Catalonia has an active and innovative business community and a strong research and innovation system, including internationally recognised universities, research and technology centres. Catalonia is one of the main poles of attraction for foreign direct investment in Europe - it concentrates more than 25% of Spanish exports and 1% of the world’s total scientific production per inhabitant. Barcelona, the capital of Catalonia, is the world’s mobile capital and iCapital of Europe. Catalonia has adopted the Catalonia 2020 Strategy, which is the Catalan Government’s roadmap for relaunching the economy and consolidating Catalonia as an industrially-based country, with an open, competitive and sustainable economy combining talent, creativity, a diversified business ecosystem and its own research system of excellence - all within a dynamic, entrepreneurial and inclusive society.
ACCIÓ is the Agency for Business Competitiveness. ACCIÓ’s different programmes promote internationalization and innovation. We provide service to 24,000 companies a year. We connect businesses to the key strategic sectors. We promote internationalization and innovation. We help Catalan businesses and startups boost their competitiveness. We help international companies connect and tap into the competitive advantages Catalonia and Barcelona provide.
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Rue de la Loi, 227
1040 Brussels
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S3 Strategy
The Strategy for the Smart Specialisation of Catalonia (RIS3CAT) defines the framework within which the Catalan Government establishes research and innovation (R&I) actions and programmes and provides support for the generation and development of innovative projects. RIS3CAT establishes four strategic objectives:
- To modernise the business fabric by improving the efficiency of production processes, internationalisation and the reorientation of consolidated sectors towards activities with greater added value;
- To promote new emerging economic activities through research and innovation to create and develop new market niches;
- To consolidate Catalonia as a European knowledge hub and link technological and creative capacities to existing and emerging sectors in the territory;
- To improve the overall Catalan innovation system, increasing the competitiveness of companies and steering public policies towards promotion of innovation, internationalisation and entrepreneurship.
The four pillars of action are:
- Leading sectors;
- Emerging activities;
- Cross-cutting enabling technologies;
- Innovation environment.
Strategic R&I Projects
AI REGIO
The AI REGIO innovation action aims to consolidate the collaboration in the pan-European network of Digital Innovation Hubs (DIHs) by enhancing the offering of regional DIHs to manufacturing SMEs on policy impact, technological impact and business impact.
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CATCIM
CATCIM stands for Catalan services for more Competitiveness and Innovation in the global Market and is focused on offering assessment, mentoring and coaching services to SMEs with the objective of increasing and accelerating the economic returns from innovation.
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RESET
RESET (Redesigning Equality and Scientific Excellence Together) envisions a human-centric, inclusive and diversity respectful approach for an intersectional approach to gender equality.
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Tecniospring INDUSTRY
Tecniospring INDUSTRY, ACCIÓ's international talent programme, boosts technology transfer processes by offering R&D companies and centres 2-year employment contracts to host a researcher.
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Working Group Leaders
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- By Martina Campajola
Strong regions, strong Europe: ERRIN at the European Week of Regions and Cities 2026
ERRIN spent the European Week of Regions and Cities moderating sessions, following debates and meeting more than a dozen member delegations. Here is a selection of the moments closest to our priorities, from the EU Missions and the next MFF to talent, culture and competitiveness.
- By Zoé Thomazeau
ERRIN members selected as NEB Prizes finalists
The New European Bauhaus (NEB) Prizes celebrate innovative projects and ideas that embody NEB values: sustainability, inclusivity and beauty. The NEB Prizes 2026 finalists have been announced and ERRIN is pleased to see so many of them coming from its member regions.
- By Zoé Thomazeau
ERRIN members to host events at the European Week of Regions and Cities 2026
The European Week of Regions and Cities, taking place in Brussels from 12–14 October 2026, will once again serve as a leading platform for dialogue on regional and urban policy in Europe. This year the motto is 'Strong regions, strong Europe'. ERRIN is pleased to announce that its members will be strongly represented in this year’s programme, with sessions addressing a wide range of topics relevant to Europe’s regions and cities.
- By Ewa Chomicz
A sneak peek into transformative innovation
Berlaymont Piazza was buzzing in the afternoon of 2 June as we heard about the first results and future plans of the EU Preparatory Action (PA) "Innovation for place-based transformation". Around 200 territories have been participating and working side-by-side with the Joint Research Centre of the European Commission in this initiative supported by the European Parliament to increase the capacities of the territories, mobilise resources and experiment to face pressing challenges, ranging from decarbonisation to digitalisation.
- By Gaia Ialisa Marotta
Turning climate risk into action: the importance of Early Warning Systems
Extreme weather events such as floods, heatwaves and wildfires are becoming increasingly frequent across Europe, highlighting the need for tools that help regions anticipate and respond to climate risks. Within the Horizon Europe RESIST project, several partner regions are developing and implementing Early Warning Systems (EWS) to strengthen preparedness and support timely decision-making.
- By Karim Hassan Hosny
Partner search: expertise on Managed Aquifer Recharge
Acció - Government of Catalonia, is looking for partners with expertise in hydrogeology in a rural context for the implementation of Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR).