Fira de Barcelona’s Montjuïc venue will host the 35th edition of the Saló de l’Ensenyament, taking place from 18 to 22 March 2026, bringing together the most comprehensive educational offering in Catalonia. 

Once again, Barcelona Activa will be present with its own stand at pavilion 3 (stand 12), where it will offer information and personalised advice on the resources available to help young people find their direction, discover educational options and prepare for their academic future. It will also serve to present the Convent de Barcelona Activa, the city’s main municipal facility for career guidance and support for young people in their job search. 

The stand will offer a participatory proposal to bring these services closer to visitors, with prizes such as popcorn, tote bags and stickers. Visitors will also be able to take the Professional Interests Test  with support to interpret the results, as well as a key skills test to discover additional resources. 

Throughout the event, visitors will be able to receive direct guidance and discover resources related to free courses, job opportunities, mentoring and support for entrepreneurship. The aim is to provide young people with useful tools to help them make informed decisions about their educational and professional pathways. 

The Saló de l’Ensenyament will bring together more than 250 exhibitors and will feature all Catalan universities, vocational training centres and other educational institutions. The fair is aimed particularly at students in 3rd and 4th year of ESO, upper secondary education and vocational training, as well as families who are deciding on future study options. 

Further information about the fair and tickets can be found on the event’s official website. 

The Barcelona City Council, through Barcelona Activa, today inaugurates the new LIDERA, a hub of economic activity aimed at promoting women’s professional growth, fostering the diversification of the economic fabric and helping to break the glass ceiling that still limits women’s access to positions of responsibility.

Created in 2018, the LIDERA initiative takes a significant step forward after eight years, having already supported more than 8,000 women. It is now consolidated as a hub of economic activity, increasing its resources and investment to expand its impact and reinforcing the municipal commitment to quality employment and the promotion of female talent in the city.

The new LIDERA is expected to provide services to more than 3,000 users per year. It is aimed at professional women who want to improve their skills, entrepreneurs who lead a project, businesswomen who want to consolidate or grow their company and women who aspire to access middle-management or executive positions. It is also addressed to entities and organizations committed to promoting female talent.

This hub is structured around three main areas of activity: talent and training, with mentoring, workshops, training programmes and scholarships linked to the IT Academy; entrepreneurship, innovation and financing, offering support to create and manage business projects; and ecosystem, with a community of talent and entrepreneurship that already includes organizations such as ASODAME, Dones en Xarxa, Dones pel Futur and Lean In Network.

The  facility is located on the second floor of the MediaTIC building and includes an auditorium, coworking spaces, training and meeting rooms, podcast and video rooms, a library and an outdoor terrace for networking activities, with the aim of becoming a strategic asset for the city in support of female talent.

According to the study Women in the labour market by the Barcelona City Council and Barcelona Activa, female participation in the labour market has maintained sustained growth over the last twenty years. Although the female unemployment rate in Barcelona (8.1%) is lower than that of Catalonia, Spain and the European Union, women continue to experience long-term unemployment to a greater extent. In this context, initiatives such as LIDERA aim to strengthen women’s professional opportunities and move towards a more equitable labour market.

Find out more on the LIDERA website.

From March 2nd to 5th, 4YFN, located at Fira de Barcelona Gran Via, has once again placed the city at the heart of the global startup and innovation ecosystem. This year, the fair brought together 105,000 attendees from 207 countries, with 1,000 exhibitors, sponsors, and partners, and 300 speakers. 

Barcelona Activa has reinforced its commitment to technological entrepreneurship with its own stand at Hall 8.1, designed as a meeting point for the local and international entrepreneurial community. The space combined personalized attention on municipal services, a meeting agenda, and networking activities, aiming to showcase the city's technological talent and generate new collaboration opportunities. 

During the four days of the fair, key resources for startups and companies were presented, such as the municipal investment fund for business financing, new support programs, and strategic initiatives related to innovation and digitalization. 

The showroom has been one of the central spaces, with the participation of five emerging companies: Hoop Slam, MICA ECO, Safe Hands, Balance Phone, and VRAIn, which presented their solutions to investors and professional audiences. Additionally, the Village of Barcelona Activa hosted 24 startups in its own spaces, consolidating the stand as a platform for the projection of emerging companies in the city. 

