Barcelona Global https://www.barcelonaglobal.org/content/imgs/icono_rss.png Barcelona Global https://www.barcelonaglobal.org/ Barcelona Global https://www.barcelonaglobal.org/ en Barcelona Global Wed, 24 Jun 2026 11:30:58 +0100 Wed, 24 Jun 2026 11:30:58 +0100 Josep Lluís Sanfeliu, new president of Barcelona Global https://www.barcelonaglobal.org/events-news/news/josep-lluis-sanfeliu-new-president-of-barcelona-global/ Mon, 22 Jun 2026 17:03:14 +0100 Josep Lluís Sanfeliu has been elected president of Barcelona Global for a two-year term (2026–2028). His candidacy, put forward by the outgoing president, Ramon Agenjo, received the unanimous support of the General Assembly of members, in accordance with the organisation’s articles of association, which stipulate that the presidency of the Association is for a non-renewable two-year term. Sanfeliu, co-founder and Managing Partner of Asabys, has been a member of Barcelona Global since the Association’s inception in 2011 and was a member of the outgoing Executive Committee, as well as chairing one of the Association’s projects, the Life Sciences Chapter, which brings together and promotes the life sciences sector in the city. Josep Lluís Sanfeliu succeeds Ramon Agenjo, a director at Damm, who chaired Barcelona Global during the 2024–2026 term. Barcelona Global’s articles of association stipulate that the terms of office for the chair and the Executive Committee are two years. In the case of the chair, re-election is not permitted until at least one full term has elapsed. Barcelona Global has previously been chaired by its founder María Reig, Joaquim Coello, Emilio Cuatrecasas, Marian Puig, Gonzalo Rodés, Pau Guardans, Aurora Catà and Maite Barrera, all of whom are currently honorary presidents, a group to which Ramon Agenjo has now been added. The General Assembly, held at the World Trade Centre in Barcelona, was attended by more than 200 members of Barcelona Global and was attended by the Minister for Economy and Finance of the Government of Catalonia, Alícia Romero; the Minister for Business and Employment, Miquel Sàmper; and the Second Deputy Mayor, Maria Eugènia Gay, amongst other officials. The new president outlined his roadmap for the 2026–2028 period to the Assembly and stated that he would structure his work plan around a central idea: consolidating Barcelona as a city of talent, creativity and innovation. With this objective in mind, the strategy for the 2026–2028 period will focus on five key areas: analysing major urban challenges – housing, safety and mobility – and technological development originating in Barcelona – AI and quantum technologies; strengthening the talent cycle; Barcelona & Partners as a platform for attracting investment; social action; and promoting member participation.

