To meet these goals, the strategy is built around three broad priority areas:

• Incorporating freshwater management: this responds to the need to improve water resource management in the face of drought and flooding, moving towards a more efficient and sustainable model. It includes initiatives such as the roll-out of sustainable urban drainage systems and Barcelona Activa’s B-Blue entrepreneurship programme, which is adding freshwater management as a new line of innovation and enterprise.
• Expanding long-term, internationally-focused projects: the aim here is to attract talent, investment and economic activity. Strategic infrastructure is being reinforced, including the Barcelona Maritime Technology Park (PTMB) and BlueTechPort, led by the Port of Barcelona and Barcelona Mar de Ciència. This drive is complemented by measures to strengthen business competitiveness, innovation and sector-wide sustainability, alongside projects that position the city on the global blue economy stage, such as the Ocean Decade Collaborative Centre (DCC).
• Broadening the involvement of other administrations, businesses, research centres and citizens: shared responsibility throughout the ecosystem is underpinned by public-private governance and the active participation of all stakeholders involved, with the consolidation of the Public-Private Blue Economy Board. At the same time, collaboration is being fostered among key players such as the Port of Barcelona, universities and research centres, as well as businesses and sector-specific initiatives.

Of the total planned investment, €146 million will go towards strategic infrastructure. The remaining €4 million or so will fund programmes to drive economic activity, including entrepreneurship, talent development and flagship events to raise the city’s international profile.

The budget allocated to boosting the blue economy could be complemented by up to €75 million in additional multi-sector funding from other financing mechanisms, on top of the €150 million earmarked for the strategy.