurship inclu-
de accompaniment and networking for
the creation of enterprises and organi-
sations aimed at certain groups of en- During
2023
trepreneurs (young people, older people
and women) or sectors of activity (crea-
tive industries, food, sport, tourism or
projects with a social impact).
emprenedoria.barcelonactiva.cat/programes-emprenedors
44 Ajuntament de BarcelonaType of Who it’s
Period
measure aimed at
DigitESSt and DigiDieta
(see page 23)
Barcelona Fashion Forward
(see page 24)
Dissenyem comerç
(see page 29)
Information and education
sessions on consumption
(see page 33)
Responsible Consumption Space
(see page 33)
Futurism
(see page 34)
Free, convenient training,
open to everyone
All the training we offer you through
Barcelona Activa is free and available to all
city residents. It will help you to find a new
job, improve your professional profile, start
up a business or get your business to grow.
It is organised through the Cibernàrium,
Barcelona Treball and other services and
enables users to choose, depending on
their individual needs, between several
types of training experiences and formats:
F2F, online and streaming.
barcelonactiva.cat/training
Measures for the promotion of economic activity in Barcelona 2023 4504 Promoting the city
Barcelona is a city
that looks to the
future and possesses
We promote all the attributes for
Barcelona playing a key role in
the changes that are
coming. The City Council
is therefore driving
ahead with economic-
promotion tools, both
local and international,
fostering public-private
cooperation initiatives
and launching campaigns
that strengthen the city’s
full economic potential.
46 Ajuntament de BarcelonaType of Who it’s
Period
measure aimed at
BizBarcelona and Employment
Fair
These two are benchmark events for en-
trepreneurial initiative and job seeking,
and they are held together to foster talent Second
and boost businesses. The city’s entre- half of
preneurial and business ecosystem will 2023
be meeting institutions and professionals
again in 2023.
salocupacio.com
bizbarcelona.com
Municipal employment plans
(comprehensive sectoral and
strategic projects with contracts
[PICs])
Employment initiative to promote job
placements for unemployed individuals
that combines work experience, skills
improvement and career guidance. Par- During
ticipants join various municipal projects 2023
connected to strategic sectors with a
six-month employment contract.
barcelonactiva.cat/treball/pics
Measures for the promotion of economic activity in Barcelona 2023 47Type of Who it’s
Period
measure aimed at
Barcelona International
Community Day 2023
This year will see the tenth edition of
Barcelona International Community Day,
an F2F event that includes an exhibitors’ The 2023
edition is
fair and an extensive programme of acti-
planned
vities (seminars, workshops, roundtables for
and networking) to welcome the city’s Saturday,
international community, offering useful 28
information and resources for living, wor- October
king and doing business in Barcelona.
barcelona.cat/internationalcommunityday
Presence at trade fairs: ISE, IOT,
4YFN-MWC, SMART CITY EXPO
Barcelona City Council and Barcelona
Activa take part in the main trade fairs
held in the city, with their own space offe-
ring economic information on the city,
advice for enterprises and investors, and
networking activities, among other things. During
2023
Spaces are provided at these fairs so that
start-ups in the Barcelona Activa orbit
and taking part in its accompaniment pro-
grammes can be introduced and create
new business opportunities.
barcelonactiva.cat/empreses/fires
48 Ajuntament de BarcelonaType of Who it’s
Period
measure aimed at
Barcelona Social and Solidarity
Economy Strategy for 2030:
reviving and strengthening an
economy for life in the city
The #ESSBCN2030 SSE strategy is an
expression of the joint work and com-
mitment of the SSE area and the SSE
community to join forces and streng-
then the SSE in the city. It became a city
agreement in June 2021, creating a joint
working space for participation and sha-
red governance between the SSE area,
co-led by the Catalan Social Economy
Association (AESCAT) and Barcelona
City Council, thereby enhancing and gi- During
ving continuity to the participatory pro- 2023
cess underway, and contributing to the
socio-economic development of the city
and its residents.