ÀgraTechAI, Arq Quantum Technologies, Atleia, Biyiud, Cell-flow, Chatty Hiring, Color Sensing, Cyberand, eKlevo, Giarobotics, Manina Medtech, Metascan, Metly, Ondaloop, Peimi, Rackety, Remotto, Salssa, Seven Sector, Shoptimus AI, Somia Solutions, Squid, Tauniqo i Zenit. 

Participation in 4YFN strengthens Barcelona Activa's role as a reference in innovation, employment, and entrepreneurship, and highlights the city's commitment to technology, digitalization, and sustainable economic growth based on talent. 

MWC and 4YFN will return next year from March 1st to 4th, 2027. 

In parallel, the Talent Arena, the European talent digital gathering, was held on the occasion of MWC. The event brought together tech professionals, companies, and educational centers in a space dedicated to learning and connecting with new job opportunities, reinforcing the importance of digital talent for the business fabric of Barcelona. 

Check out all of Barcelona Activa’s participation in the fair and catch the highlights in the summary video. 

Barcelona once again becomes the epicentre of technological talent with a new edition of Talent Arena, the event promoted by Mobile World Capital Barcelona as part of the MWC. From 2 to 4 March 2026, the Montjuïc venue of Fira de Barcelona will bring together companies, startups, training centres and tech professionals to analyse digital labour market trends and the evolution of the most in-demand profiles.

Barcelona Activa will participate at the Barcelona stand with several activities, with a special focus on women and technology, two workshops and mentoring sessions for students. It will also feature an IT Academy Booth, highlighting professional reskilling and upskilling in critical sectors, with the support of Cisco and UPC as institutional partners.

Monday, 2 March

• 10:00 am–6:00 pm – Mentoring. Personalised mentoring sessions in Web Development, Data Analysis and Cybersecurity
• 1:30–2:30 pm – Women, Digital Skills and the Future of Work: the role of Barcelona Activa in technological empowerment, with Barcelona Activa.
• 3:00–4:30 pm – Workshop. Cybersecurity with Cisco. The gateway to your career in the digital sector, with Cisco.

Tuesday, 3 March

• 11:30 am–12:30 pm – Female talent in the tech sector (Feminist conversations), with Cristina Tomás, Project Manager at Imbee and member of SheHub; Ariadna Masallera , Head of Talent Sopra Steria España, and Carla Antunez, Chief of People Officer at Between. Moderator, Eva Blanco, Senior advisor culture & employee experience. With the presence of Raquel Gil, Deputy Mayor at Barcelona City Council and president of Barcelona Activa.
• 12:30–1:30 pm – Digital Sector Series: Discover in-demand profiles and connect with companies, with SIRT, Propelling Tech and Jotavirtual.
• 3:30 pm – IT Academy University Microcredentials by Barcelona Activa, with Gerard Campanera (F UPC), Sara Díaz (SET), Humbert Ruiz and students from the programming and data analysis tracks. Moderated by Martí Rodríguez.

Wednesday, 4 March

• 12:30–1:30 pm – Talk. From Zero To Hero. Cybersecurity Certification with Cisco and Barcelona Activa.
• 4:00–4:15 pm – The Nest – Streaming Zone. Interview with Sara Díaz, Executive Director of Strategic Sectors and Digital Talent at Barcelona Activa.

Access to Talent Arena is free with prior registration via the website.

Barcelona Activa is launching an extensive program of sessions for International Women's Day (8M), aiming to highlight female talent and strengthen equal opportunities in the labor, technological, and entrepreneurial sectors. Throughout the month of March, with some activities extending into April, informational sessions, conferences, workshops, and networking spaces will be held to support women in their professional growth, labor integration, and the consolidation of their business projects.

The program includes proposals from Cibernàrium, the Employment area, and the LIDERA program, as well as activities within the framework of 4YFN and Talent Arena. The initiatives combine reflection and practical training, with a special focus on digital challenges, female leadership, and access to new labor opportunities.

Technology, Gender, and Digital security

• 03/03/2026 Feminism, Biases, and Generative AI

A session focused on exploring gender biases reproduced by AI.

• 17/03/2026 Digital Gender Violence: Identifying, Preventing, and Acting on Online Risks

Learn how to identify and combat digital gender violence with Selva Orejón.

Professional Guidance and Support

• 02/03/2026 Coaching for Women: Career Coaching for Women

A gender-focused support space for women seeking employment or looking to make a career change.

• 03/03/2026 Informational Session Mentoring Dones PRO

A program aimed at women who want to grow professionally with the support of expert mentors.

Growth and professional opportunitie

• 09/03/2026 Talent Digital Cycle: Women and Technology. The Digital Future is Also Female

In-person activity from 15:30 to 17:30 at Sala Món of Porta 22. A space to meet female role models in the tech sector and connect with new professional opportunities.

• 16/03/2026 Women Competence School – LIDERA

A short-duration activity itinerary to train key professional skills and expand networking contacts.

Entrepreneurship and Growing Your Projec

• 05/03/2026  Informational Session Inicia Program (virtual, 16:00 h)

INICIA is a training and support program for new projects led by female entrepreneurs.

• 17/03/2026 Talk About Finance: Boost Your Business by Controlling Your Finances
• 17/03/2026  LIDERA Conference

A conference to highlight female leadership and create spaces for connection among professionals, entrepreneurs, and companies, with content focused on growth and the consolidation of women-led projects.

• 07/04/2026, 16:00 h – Finance Workshop for Non-Financial People (4 sessions)

A practical workshop to understand and use finance as a decision-making tool for business.

Community, Network, and Role Model

• 17/03/2026  African Women’s Conference

A meeting space to highlight experiences from African women entrepreneurs.

• 02/03/2026, 11.30–12.30 h – Boosts DeepTech Talent: 3 Women TechEU winners at 4YFN

Session with Women TechEU program-winning startups to explore deeptech experiences and key ideas to boost female talent in advanced technology.

• 03/03/2026 11:30–12:30 h – Female Talent in the Tech Sector

Panel discussion on the presence of women in the tech sector, with testimonies and reflections on opportunities, challenges, and role models.

• 04/03/2026, 13.00–14.00 h – Pitch of EAE Top 10 Women Entrepreneurs Finalists

Presentation of projects led by women finalists of the EAE entrepreneurship program to the investor and business ecosystem.

• 04/03/2026, 16.00–17.00 h – Mentoring in the Era of AI

Session on the role of mentoring in an AI-driven context and the adaptation of professional support to new digital environments.

With this set of activities, Barcelona Activa reinforces its commitment to promoting female leadership, increasing women’s access to digital and technological sectors, and supporting female entrepreneurship, contributing to a more equitable and inclusive economy.

This morning, the city's Digital Talent Hub was inaugurated, in an event focused on three main axes: the presentation of this new economic activity hub; the launch of the XTalent Digital center in collaboration with Fundación ONCE, and the invitation from GSMA to students from the main municipal tech centers to attend the Talent Arena and MWC 2026.

The Digital Talent Hub is located at the Nou Barris Technology Park and consolidates as a key node for economic and educational activity, with the capacity to train over 3,000 people each year. This facility integrates reference centers such as 42Barcelona, Cibernàrium, Ateneu de Fabricació, and StartupLab Nord, and spans more than 11,000 m².

The Hub is structured around three main lines of activity:

• Training and talent, with practical programs oriented towards business needs
• Entrepreneurship and innovation, to promote new technological projects
• Ecosystem and community, with activities to connect professionals, businesses, and emerging talent

In this context, the XTalent Digital center was inaugurated, an initiative driven by Fundación ONCE and the City of Barcelona that reinforces the inclusive dimension of the Hub. The center will offer free technological training for people with disabilities, aiming to improve their employability. Over the next four years, it is expected to train 1,000 people, with a curriculum of 25 courses in 2026 in areas such as cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and data analysis.

The Digital Talent Hub is part of the economic activity hub strategy promoted by Barcelona Activa, within the Barcelona Impulsa plan, the roadmap to promote quality employment, entrepreneurship, and investment in the city until 2035.

For more information, you can visit the XTalent Digital and 42 Barcelona websites.

Barcelona Activa strengthens the IT Academy’s training offer with official certifications from Cisco and the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC), with the aim of facilitating job placement and professional recognition for students in the ICT sector.

This enhancement is structured around three specialized pathways —web development, data analysis, and cybersecurity— which combine a practical and intensive learning model with support in the job search process. Operating since 2017, the center has established itself as a municipal benchmark in digital talent training, with more than 3,200 people trained. The collaboration with the UPC provides added academic and institutional value, reinforcing the quality and prestige of the program.

In the field of cybersecurity, the program incorporates preparation for official Cisco certifications such as CCST in Networking, Cybersecurity, and IT Support, as well as CCNA Cybersecurity. These internationally recognized certifications validate specific technical competencies, provide global professional recognition, and improve candidates’ positioning in recruitment processes. In addition, they strengthen employability by certifying practical and up-to-date knowledge, support curriculum differentiation for junior profiles or career transition processes, and ensure a clear alignment with the real needs of technology companies.

Find out more about the IT Academy pathways to boost your career in the ICT sector and enroll to start becoming part of the digital talent demanded by the job market.
 

The Mentoring Dones PRO program kicks off next May with the goal of facilitating women's access to professional opportunities, with a special emphasis on those working in male-dominated sectors who want to overcome visibility challenges. This initiative seeks to contribute to reducing gender inequalities in the workplace by improving the leadership skills and self-confidence of participants. 

This proposal is aimed at women who are in a career transition or who want to re-enter the workforce and wish to grow their professional path. It is also open to those looking to switch sectors or who want to reconsider their career. 

The program offers one-on-one mentorships, with experts who will guide each participant through their growth process. In addition, group actions such as training, networking, and inspiring talks with role models are included. These actions allow participants to network with other women in similar situations and create a collaborative space for learning and mutual support. 

Registrations are now open, and interested individuals can attend the in-person information session taking place on March 3rd from 11am to 12pm at LIDERA. The program will run from May to December 2026. 

Barcelona Activa is launching a special Christmas program to bring science, technology, and creativity to children during the school holidays. The initiative, developed in collaboration with the Consorci de Biblioteques de Barcelona, includes workshops from the EstàsON program and offers hands-on activities designed for learning through experimentation and play.

The program is aimed at two age groups, 6 to 8 years old and 9 to 12 years old, and will take place in 11 libraries across different neighborhoods of the city. A total of 20 sessions are scheduled between December 22 and 31, with workshops combining crafts, ingenuity, robotics, and an introduction to programming.

For ages 6 to 8

Challenge force and create a hovercraft (3 sessions)

• 12/22, 10:00 AM – Sant Gervasi–Joan Maragall Library

• 12/23, 11:00 AM – Camp de l’Arpa Library (outside Punt Xarxa)

• 12/24, 11:00 AM – Gabriel García Márquez Library

Paint with the colors nature gives us (5 sessions)

• 12/23, 11:00 AM – Can Fabra Library

• 12/23, 5:30 PM – Trinitat Vella Library

• 12/24, 10:00 AM – Guinardó–Mercè Rodoreda Library

• 12/24, 11:00 AM – Nou Barris Library

• 12/30, 11:00 AM – Vila de Gràcia Library

Robots as protagonists of a fantastic story (2 sessions)

• 12/22, 5:30 PM – Vila de Gràcia Library

• 12/30, 5:30 PM – Guinardó–Mercè Rodoreda Library

The hidden secrets of science (1 session)

• 12/23, 5:30 PM – Zona Nord Library

For ages 9 to 12

Electric paper animals (4 sessions)ç

• 12/24, 11:00 AM – Can Fabra Library

• 12/29, 11:00 AM – Guinardó–Mercè Rodoreda Library

• 12/29, 5:30 PM – Bonnemaison Library

• 12/30, 10:00 AM – Trinitat Vella Library

Create a hologram projector (3 sessions)

• 12/22, 11:00 AM – Jaume Fuster Library

• 12/22, 5:30 PM – Bonnemaison Library

• 12/31, 11:00 AM – Nou Barris Library

The basics of programming (2 sessions)

• 12/23, 10:00 AM – Sant Gervasi–Joan Maragall Library

• 12/29, 5:30 PM – Jaume Fuster Library

Through these workshops, Barcelona Activa reinforces its commitment to scientific and technological outreach for children, promoting vocations and bringing knowledge closer through hands-on experiences. During the school holidays, the EstàsON workshops become creative and accessible learning spaces where children can experiment, build, and discover in local environments such as the city's libraries.

Check the full program and all the details of the activities on the Consorci de Biblioteques de Barcelona website.

A new edition of Barcelona Fashion Forward (BFF) begins, an initiative led by the Barcelona Institute of Culture, through the Disseny Hub Barcelona (DHub). The program supports emerging fashion designers and brands to improve key processes of marketing, communication, and digitalization through informational sessions, specialized guidance, and professional services tailored to the sector's needs. 

BFF is aimed at freelancers and companies in Barcelona or the metropolitan area specializing in the design, manufacture, and sale of finished textile products for women, men, children, footwear, or accessories. The program consists of two phases: the first, with 15 selected projects that receive training and mentoring for five months, and the second, for the top 4, with six months of a tailored service plan that includes resources such as showrooms, digital marketing support, and actions aimed at selling directly to the end customer. 

The registration period is open until March 1, 2026. To participate, applicants must have at least one person working full-time on the project, have their fiscal residence preferably in Barcelona or the metropolitan area, include creativity and sustainability criteria, and have between one and five years of experience in commercialization. 

To submit an application, applicants must complete the registration form and send the required documentation (portfolio or product catalog and CVs of the most involved individuals) to moda@bcn.cat. Once the registration period closes, the selection process for the 15 participants will take place. 

Interested individuals can consult the program's guidelines or the informational brochure. 

Barcelona Activa, through Cibernàrium and in collaboration with Barcelona Libraries, is launching a new edition of in-person preparation courses for the ACTIC Level 1 (basic), aimed at strengthening the digital skills of citizens and facilitating access to an official accreditation recognized by the Generalitat de Catalunya. 

The ACTIC is an official certificate issued by the Generalitat de Catalunya that validates your level of knowledge and use of digital tools before companies and public administrations. To obtain it, you must pass an online test with automatic evaluation. The preparation courses are designed to provide practical and accessible training to successfully take the official exam. The training is free and is aimed at individuals with basic digital knowledge who want to consolidate their skills and improve their employability. 

For the basic level, the certification includes six fundamental competencies related to the safe, efficient, and responsible use of technology. Each competency is worked on in in-person sessions, and the program runs from January to March.

Sessions will be held at different libraries across the city:

• Biblioteca Esquerra de l'Eixample - Agustí Centelles
• Biblioteca Camp de l'Arpa - Caterina Albert
• Biblioteca Gabriel García Márquez
• Biblioteca Horta - Can Mariner
• Biblioteca Jaume Fuster 

This training programme helps participants approach the examination with confidence; however, it is important to note that the official accreditation is only granted upon passing the test. Attendance at the courses does not, under any circumstances, replace the examination, which must be completed exclusively through the ACTIC portal.

With this call, Barcelona Activa reinforces its commitment to bringing digital training closer and providing more opportunities for access to the job market. 

Microcredentials are short, specialized training programs that allow you to quickly and flexibly acquire specific skills. Offered by Barcelona Activa in collaboration with Catalan universities, these programs provide a recognized European accreditation, registered in Europass, and are aligned with current challenges such as digital transition, sustainability, and social inclusion. Moreover, they focus on high-demand professional areas and cater to individual needs through different formats: in-person, virtual, or hybrid. 

These programs are organized into two key areas: Blue Economy, which includes programs related to the sustainable management of water resources and marine conservation, and Care Economy, covering fields like caregiving and healthcare. These courses provide hands-on training that enables participants to enhance their skills and tackle work challenges with up-to-date knowledge. 

The program is open to individuals seeking to redirect their professional path or improve their career prospects in emerging sectors. To apply for the selection process, interested candidates must complete the registration through the Barcelona Activa website. Participants will be invited to an informational session, where they will undergo an interview to validate the specific requirements for each microcredential. 

The program offers focused and effective training, ideal for those looking to update their skills in a short amount of time. Additionally, the certifications earned open up new job opportunities in growing sectors and improve participants’ working conditions. For more information on the registration process and session schedule, visit the Barcelona Activa website. 

Barcelona Activa presenta (Re)activa’t, un programa gratuït d’orientació i formació destinat a joves de 16 a 29 anys inscrits al Servei d’Ocupació de Catalunya, especialment pensat per a persones amb menys experiència laboral o que volen canviar d’ofici. Aquest projecte busca impulsar el desenvolupament professional del talent jove mitjançant formació acreditada en especialitats amb alta demanda, com activitats auxiliars de magatzem, operacions bàsiques de restaurant i bar, auxiliar de comerç i serveis administratius. 

El programa ofereix l'oportunitat de descobrir noves professions i adquirir habilitats concretes per al mercat laboral. Durant els 12 mesos d'itinerari, els i les joves tindran accés a formació teòrica i pràctica, així com l’acompanyament d’una persona mentora que els ajudarà a conèixer el dia a dia laboral de les diferents ocupacions i a resoldre dubtes sobre la seva futura carrera. 

(Re)activa’t t’acompanya per identificar els interessos laborals i a millorar les competències mitjançant formació pràctica i orientació individualitzada. Els i les participants tindran l'oportunitat d'incorporar-se a empreses professionals del sector amb pràctiques laborals i, al finalitzar el programa, obtindran un Certificat de Professionalitat de Nivell 1 que acredita la seva formació i experiència. 

Aquest programa neix per ajudar als i les joves de Barcelona a superar dificultats per trobar feina o definir el seu camí professional, oferint orientació, formació i acompanyament personalitzat per facilitar l’entrada al mercat laboral. 

Les inscripcions al programa (Re)activa’t ja estan obertes. Els i les interessades poden inscriure’s al programa a través de l’enllaç d’inscripció o contactar per a més informació a ocupaciojoves@barcelonactiva.cat o al 603805131. 

Barcelona Activa presents (Re)activa’t, a free orientation and training program aimed at young people aged 16 to 29 registered with the Servei Públic d’Ocupació de Catalunya, specifically designed for those with little work experience or those looking to change careers. This project aims to foster the professional development of young talent through accredited training in high-demand fields, such as warehouse auxiliary activities, basic restaurant and bar operations, retail assistant, and administrative services. 

The program offers the opportunity to explore new professions and acquire specific skills for the job market. Over the 12-month program, participants will have access to both theoretical and practical training, as well as the guidance of a mentor who will help them understand the day-to-day tasks of different jobs and address any questions about their future career. 

(Re)activa’t supports you in identifying your work interests and improving your skills through practical training and personalized guidance. Participants will have the chance to join professional companies in the sector through internships, and upon completing the program, they will receive a Level 1 Professional Certificate that recognizes their training and experience. 

This program was created to help young people in Barcelona overcome difficulties in finding a job or defining their professional path, offering guidance, training, and personalized support to ease their entry into the job market. 

Applications for the (Re)activa’t program are now open. Those interested can register via the registration link or contact for more information at ocupaciojoves@barcelonactiva.cat or call 603805131.

Barcelona Activa launches a new edition of Idees Madures, an initiative aimed at people over 40 who want to start a business and need support to develop their business ideas. 

This program is designed for entrepreneurs who want to validate their business ideas, regardless of the sector. The goal is to help them analyze the viability of their projects and equip them with the necessary skills and tools to build a solid company. It combines training in areas such as organization, marketing, finance, and taxation, as well as personalized guidance to develop a business plan. 

The program consists of 23 sessions, held three days a week in the morning from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., in a hybrid format. The places are limited to 20 participants, with the aim of ensuring close attention and adapting to the needs of each project. With this support initiative, Barcelona Activa reinforces its commitment to entrepreneurship at all stages of professional life, offering support for people over 40 to develop viable and sustainable projects. 

To participate in the first phase of the process, you must register for the informational session on February 16th through the Barcelona Activa activities website and attach the necessary application form to validate participation. The program registration phase will open later, once this informational phase is completed. 

Check all the information and participation requirements on the official Idees Madures page. 