more info

]]> The Supervisory Board endorses Josep Lluís Sanfeliu's candidacy for the presidency of Barcelona Global https://www.barcelonaglobal.org/events-news/news/the-supervisory-board-endorses-josep-lluis-sanfelius-candidacy-for-the-presidency-of-barcelona-global/ Wed, 03 Jun 2026 12:41:14 +0100   • Josep Lluís Sanfeliu presents an Executive Committee made up of 20 members, nine of whom are new additions • Sanfeliu will be supported by three vice-presidents: Rafael Fontana, lawyer and honorary president of Cuatrecasas; Carmina Ganyet, Corporate Director General of Colonial; and Lluís Seguí, co-founder and CEO of Miura Partners • Josep Lluís Sanfeliu's candidacy will be put to a vote by the Barcelona Global members at the General Assembly on 19 June. The Barcelona Global Supervisory Council, meeting today at the BStartup Banc Sabadell headquarters, has endorsed the candidacy of Josep Lluís Sanfeliu, co-founder and Managing Partner of Asabys, for the presidency of Barcelona Global. It will now be the members who vote on the candidacy on 19 June at the General Assembly. The Barcelona Global Supervisory Council is made up of representatives of the corporate founding members, as well as a group of members representing the organisation's cross-cutting diversity. Around 70 people took part in today's session. Josep Lluís Sanfeliu has presented the composition of the Executive Committee (Comex) that will accompany him over the next two years, comprising 20 entrepreneurs and professionals from finance, business, health, innovation, technology, gastronomy, communications and social action, among others. Sanfeliu has proposed three vice-presidencies, which will go to Rafael Fontana, a lawyer and honorary president of Cuatrecasas; Lluís Seguí, co-founder and chief executive of Miura Partners; and Carmina Ganyet, corporate director general of Colonial, the only one to be reappointed to the same post. New additions Nine of the members proposed for the new Executive Committee are new additions: Silvia Alsina, general director of Roman; Chema Casas, general director of Telefónica in Catalonia; Romain Fornell, Michelin-starred chef and entrepreneur; Michael Goldenberg, Managing Director of Value Retail; Ousman Umar, founder and president of Nasco Feeding Minds; Ernest Quingles, co-founder of Axia&Partners; and Isabel Vidal, General Manager of Grup Focus, as well as vice-presidents Rafael Fontana and Lluís Seguí. The 11 members who will continue on the Executive Committee are, in addition to Vice-President Carmina Ganyet, Maria Alsina (CaixaBank); Michael Blackman (ISE); Ana Godó (Grupo Godó); Sergi Loughney (La Caixa Foundation); Ainhoa Moll (Prensa Ibérica); Jaume Oliu (Harvest Capital Management); Daniel Puig (FBCN); Lidan Qi Xhou (Aleu Medical); Josep Tabernero (Vall d'Hebron Institute of Oncology); and Carles Ventura (Banc Sabadell). Héctor Bros, a partner at Cuatrecasas, will continue as secretary of the Executive Committee, and Mercè Conesa as general director of Barcelona Global. Josep Lluís Sanfeliu has explained his strategy for this new phase, which will be based on three pillars: "people, strategic sectors with a future and a local foothold in the city, and attracting investment, always with a cross-cutting priority: to build a more open, welcoming, competitive and prepared Barcelona to lead major international projects." Sanfeliu has added that one of his objectives is "to turn Barcelona Global's influence into tangible impact so that the city is recognised as a global capital of talent, as a city capable of retaining, attracting and growing talent, represented by people who have been born here or have chosen Barcelona; people, companies and new investments that contribute to the creation of economic prosperity and social progress." For his part, President Ramon Agenjo highlighted in his speech ‘the pride of presiding over an association like Barcelona Global, which works to improve the city’, and added that leading the Association is a relay race in which the new president takes over from the previous one to continue the projects and strengthen the Association. Agenjo has congratulated his successor, highlighting his great passion for the city, as well as the energy and generosity in accepting the leadership of the project. Josep Lluís Sanfeliu has been a member of Barcelona Global since its foundation in 2011 and has served on the Executive Committees of five previous presidents. Ramon Agenjo has chaired Barcelona Global since 2024. The statutes of Barcelona Global state that the terms of office for the presidents and the Executive Committee are two years. In the case of the presidency, there is no possibility of re-election until at least one term has elapsed. Barcelona Global has been chaired to date by its founder María Reig, Joaquim Coello, Emilio Cuatrecasas, Marian Puig, Gonzalo Rodés, Pau Guardans, Aurora Catà and Maite Barrera, all of whom are currently honorary presidents. Josep Lluís Sanfeliu Josep Lluís Sanfeliu (Barcelona, 1974) is co-founder and Managing Partner of Asabys. A law graduate, his professional career has been developed mainly in the legal, financial and managerial fields, first at Cuatrecasas and then at KPMG and Almirall, and currently as an institutional investor in the biomedical sector. Sanfeliu holds a degree in Law from Pompeu Fabra University (UPF), a master's degree in International Law from the University of Michigan and an MBA from IESE Business School, in addition to studying piano and music at the Liceu Conservatory. Josep Lluís Sanfeliu co-founded the venture capital firm Ysios Capital in 2008, specialising in biotechnology. During this time he has been a private investor in leading technology start-ups in Barcelona. In 2018, he co-founded Asabys Partners, one of Spain's leading venture capital firms in biotechnology and health technologies innovation, from which he has helped to boost companies in areas such as oncology, cardiology, neurotechnology, mental health, biomedical artificial intelligence and medical devices. His ties to Barcelona extend from his years as a tour guide and Olympic volunteer to his current philanthropic involvement in various social and cultural institutions such as Barcelona Actua, the Aura Foundation, the Gran Teatre del Liceu, the Palau de la Música, the Catalunya Cultura Foundation and the Oak House School Foundation.

more info

]]> Barcelona el Prat Airport has the first Spanish direct flight between Barcelona and Istanbul operated by Vueling https://www.barcelonaglobal.org/events-news/updates/https_-www.elnacional.cat-oneconomia-es-empresas-vueling-sera-primera-aerolinea-con-vuelo-directo-entre-barcelona-estambul_1246473_102.html/ Tue, 09 Jul 2024 12:44:39 +0100 more info

]]> Hospital del Mar is the first center in Spain to create a code that diagnoses intestinal infarctions https://www.barcelonaglobal.org/events-news/updates/https_-www.europapress.es-catalunya-noticia-hospital-mar-barcelona-crea-codigo-detectar-infartos-intestinales-urgencias-20240703083451.html/ Tue, 09 Jul 2024 12:42:25 +0100 more info

]]> Nike rents 800 square meters in Aura and prepares to open a new shop in Francesc Macià https://www.barcelonaglobal.org/events-news/updates/https_-www.expansion.com-catalunya-2024-07-02-6682fb6fe5fdea3f4d8b45b7.html/ Tue, 09 Jul 2024 12:39:21 +0100 more info

]]> Esteve to invest 100 million euros and build a second factory in Girona, with an impact of 100 new jobs https://www.barcelonaglobal.org/events-news/updates/https_-www.expansion.com-catalunya-2024-06-28-667f0f6b468aebd24b8b458c.html/ Tue, 09 Jul 2024 12:38:05 +0100 more info

]]> Telefónica, Cellnex, Applus, Merlin Properties, Colonial, Endesa, Fluidra, Banco Sabadell, and Mapfre among the World's Most Sustainable Companies of 2024 according to TIME https://www.barcelonaglobal.org/events-news/updates/https_-time.com-collection-worlds-most-sustainable-companies-2024/ Tue, 09 Jul 2024 12:37:14 +0100 more info

]]> Alpine opens its first 'Atelier' in the world in Barcelona to become a benchmark in the cars and motor industry https://www.barcelonaglobal.org/events-news/updates/https_-www.thenewbarcelonapost.com-alpine-abre-en-barcelona-su-primer-atelier-del-mundo-para-ser-referente-del-motor/ Thu, 27 Jun 2024 12:02:06 +0100 more info

]]> IAG, the holding company of Vueling and Iberia, sets up an AI technology hub with 150 engineers https://www.barcelonaglobal.org/events-news/updates/https_-www.lavanguardia.com-dinero-20240619-9744106-iag-abrira-centro-inteligencia-artificial-barcelona-150-ingenieros.html/ Thu, 27 Jun 2024 12:00:59 +0100 more info

]]> Barcelona to host the start of the Tour de France in July 2026 with more than 150 cyclists and three more stages around Catalonia. https://www.barcelonaglobal.org/events-news/updates/https_-www.thenewbarcelonapost.cat-barcelona-acollira-la-sortida-del-tour-de-franca-el-2026/ Thu, 27 Jun 2024 11:59:19 +0100 more info

]]> Hospital Sant Joan de Déu and Amancio Ortega Foundation create the first centre for uncommon diseases research in Barcelona https://www.barcelonaglobal.org/events-news/updates/https_-www.lavanguardia.com-vida-20240612-9726080-centro-investigar-enfermedades-raras-amancio-ortega.html-utm_source=app_deeplink-utm_medium=notification-utm_term=20240612_es.lavanguardia.list.ultimahora-utm_content=59_millones_de_euros/ Thu, 27 Jun 2024 11:58:10 +0100 more info

]]> Sony choses Barcelona to host the 2nd AI center of Europe that develops projects that accelerate scientific advances and innovate in the gastronomic world https://www.barcelonaglobal.org/events-news/updates/https_-www.lavanguardia.com-dinero-20240611-9723778-sony-elige-barcelona-instalar-centro-inteligencia-artificial.html/ Thu, 27 Jun 2024 11:56:30 +0100 more info

]]> Ramon Agenjo, new President of Barcelona Global https://www.barcelonaglobal.org/events-news/news/ramon-agenjo-new-president-of-barcelona-global/ Thu, 27 Jun 2024 10:42:03 +0100 Barcelona Global General Assembly elects Ramon Agenjo as the new President of Barcelona Global for the next two years (2024 - 2026), as well as the executive committee that will accompany him. Barcelona Global brought together more than 300 members at its annual Assembly in the America's Cup Experience, a very emblematic and relevant place for the city this 2024. The event was a very special moment to bring together all the members, update on the projects we are working on, take stock of the two years of Maite Barrera's presidency and vote for Ramon Agenjo's candidacy as the new President of the Association. Thank you to all of you who were able to join us at the beginning of this new stage and for making it happen one more year. Make it happen!

more info

]]> Barcelona ranks 3rd in Europe in terms of digital job offers, adding 13,500 new tech professionals https://www.barcelonaglobal.org/events-news/updates/https_-www.lavanguardia.com-economia-20240606-9711727-sector-digital-barcelona-crece-12-alcanza-122-000-profesionales.html/ Wed, 12 Jun 2024 10:01:44 +0100 more info

]]> Disfrutar, the world's best restaurant of 2024 by the British ranking The World's 50 Best Restaurants https://www.barcelonaglobal.org/events-news/updates/https_-www.lavanguardia.com-comer-al-dia-20240606-9708707-disfrutar-mejor-restaurante-mundo-the-worlds-50-best-restaurants.html/ Wed, 12 Jun 2024 10:00:17 +0100 more info

]]> The Swiss watch brand, Tudor, opens its first-ever boutique in Spain at Passeig de Gràcia https://www.barcelonaglobal.org/events-news/updates/https_-www.thenewbarcelonapost.com-tudor-abre-primera-boutique-de-espana-en-paseo-de-gracia/ Wed, 12 Jun 2024 09:59:01 +0100 more info

]]> Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, the first center in Spain to incorporate the therapy for complete tricuspid heart valve replacement https://www.barcelonaglobal.org/events-news/updates/https_-www.lavanguardia.com-sociedad-20240604-9705835-hospital-sant-pau-barcelona-realiza-sustitucion-completa-valvula-tricuspide-corazon-ep-agenciaslv20240604.html/ Wed, 12 Jun 2024 09:56:43 +0100 more info

]]> Barcelona, the 5th best general startup hub in the EU, and 1st in the world in the videogames and pharmaceutical sector https://www.barcelonaglobal.org/events-news/updates/https_-www.thenewbarcelonapost.com-barcelona-quinto-hub-de-startups-de-la-ue-y-primero-en-videojuegos-y-farmacia/ Wed, 12 Jun 2024 09:55:23 +0100 more info

]]> The Barcelona 2044 program closes its 5th edition in the Saló de Cent at Ajuntament de Barcelona https://www.barcelonaglobal.org/events-news/news/the-barcelona-2044-program-closes-its-edition-in-the-salo-de-cent-at-ajuntament-de-barcelona/ Wed, 05 Jun 2024 12:16:43 +0100 The 36 participants of the Barcelona 2044 participated yesterday in the last session of the program in the Saló de Cent, where they shared with the fourth Deputy Mayor, Jordi Valls, the Municipal Manager Albert Dalmau, and the Manager of economic promotion, Miquel Rodríguez, their proposals to face the city challenges that they have identified during the program.  They presented 4 ideas around the different sectors such as science, medicine and pharmaceuticals; entrepreneurship, technology and industry; mobility, infrastructures, design and architecture; and tourism, culture and sports, which they worked on in two group dynamics led by Xavier Verdaguer and the Imagine Creativity Center team.   Barcelona 2040 is a program addressed to young people under 33 years old with an interest, commitment and desire to actively participate in the future development of the city, in which they learn about Barcelona's main sectors together with their leaders.  The sixth edition of the program will begin in September 2024, so don't hesitate to apply to participate or to propose candidates for the Barcelona 2045 here.

The Barcelona 2044 program closes its 5th edition in the Saló de Cent at Ajuntament de Barcelona

more info

]]> FC Barcelona women's team wins the Champions League, becoming the most-watched women's sports final in history https://www.barcelonaglobal.org/events-news/updates/https_-www.elperiodico.com-es-deportes-20240526-triunfo-barca-champions-femenina-mas-vista-historia-102926847/ Wed, 29 May 2024 09:59:58 +0100 more info

]]> Louis Vuitton consolidates its Cruise Collection in Barcelona with more than 600 attendees at Park Güell https://www.barcelonaglobal.org/events-news/updates/https_-www.elperiodico.com-es-estilo-y-famosos-20240523-louis-vuitton-barcelona-desfile-crucero-2025-park-guell-invitados-mejores-momentos-102772538/ Wed, 29 May 2024 09:57:48 +0100 more info

]]> Puig Women's America's Cup gets ready for its historic inauguration with the announcement of the trophy https://www.barcelonaglobal.org/events-news/updates/https_-www.thenewbarcelonapost.cat-copa-de-america-femenina-es-prepara-per-a-seva-estrena-historica/ Wed, 29 May 2024 09:56:52 +0100 more info

]]> IESE and ESADE rank 2nd best universities of the world in Executive Education followed by EADA at the 16th position, according to the Financial Times https://www.barcelonaglobal.org/events-news/updates/https_-rankings.ft.com-rankings-2956-executive-education-open-2024/ Wed, 29 May 2024 09:55:19 +0100 more info

]]> Formula 1 cars transform for the first time in history the streets of Barcelona into a circuit that goes from Passeig de Gràcia to Carrer Aragó https://www.barcelonaglobal.org/events-news/updates/https_-www.thenewbarcelonapost.com-coches-de-formula-1-invadiran-paseo-de-gracia/ Wed, 29 May 2024 09:54:11 +0100 more info

]]> Barcelona Global closes the year with the Barcelona on the Global Map https://www.barcelonaglobal.org/events-news/news/barcelona-global-closes-the-year-with-the-barcelona-on-the-global-map/ Wed, 10 Jan 2024 11:41:15 +0100 More than 300 members of Barcelona Global met at the CosmoCaixa Science Museum to end the year with the Barcelona on the Global Map and share the Make it happen! of 2023 and the new challenges of 2024. 2023 ends full of Make it happen to continue making Barcelona one of the best cities in the world for impactful talent and economic activity: Approval of the new LOSU with the main achievements that Barcelona Global has launched to internationalize higher education. Development and presentation of the Housing Challenge with the challenges and solutions to generate affordable housing in Barcelona. Launch of the Life Sciences Chapter to position the city as the European capital of life sciences. 10th anniversary of Hola Barcelona! Cocktail. Development and presentation of the 6th edition of the International Talent Monitor. Barcelona & Partners, Barcelona Global's investment attraction agency, gets 10 companies to choose Barcelona to set up shop.

more info

]]> Challenges and solutions to generate affordable housing in the metropolitan region of Barcelona https://www.barcelonaglobal.org/events-news/news/challenges-and-solutions-to-generate-affordable-housing-in-the-metropolitan-region-of-barcelona/ Thu, 23 Nov 2023 12:55:40 +0100 Yesterday we presented Barcelona Global's challenges and solutions to generate affordable housing in the metropolitan region of Barcelona, within the framework of the Barcelona Global Challenge project. Access to housing is a structural problem that affects the well-being of the entire population and the competitiveness of Barcelona and its area of influence. A deficit that will be aggravated in the future by the growth of new models of coexistence and despite the low increase in the population. The report, prepared with more than 56 experts and members of Barcelona Global, concludes that there is land available in the short and medium term to generate affordable housing and that there is financing to develop it. To face this challenge, the document proposes an Acceleration Plan for the construction of affordable housing, greater public-private collaboration and more proactive management by administrations. The report has been coordinated by Maite Barrera Xaubet, President of Barcelona Global, Mercè Conesa, CEO of the Association and Jaume Oliu, CEO of Raset Ventures, and has had the participation of Enric Batlle (Batlle i Roig), Lluis Cases (Garrigues), Anna Gener (Savills), Pau Pérez de Acha (Sareb), Marcel Prunera (Guinot Prunera), Manel Rodriguez (SALAS) and Carme Trilla (Fundació Habitat 3).

Challenges and solutions to generate affordable housing in the metropolitan region of Barcelona

more info

]]> 5th edition of the Barcelona 2040 https://www.barcelonaglobal.org/events-news/news/5th-edition-of-the-2040/ Thu, 26 Oct 2023 11:49:13 +0100 The fifth edition of Barcelona 2040 begins!: The leadership and city program that we launched for the first time in September 2020 and which seeks to train and connect young talent to know Barcelona from all its areas and develop proposals for the future. In this edition, Barcelona 2044, 37 young people were selected by an acceptance committee. This group will get to know 10 key sectors of Barcelona through different sessions and visits to companies and institutions together with their leaders.

5th edition of the Barcelona 2040

more info

]]> Presentation of the International Talent Monitor 2023 Results https://www.barcelonaglobal.org/events-news/news/presentation-of-the-international-talent-monitor-2023-results/ Thu, 26 Oct 2023 11:24:03 +0100 Barcelona Global presenta the 6th edition of the Barcelona Global International Talent Monitor, the survey carried out in collaboration with Banco Sabadell that seeks to better understand the challenges faced by international talent living and working in Barcelona. With more than 1,000 responses and 8 focus groups, this is a comprehensive report that allows us to monitor the needs of this talent and define calls of action. Barcelonians by choice continue to rate Barcelona highly for its quality of life, health system, cultural offerings, connectivity and public transport, aspects that they believe contribute to make it attractive for impactful talent to choose Barcelona as a city to work, research, create, invest or undertake. They also highlight housing, bureaucracy and air quality as challenges that the city must face. International talent also believes that Barcelona should promote sectors such as sustainability, culture, education, technology and the startup ecosystem to boost the city's economy and innovation. Check the results in depth here. 

Presentation of the International Talent Monitor 2023 Results

more info

]]> Barcelona MBA Day 2023 https://www.barcelonaglobal.org/events-news/news/barcelona-mba-day-2023/ Thu, 26 Oct 2023 11:17:11 +0100 Barcelona stands out in higher education for its many business schools in world rankings. Every year, hundreds of future global managers and executives choose Barcelona to study. For this reason, Barcelona Global organises the Barcelona MBA Day, with the aim of showing our city to future ambassadors of Barcelona. The 5th edition of the MBA Day gathered more than 500 international MBA students from EADA, EAE, ESADE, ESIC, IESE, IQS and UPF Barcelona School of Management to get to know the business, scientific, entrepreneurial and technological Barcelona from its top representatives. Thanks to the more than 20 companies, research centres and cultural entities that opened their doors to show Barcelona's potential as a global city and especially to the volunteers, Barcelona 2040 participants and members of Barcelona Global, who acted as guides for the students and made it possible. The day ended at the America's Cup Experience, where all the participants, collaborating companies and volunteers met to learn more about the economic impact that the 37th edition of the America's Cup will have on the city through the testimonies of Daniel Puig, Vice President of Barcelona Global and President of the Executive Committee of the Barcelona Nautical Capital Foundation; Mercè Conesa, CEO of Barcelona Global; and Natalia Vía Dufresne, Director of External Relations of the America's Cup Experience. Check the photos here.