Based on the roadmap set out by the
#ESSBCN2030 strategy, Barcelona City
Council drafted the Social and Solidarity
Economy Promotion Plan for 2021-2023
Plan, identifying, prioritising and imple-
menting initiatives with greater impact
on municipal public policies. Some 21.8
million euros are expected to be alloca-
ted to it during its three-year life.
ajuntament.barcelona.cat/economia-social-solidaria/ca/estrategia-essbcn2030
Measures for the promotion of economic activity in Barcelona 2023 49Type of Who it’s
Period
measure aimed at
Market network support and
promotion programme. Agreement
with the Barcelona Federation of
Municipal Market Associations
(FEMM)
Action in the market network to promote
the differential values of the city’s markets During
in the distribution network for fresh, quali- 2023 and
ty, local, organic, short-circuit products. At 2024
the same time, it highlights their role as ad-
vocates for healthy and sustainable food.
mercats.barcelona
2030 City Agreement for Healthy
and Sustainable Food
This is a space for participation, pu-
blic-private cooperation and joint action
between city institutions and organisa-
tions working to transform the prevailing
food system and make it healthier and
more sustainable. During
Its goal is to give continuity to the pro- 2023
cess used for drafting the EASSB2030,
promoting cooperation, action and coor-
dination of projects to move towards a
healthy, sustainable food model.
alimentaciosostenible.barcelona/ca/estrategia-dalimentacio-
saludable-i-sostenible-barcelona-2030
50 Ajuntament de BarcelonaType of Who it’s
Period
measure aimed at
Agròpolis participatory space
Agròpolis is a public community space
for dialogue, work and action, between
civil society, the economic fabric, univer-
sities and the municipal public authority,
which have the common goal of colla- During
borating to transform Barcelona’s food 2023
system through the values of food sove-
reignty and agro-ecology.
alimentaciosostenible.barcelona/ca/
cuidem-el-planeta/agropolis
Responsible Consumption and
Social and Solidarity Economy Fair
Annual fair organised in a central part of
Barcelona to promote responsible con-
sumption and introduce the social and
solidarity economy to the city. You will Regis-
tration:
find various booths with social and so-
July/
lidarity economy (SSE) or responsible Septem-
consumption enterprises, organisations ber. Fair
and projects in Barcelona, offering a wide held:
range of crafts, clothes and other textile December
accessories, culture, books, packaged 2023
food, cosmetics, toys and other small-gift
products.
barcelona.cat/economiasocial
Measures for the promotion of economic activity in Barcelona 2023 51Type of Who it’s
Period
measure aimed at
Campaign to promote shops,
markets, bars and restaurants
Every year the City Council launches a
campaign every year to position Bar-
celona as a city for quality local shops,
markets, bars and restaurants, thanks to
the professionalism of the people wor-
king there and the service they offer the During
public. The campaign is also intended to 2023
make these establishments aware that
the professionalism of their teams is a
key factor in Barcelona becoming a ben-
chmark in this field.
barcelona.cat/comerc
Barcelona’s tourism promotion
campaigns
The Barcelona Tourist Consortium runs a
series of campaigns to promote tourism
in the city. Equipped with a considerable
digital component, they are aimed at
several specific target sectors for the
purpose of attracting a local, high-value During
visitor profile that shares Barcelona’s 2023
attributes. Notable new content includes
cultural, creative and food offers and
priority types of public such as the
LGBTIQ+ group and digital nomads.
barcelonaturisme.com
52 Ajuntament de BarcelonaType of Who it’s
Period
measure aimed at
City Experiences Programme
(see page 18)
Barcelona International Welcome
(see page 22)
Barcelona Fashion Forward
(see page 24)
Barcelona Innova Lab
(see page 28)
Tourism Observatory
(see page 30)
Training and accompaniment in
commercial strategies for selling
sustainable products (local, direct
from producers and organic)
(see page 42)
Measures for the promotion of economic activity in Barcelona 2023 5305 Regulatory changes
and tax rebates
Barcelona is responding
to the current situation
of inflation and rising
costs – electricity and
food, for example – with
Let’s boost an expansionary budget
the city! and a proposal to freeze
public rates and prices for
2023, despite the increase
in the CPI. It is also
bringing in regulatory and
administrative changes
to simplify procedures for
the public and economic
sectors and which will
facilitate economic
activity.
54 Ajuntament de BarcelonaTREC (e-commerce distribution tax)
Big e-commerce companies, which make thousands of home deliveries in
the city and make special use of the public domain, produce congestion
and increase pollution. That, moreover, gives them an unfair advantage over
local traders. Hence it was felt necessary to develop a fiscal instrument that
would enable this special use of the public domain to be subject to tax.