Barcelona has once again positioned itself at the centre of the international audiovisual sector with a new edition of Integrated Systems Europe (ISE) 2026. The trade fair, held at Fira de Barcelona from 3 to 6 February, brought together 92.170 attendees, reaffirming its role as the world’s leading event in the sector. 

Edition after edition, ISE has established itself as a key driving force for the city’s and the country’s audiovisual and technological ecosystem. This year it has featured more than 1,700 exhibitors and more than 340 speakers. It is a strategic sector that continues to generate economic activity, highly skilled employment and talent attraction, while helping to position Barcelona on the global map of creative and digital innovation. 

Barcelona Activa once again had a prominent presence at the fair with a stand shared with Barcelona City Council and the Catalan Audiovisual Cluster, a space designed to showcase the territory’s creative, business and technological potential. The stand offered an immersive experience for attendees, who were able to discover first-hand the solutions and projects of various companies from the audiovisual sector and emerging technologies. 

During this edition, the Barcelona Activa space once again became a meeting point for professionals, companies and agents from the creative ecosystem, facilitating networking spaces, professional meetings, project presentations and activities connecting with audiovisual entrepreneurship. The municipal programmes and services aimed at fostering talent, innovation and business growth within the creative and digital industries were also presented. 

As in previous editions, ISE 2026 helped to strengthen collaboration between institutions, established companies and startups, while also giving visibility to new initiatives linked to extended reality (XR), audiovisual production, immersive environments and technological solutions applied to culture, communication and events. 

With the closing of this edition, Barcelona reaffirms its position as a host city for major international events and as a leading hub in the audiovisual and creative fields, thanks to a diverse and innovative ecosystem with the capacity to generate quality employment. 

Barcelona Activa will continue working to promote the development of the audiovisual sector, supporting companies and professionals, fostering entrepreneurship and promoting innovation as key drivers of economic growth and urban transformation. 

Relive the highlights of the fair with the video recap and take note of the dates of the next ISE edition, which will take place from 2 to 5 February 2027. 

During the Christmas period, Barcelona Activa will keep the main services for citizens, businesses, and entities in the city active, adapting schedules and formats. During this period, some services will adjust their hours or concentrate activities on specific days, while facilities will close temporarily on official holidays. 

Regarding the Convent de Barcelona Activa, a reference facility for youth services, it will open on December 22, 23, 24, 29, 30, and 31 from 8 am to 3 pm. Starting January 7, 2026, the facility will return to its regular morning and afternoon hours. 

The Porta22 work and career guidance service will open as usual from 8 am to 8 pm, with service available until 3 pm on December 24 and 31, as well as January 2 and 5. 

The LIDERA facility, located at MediaTIC, will offer reduced hours from 9 am to 3 pm on December 24 and 31 and January 5. On the other days, it will maintain its regular schedule. 

In the field of technological training, the Cibernàrium reception will remain open in the morning but will not offer activities on December 22, 23, and 24. On December 29, 30, 31, and January 2, the facility will be closed. On January 5, activities will be scheduled only in the morning, with reception open until 3 pm. 

The entrepreneurship incubators in Glòries will open on working days from December 24 to January 7, both included, from 9 am to 3 pm. On December 22 and 23, they will maintain the usual hours, from 9 am to 6 pm. 

In the field of business support, the Office for Business Attention (OAE) and the Technology Park will maintain their regular hours, from Monday to Thursday, from 8:30 am to 6 pm, and on Fridays, from 8:30 am to 2:30 pm. On December 24, 31, and January 5, the service will be from 8:30 am to 2:30 pm. 

Regarding the social economy, Ca n'Andalet will remain closed from December 24 to January 6, both included, and will resume normal activity on the other days. 

Check the schedules and locations of different facilities in the city during the Christmas holidays. 

Barcelona Activa, the economic promotion agency of the Barcelona City Council, has launched “Literal”, a new campaign aimed at bringing youth the services and programs that support professional training, job search, and entrepreneurship. Under the slogan “Everything possible. Everything real. Literal.”, the initiative aims to connect with the current needs of youth and offer them support in defining their professional path.