Barcelona MBA Day 2023

more info

]]> 10th Hola Barcelona! Cocktail https://www.barcelonaglobal.org/events-news/news/10th-hola-barcelona!-cocktail/ Fri, 29 Sep 2023 14:04:49 +0100 Barcelona Global celebrated the 10th anniversary of the Hola Barcelona! Cocktail, the event aming to welcome the international talent that has chosen Barcelona to live and work.  The Palauet Albéniz gathered more than 1.500 attendees representing 81 different nationalities to welcome the international talent living and working in Barcelona. Special thanks to our conductors, speakers, sponsors, and all our members who joined us, it wouldn't have been possible without you!  Check the photos here! Thanks for making it happen!

10th Hola Barcelona! Cocktail

more info

]]> Presentation of City Talent Index 2022 https://www.barcelonaglobal.org/events-news/news/city-talent-index-2022/ Thu, 06 Jul 2023 13:48:50 +0100 Barcelona Global and NTT DATA have presented the new City Talent Index report, which aims to measure the ability of cities to attract and retain talent. This report concludes that Barcelona is the best city in southern Europe to live and work due to its attractive entrepreneurial ecosystem, an excellent postgraduate education system and an attractive lifestyle. Barcelona is the first Spanish and Southern European city to appear in the ranking - lead by London once again- ranked the 12th position out of 32 European cities analysed, all part of the top 50 with the most regional GDP level and population. The report evaluates the main competitiveness levels of cities based on more than 50 indicators from organizations such as the OECD, Eurostat, the World Bank and Unicef, among others. More than 30 members of Barcelona Global, experts in talent attraction, research, mobility, sustainability, culture, urban planning and taxation, participated in drawing up the report's conclusions. Among the proposals to improve the positioning of Barcelona it stands out:  1. Strengthen the business network through the promotion and attraction of large initiatives and projects2. Become a city benchmark in sustainability3. Improve the regulatory and tax system, with the consolidation of the Startup Law4. The internationalization of the educational system to generate and attract a greater number of international students5. The adoption of measures to encourage the attraction of international talent, such as streamlining and digitizing administrative procedures6. Boost innovation to turn Barcelona into a center of excellence in research.

more info

]]> Presentation of the proposal of the working group on the Aeroport El Prat https://www.barcelonaglobal.org/events-news/news/we-present-the-proposal-of-the-working-group-on-the-aeroport-el-prat/ Tue, 04 Jul 2023 17:42:07 +0100 Today we presented Barcelona Global's proposal to turn Barcelona - El Prat Airport (BCN) into an international hub. This consists of extending the short runway parallel to the sea to allow intercontinental flights to take place, regenerating La Ricarda, and improving the quality of the ornithological area. These conclusions are the result of a working group, led by the President of Barcelona Global, Maite Barrera Xaubet; the CEO Mercè Conesa; Projects Director, Cristina H. Valiñani; the Ecosocial Activist, Sergi Ferrer-Salat; and the Vall d’Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO) Director, Josep Tabernero and members of the Executive Committee. Experts from different sectors, such as aeronautics and infrastructure, as well as with economists, biologists, ecologists, ornithologists and researchers of the natural environment, have also been consulted. During seven months, the work group analyzed the different options for improving the airport's connections, guaranteeing environmental sustainability and the need to have good connectivity, essential for the city's competitiveness and the attraction of impactful talent and investment. This proposal will be introduced to the Generalitat de Catalunya and the other administrations in the upcoming weeks. Regenerating La Ricarda is key, as it currently does not have proper water management, causing a destruction of the biodiversity and eutrophic waters. Therefore, it is essential to improve the quality of the bird area. On the other hand, Barcelona Global proposes to lengthen the short runway parallel to the sea to make it possible for intercontinental flights to take off, avoiding the acoustic impact and the reduction in capacity that occurs if they take off from the land runway. At the same time, the report also prioritizes international routes to economically relevant destinations for the knowledge economy and impactful talent, and reroute flights to Girona or Reus setting initiatives for trips to the Costa Brava or the Costa Daurada. In this way, Barcelona will have a better connectivity, without promoting the escalation in tourist saturation, from the triple ecological, economic and social aspect, on the city's resources and the lives of the citizens.

more info

]]> Last session of Barcelona 2043 https://www.barcelonaglobal.org/events-news/news/last-session-of-barcelona-2043/ Thu, 29 Jun 2023 10:25:38 +0100 The 37 young people of Barcelona 2043 took part on Tuesday 27 June in the last session of the programme in the Saló de Cent, where they shared with Mayor Jaume Collboni and the fourth deputy mayor, Jordi Valls, their proposals for tackling the challenges facing the city that they have identified over the last 9 months. The young people presented in 6 groups their conclusions and suggestions on mobility and infrastructures; culture and sport; entrepreneurship and technology; tourism; science and medicine; industry and architecture, which they worked on in two group dynamics led by Xavier Verdaguer and the Imagine Creativity Center team. Barcelona 2040 is a programme aimed at young people aged between 26 and 35 who are interested, committed and eager to play an active role in the future development of the city, in which they learn about Barcelona's main sectors from their leaders.

