More resources for economic development plans
The third edition of the economic development plans 2024-2027 comes with an 18% budget increase, rising to 130 million euros. The plans are a key element in helping diversify economic activity and attracting companies that add talent and create jobs for the city as a whole.
Family photo during the presentation of the PDE for Sants-Montjuïc, with the Councillor for Economic Promotion and Work and the chair of Barcelona Activa, Raquel Gil, accompanied by Lorenzo di Pietro, director general of Barcelona Activa, and M.Àngels González, executive director of Employment and Proximity with Barcelona Activa.
The plans shape the municipal strategy to be followed over a four-year period to drive economic development in the six city districts being given priority, which are those with economic indicators below the city average and with specific needs relating to the promotion of their social and economic make-up. They are: Sant Andreu, Sant Martí, Horta-Guinardó, Nou Barris, Ciutat Vella and Sants-Montjuïc.
Barcelona Activa, in collaboration with each district, is launching plans with the visions and input of the Directorate for Commerce and Restaurants, the Directorate for Tourism, the Barcelona Institute of Municipal Markets (IMMB) and the Directorate for Social and Solidarity Economy and City Development.
Besides the three common strategic lines in all the plans (promotion of quality jobs and the labour market; promotion of commerce, services, local restaurants and municipal markets, and support for the economic activation of the area), each district sets its own priorities and approaches to follow. Both Ciutat Vella and Sants-Montjuïc are seeking the social return of tourism; Sant Martí is centring on the development of the neighbourhoods along the Besòs; Sant Andreu on boosting sectors such as textiles and the circular economy; Nou Barris is to develop a special plan to reference its assets in the tech sector and the cultural events in the district. Horta-Guinardó stands out for the detection of ways of collaborating with the sectors of health, sports and culture.
Successful management model
The plans consolidate a successful economic development model based on proximity and which has benefitted thousands of people and companies since it was implemented. Notable projects include Hotels with Social Return, which backs employment and procurement with a local perspective (Ciuta Vella); the consolidation of La Clota, a municipal space for entrepreneurial projects with a social return in Horta-Guinardó, and the creation of the Nau Vila Besòs, a green and circular economy project for associations in the district of Sant Andreu.
Barcelona Activa has also set up various local facilities, the most recent in Sants-Montjuïc, offering citizens employment services, entrepreneurial and business support and digital skills acquisition.
The new roadmap for the district of Sants-Montjuïc was presented in December’s full council meeting. The rest of the economic development plans will be presented this month.