The tax will be applied to postal operators with gross annual billing
revenues of more than 1 million euros obtained from deliveries to the final
destinations indicated by consumers in Barcelona. The amount of the
rate is set according to a percentage of the gross income invoiced by the
company, once the operations exempted from tax have been excluded.
The amount to be paid by all the operators may not exceed the limit set for
public domain use, quantified as 2.6 million euros.
ajuntament.barcelona.cat/economiatreball/ca
Period:
during 2023
TREC
Measures for the promotion of economic activity in Barcelona 2023 55Flat rate
This is a new method of direct debit payment that allows you to pay all the
taxes for the year together, choosing the number of monthly instalments
you wish to pay.
Only for natural persons.
Legal persons cannot ask for a flat rate.
barcelona.cat/hisenda
Period:
Each year, the tax calendar
FLAT RATE will include information on the
period for registering for the
flat rate
56 Ajuntament de Barcelona75% rebate on the tax for using the public domain for terraces
and outdoor tables
The 75% rebate on the tax for using the public domain for terraces and outdoor
tables which was applied during the Covid-19 pandemic is being maintained.
ajuntament.barcelona.cat/norma-portal-juridic/
Period:
solely for the 2023 tax year
TERRACES
Measures for the promotion of economic activity in Barcelona 2023 57Property tax (IBI) rebates
The City Council offers different: for new-build properties and social housing,
if this involves a large family and systems are installed for harnessing heat
or electricity from the sun’s energy, during the three tax periods following
the date of the installation’s legalisation.
barcelona.cat/hisenda
Period:
each rebate’s specific terms will
IBI have to be consulted
Economic activity tax (IAE) rebates
The City Council offers different rebates on the tax for business activities.
Rebates for cooperatives
Cooperatives and cooperative unions, federations and
confederations can request an IAE rebate provided they present
documentary proof that they are registered in the Cooperatives
register and meet the requirements set out in the Tax byelaw and
Act 20/1990, of 19 December, on the tax system for cooperatives.
The rebate is for 95% of the amount of the tax levied.
Tax rebates for increased staff numbers
Natural or legal persons who pay municipal tax and have increased
their staff by 10% or more are eligible for a rebate. The increase must
have involved indefinite contracts and taken place during the tax
period immediately prior to that in which the subsidy is requested.
It must be borne in mind that this increase in staff numbers must
have occurred in their work centres in the Barcelona municipality.
58 Ajuntament de BarcelonaRate reduction for use of renewable energy
Rebates for natural and legal persons installing systems for
harnessing heat or electricity from the sun’s energy, for three
consecutive years as from the date of application for the installation’s
legalisation or registration.
barcelona.cat/hisenda
Period:
specified for each rebate
IAE
Measures for the promotion of economic activity in Barcelona 2023 59Tax on mechanically powered vehicles (IVTM) rebates
The City Council offers several rebates on the tax on mechanically powered
vehicles.
Rebate on the tax on mechanically powered vehicles for owners of
vehicles classed as zero emission or electric vehicles:
Rebate on the tax on mechanically powered vehicles of any kind
(except trailers) classed as zero emission vehicles according to the
vehicle registry of the Directorate General of Traffic.
Rebate on the tax on mechanically powered vehicles for owners of
ECO-classed vehicles that use petrol, with emissions of up to 120
g/km of CO2:
Rebate on the tax on mechanically powered vehicles for owners of
ECO-classified vehicles of any kind (except trailers) that use petrol,
with emissions of up to 120 g/km of CO2, according to the vehicle
registry of the Directorate General of Traffic.
Rebate on the tax on mechanically powered vehicles for owners of
vintage vehicles:
Rebate on the entire amount of the tax on mechanically powered
vehicles for vehicles considered vintage, under the regulations for
vintage vehicles.
barcelona.cat/hisenda
Period:
specified for each rebate
IVTM
60 Ajuntament de BarcelonaConstruction, installation and works tax (ICIO) rebates
Barcelona City Council offers several rebates on the construction,
installation and works tax. Rebates on the construction, installation and
works tax (ICIO) may be requested for work whose purpose is to construct
buildings or put up installations declared to be of special municipal
interest or usefulness, because of social, cultural, historical and artistic or
work-promoting circumstances or because they incorporate systems for
harnessing heat or electricity from solar energy.