Last session of Barcelona 2043

more info

]]> Meeting with the new Mayor of Barcelona, Jaume Collboni https://www.barcelonaglobal.org/events-news/news/meeting-with-the-new-mayor-of-barcelona-jaume-collboni/ Thu, 29 Jun 2023 10:13:11 +0100 On Tuesday 27 June we met with the new Mayor of Barcelona, Jaume Collboni, to inform him of Barcelona Global's priorities in order to promote the city of impact talent. The Mayor received a representation of the Executive Committee of Barcelona Global, headed by its President, Maite Barrera Xaubet, who explained the challenges that Barcelona must face in the next 4 years, among which stand out: Attracting and retaining high-impact talent. Interconnected and environmentally friendly airport Affordable and accessible housing Sustainable and decarbonised mobility Attraction of major international events Public space and security Public-private collaboration and civil society leadership to address the city's challenges. We also explained to the Mayor the projects that the Association has underway, such as the construction of the first plant in Spain dedicated to the design and prototyping of advanced material chips; the attraction of companies and digital hubs in the city through Barcelona&Partners; the improvement of taxation; the internationalisation of education; and the analysis of the gap between the generation of talent in Barcelona so that the city offers opportunities and makes a clear commitment to impact talent.

more info

]]> Barcelona Global General Assembly https://www.barcelonaglobal.org/events-news/news/barcelona-global-general-assembly/ Wed, 21 Jun 2023 14:06:27 +0100 On Tuesday 20 June, took place the Barcelona Global General Assembly UIC Barcelona, to take stock of the past year and set the next goals for the 2024 agenda. The session featured speeches by Maite Barrera Xaubet, President of Barcelona Global; Mercè Conesa, CEO of Barcelona Global; and Montse Puig, CEO of Barcelona & Partners. The President highlighted Barcelona as a city of impact talent. "Barcelona has a superpower that sets it apart from other cities: a committed, entrepreneurial civil society that builds up public-private alliances to make Barcelona an attractive city for investment and talent", claimed Maite Barrera. The Assembly included a presentation by Dr. Joan Seoane, Co-Director of VHIO's Preclinical and Translational Research Programme, on scientific research in the field of cancer. Seoane highlighted the importance of science and research and how Barcelona is a benchmark in this field. Check the photos here

more info

]]> Check Objectiu Barcelona: 50 preguntes per als candidats https://www.barcelonaglobal.org/events-news/news/check-objectiu-barcelona_-50-preguntes-per-als-candidats/ Thu, 11 May 2023 12:51:36 +0100 Barcelona is preparing for its municipal elections, on May 28. A key moment for the city, since it chooses its future and defines the direction in which the key projects for attracting and retaining talent will be developed. In addition, it is also an opportunity to think about the Barcelona we aspire and tackle the challenges and opportunities of the city on the table.   For this reason, and like four years ago, Barcelona Global and La Vanguardia have organized seven sessions with the candidates for mayor of Barcelona to find out their opinion on key city proposals that Barcelona Global has worked on in recent years.   With Barcelona as the goal, our members have formulated more than 120 questions and worked on them through 6 focus groups on topics such as talent and investment attraction, culture, tourism and trade, urbanism and housing, mobility and decarbonisation, social innovation and quality of life, which 42 members expertsin each field have asked to the mayors in a one-hour session at CASA SEAT.   If you want to know more about the candidates' proposals, you can see the sessions and the articles about the session again here:   - Ada Colau Sesion and article.  - Xavier Trias Sesion and article.  - Ernest Maragall Sesion and article - Daniel Sirera Sesion and article - Anna Grau Sesion and article - Eva Parera Sesion and article - Sesión Jaume Collboni y artículo