The campaign focuses on raising awareness of the Barcelona Activa Youth services, specifically targeted at people aged 16 to 29 who are seeking guidance, training, or new job opportunities. Among the offerings are orientation and reskilling programs, professional certificates, Trade Workshops, Dual Vocational Training (FPO), as well as technological training and the IT Academy. The service also includes personalized advice, job search support, and specific programs for entrepreneurs.

The service is available at the Barcelona Activa Convent (Plaça de Pons i Clerch, 2), Monday to Friday, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and combines training, guidance, and community building to promote quality employment.

Each year, the Youth service assists thousands of young people who are looking to redefine their professional future and access training or career paths tailored to their needs.

Interested individuals can visit the official Barcelona Activa Youth website and follow campaign updates through Instagram and TikTok social media.

Barcelona is preparing to host the fourth edition of the City and Science Biennial, an event that, between 18th and 23rd November, 2025, will connect science with the citizenship through talks, activities, and interactive workshops.

The Biennial will focus on current issues such as the quantum revolution, artificial intelligence, and the role of women in science. The aim is to bring scientific and technological advances closer to the general public and encourage reflection on how these changes are transforming our society

One of the new features of this edition is the collaboration of entities, specifically the Barcelona Activa Convent for Young People, which will participate with activities aimed at training and professional development, focused on preparing for new job challenges in the scientific and technological sectors.

Among the proposals promoted by the Convent, the following are worth highlighting:

• Coding the future: exploring artificial intelligence (18/11): An activity that will allow attendees to learn how artificial intelligence is already transforming various aspects of our daily lives.

• Curious minds: Careers in the scientific and technological fields (19/11): A session that focuses on job opportunities within the expanding science and technology sectors.

• The (in)visible ingenuity: a journey through the history of women pioneers in science and technology (20/11): A reminder of the female figures who have been essential in science and technology.

• Sharing experiences in the ICT field: Insights from a young professional (21/11): An activity that will connect young people interested in the technological world with professionals in the sector, offering an overview of career possibilities and paths in this field.

• The collapse of the qubit: audiovisual show – mapping (21/11): An audiovisual mapping show created by students of the Barcelona Activa Performing Arts Workshop, which explores quantum physics through light, image and sound.

This event presents a unique opportunity for the public to discover how science, technology, and scientific research are shaping our future. With a diverse programme that includes talks, interactive workshops, exhibitions, and fun activities, the public can explore the latest developments in science and technology in an accessible and enriching way.

You can consult the complete programme of the City and Science Biennial 2025 on the official web of the event.

Barcelona Activa has opened the application period for a new edition of the B-STEP programme, an initiative aimed at startups in the sports and physical activity sector looking to validate and consolidate their projects. Applications will be open until 20 February, and the programme is scheduled to start on 25 March.

B-STEP is a free support programme promoted by Barcelona Activa within the framework of the Barcelona Sports Hub, in collaboration with AticcoLab and INDESCAT. Its goal is to support emerging projects in the sports sector through specialised mentoring, training, workspace and connections with the professional ecosystem.

The programme targets startups operating in the field of sport or physical activity, especially those in the prototyping phase or in the process of validating their business model. The company does not need to be formally established. Projects related to areas such as wearables, e-sports, sports apps and software, or fantasy sports are eligible to apply.

B-STEP is structured in two phases. In the first phase, up to 20 startups will be selected from all applications to take part in an intensive five-day bootcamp, from 9 to 13 March 2026. During this stage, participants will work on defining their business model and project pitch, and a specialised jury will select the 12 startups that will advance to the second phase of the programme.

The selected startups will take part in a four-month incubation programme and will have access to a workspace at the Coworking Space of the Glòries Incubator. Throughout the programme, they will receive personalised mentoring, specialised training and take part in networking activities aimed at generating synergies and collaboration opportunities within the sports ecosystem. The programme will conclude with a closing event, during which the winning project will be announced and awarded a €5,000 prize.

Since its launch, B-STEP has held five editions, involved 85 startups and contributed to the creation of 50 companies, consolidating its position as a benchmark programme for sports entrepreneurship in the city.

Interested startups can find full information about the B-STEP programme and submit their application through the registration form before 20 February here.