seuelectronica.ajuntament.barcelona.cat/oficinavirtual/ca/tramit/20050000547
Period:
The period needs to be
ICIO consulted in the corresponding
tax byelaw
Measures for the promotion of economic activity in Barcelona 2023 6106 Measures For Each
Specific Sector
I am job-hunting or wish to improve my professional
profile
Subsidies, grants and funding
Crea Feina Plus 2023 job-creation subsidies
Advice
Employment Rights Defence Points
Inclusive Employability Services
Career Guidance and Job Search Service
Employability Service for Young People
Talent marketplaces
Barcelona International Welcome
Training
Tech training at the Cibernàrium
IT Academy
42 Barcelona
Online training for professionals and enterprises
Sectoral reskilling
Language reskilling
Trades Workshops
Digital Fab Lab Network (XAS)
Discovering, learning and finding work (“BCN Guarantee of success”)
Job opportunities in municipal markets and local shops
Training with official employment service (SOC) qualification
Promoting the city
BizBarcelona and Employment Fair
Municipal employment plans (comprehensive sectoral and strategic projects with
contracts [PICs])
62 Ajuntament de BarcelonaBarcelona International Community Day 2023
Presence at trade fairs: ISE, IOT, 4FYN-MWC, SMART CITY EXPO
Barcelona International Welcome
Regulatory changes and tax rebates
Flat rate
Property tax (IBI) rebates
Tax on mechanically powered vehicles (IVTM) rebates
Construction, installation and works tax (ICIO) rebates
I have a company or I’m self-employed
Subsidies, grants and funding
Crea Feina Plus 2023 job-creation subsidies
Activa Autòno+ 2023
Barcelona Deep Tech Fund
Locals amb energia – Premises with energy
General call for subsidy applications for district and city projects, activities and
services in 2023
Impulsem el que fas 2023 – We promote what you do 2023
Subsidies for the digital transformation of local shops, bars and restaurants
Subsidies as a support and market recovery measure: general expenditure and
business recovery measures
Mercabarna Impulsa
A proactive city
Urban Challenges
Advice
Intermedia Locals
Business Transfer Service
Barcelona International Welcome Desk
Barcelona International Welcome
Office 22@. Information, advice, and urban-planning and business procedures
point
DigitESSt and DigiDieta
Barcelona Fashion Forward 2023 – We’ll promote your fashion brand 2023
Ground-floor premises and activities, commerce, services and restaurant trade
observatory
Urban Economic Promotion Areas (APEUs)
Talent marketplaces
Barcelona Innova Lab
Business Advice Service
Barcelona Biosphere Commitment to Sustainable Tourism
Social and Solidarity Economy (SSE) Advisory Service
Digitalisation service for SMEs
Social clauses for responsible public procurement
OMIC consumption information and advice service for enterprises
Measures for the promotion of economic activity in Barcelona 2023 63Consumption information and education sessions
Responsible Consumption Space
Futurism
Entrepreneurship programmes for specific groups and sectors
Training
Tech training at the Cibernàrium
Online training for professionals and enterprises
Digital Fab Lab Network (XAS)
Entrepreneurship programmes for specific groups and sectors
Consumption information and education sessions
Responsible Consumption Space
DigitESSt and DigiDieta
Futurism
Barcelona Fashion Forward
Promoting the city
BizBarcelona and Employment Fair
Barcelona International Community Day 2023
Barcelona International Welcome
Presence at trade fairs: ISE, IOT, 4FYN-MWC, SMART CITY EXPO
2030 City Agreement for Healthy and Sustainable Food
Agròpolis participatory space
Regulatory changes and tax rebates
Property tax (IBI) rebates
Economic activity tax (IAE) rebates
Tax on mechanically powered vehicles (IVTM) rebates
Construction, installation and works tax (ICIO) rebates
I’d like to become an entrepreneur
Subsidies, grants and funding
Crea Feina Plus 2023 job-creation subsidies
Activa Autòno+ 2023
Barcelona Deep Tech Fund
Impulsem el que fas 2023 – We promote what you do 2023
Subsidies for the digital transformation of local shops, bars and restaurants
A proactive city
Urban Challenges
Advice
Intermedia Locals
Business Transfer Service
Barcelona International Welcome Desk
Barcelona International Welcome
Office 22@. Information, advice, and urban-planning and business procedures
point
64 Ajuntament de BarcelonaYou can also read