more info

]]> Barcelona Global boosts the university internationalization in the new LOSU https://www.barcelonaglobal.org/events-news/news/barcelona-global-boosts-the-university-internationalization-in-the-new-losu/ Mon, 13 Mar 2023 09:43:35 +0100 Barcelona Global works to position Barcelona as a global hub in higher education and turn this sector into a focus of opportunity and economic activity for the city. Since the end of 2019 we have been working together with a group of experts to promote the necessary steps to position Barcelona as a destination for international university and postgraduate students. Last Thursday the new LOSU Law was approved, which includes some of the advances promoted by Barcelona Global. We summarize the main achievements that Barcelona Global has achieved in this project to internationalize higher education: Promote international inter-university alliances that are also those that allow the duration of the degrees to be 3 years, the majority in the rest of Europe. Include, for the first time, a whole section on internationalization, according to which the Government, the CCAA and the universities will develop strategies to internationalize the university system. Expedite the process of the study visas to attract talent. Facilitate that foreign students who finish their studies can extend the visa to work for a minimum period of two years. Include in the Law an article to create a web page in English in order to simplify, digitize and expedite the process of obtaining a visa. All these achievements will improve Barcelona's position as a benchmark in the generation, attraction, retention and return of impact talent.

more info

]]> Barcelona Global and Banco Sabadell renew the agreement to develop the International Talent Monitor https://www.barcelonaglobal.org/events-news/news/barcelona-global-and-banco-sabadell-renew-the-agreement-to-develop-the-international-talent-monitor/ Fri, 10 Mar 2023 11:35:28 +0100 Barcelona Global and Banco Sabadell have renewed the collaboration agreement to develop the sixth edition of the International Talent Monitor, the biennial survey that seeks to find out what international talent thinks (professionals, researchers, entrepreneurs, entrepreneurs, artists, creative , among others) who have decided to live and work in Barcelona in six areas: working conditions, business, social integration, education, living conditions and general perception.   During May, the survey will be sent to these Barcelonian by choice through research centers, business schools, education centers, start-ups and companies with a high index of internationals and, at the same time, eight focus groups will be organized to deal with the results in more depth.   Check the last edition of the International Talent Monitor. 

more info

]]> Barcelona Global celebrates the Barcelona on the Global Map https://www.barcelonaglobal.org/events-news/news/barcelona-global-celebrates-the-barcelona-on-the-global-map/ Fri, 23 Dec 2022 13:30:50 +0100 Barcelona Global met yesterday with more than 300 members at the Disseny Hub Barcelona to share the Make it Happen of this 2022 and the challenges that we will face together in this new stage. The event began with a meeting of more than 60 members of the International Council to find out the vision of Barcelona in the world and how we can continue working to be ambassadors of the city abroad. For more than two hours we have been able to share some of the projects we are working on together with Mercè Conesa, the new CEO of Barcelona Global, and Montse Puig, CEO of Barcelona & Partners, to continue making Barcelona a more attractive city for talent and economic activity. We have also reviewed the main conclusions of the Perception Survey 2022. With the answers and experiences of the International Council we have been able to identify the main challenges in Barcelona that want to translate into concrete actions.

more info

]]> Barcelona Global contributes to the approval of the Startups Law https://www.barcelonaglobal.org/events-news/news/barcelona-global-contributes-to-the-approval-of-the-startups-law/ Mon, 07 Nov 2022 13:01:52 +0100 On Thursday, December 1, the Congress of Deputies approved the Law for the Promotion of the ecosystem of emerging companies, better known as the Startups Law. After more than 5 years of work, which Barcelona Global began under the presidency of Gonzalo Rodés and which has had the support of hundreds of members and 14 law firms, this law comes out, opening a path for improvements to achieve the Barcelona of talent to which we aspire and to continue introducing improvements both in taxation and in the bureaucracy associated with attracting talent. These are some of the main achievements for Barcelona and find out what this law means for Barcelona: Facilitate the attraction of independent professionals and investors by making it possible for them to take advantage of the non-resident tax regime as the employees already did, thus correcting a discrepancy. This will make possible, for example, to attract professionals and investors experienced in scaling up companies that can provide services to startups andturn Barcelona into a true unicorn-generating hub Enable startups to compete with corporations to attract talent through stock option plans, without taxation deactivating the incentive. Speed up the hiring of international talent by facilitating the access to the NIE, allowing a period of 6 months to obtain it. Enable the incorporation of international students of higher education already in Barcelona as local talent,as upon finishing their studies they will be able to have a permit for up to two years to look for a job or create companies Encourage investments in startups by improving the taxation for venture capital fund managers and business angels.Private and individual investment in emerging companies is also encouraged by increasing the deductible amount and the exemption.  Attract digital nomads to work from Barcelona for their companies abroad, granting them residence permits for up to three years, renewable. Streamline the process for an innovative emerging company to be certified:if after three months the mandatory report on its innovative aspect is not issued, it is granted under the principle of positive silence. Extend the consideration of emerging company to those with a turnover of up to 10 million euros within the considerationwith a time limit of 5 or 7 years from their creation. This law opens a path for improvements to achieve the Barcelona of talent to which we aspire and it is time to continue introducing improvements both in taxation and in the bureaucracy associated with attracting talent.

more info

]]>