Barcelona Innova carries forward the work of BIT Habitat while extending its reach. This new phase will operate on a larger scale, deliver greater impact and ensure tighter integration with municipal policies.

One of its aims is to strengthen collaboration across the local innovation ecosystem, which hosts outstanding scientific, entrepreneurial, technological and creative talent, top-class universities and research centres, and a vibrant network of committed associations. As part of this strategy, the Network of Municipal Fab Labs will join the foundation, reinforcing its pledge to democratise access to technology through digital fabrication.

The new strategy places its focus on urban innovation. A key milestone is the approval earlier this year of the Experimental Spaces By-law, which allows the city to serve as a laboratory for testing innovative, high-impact solutions.

The new identity was unveiled at an event held at the Miró Foundation, attended by 200 representatives from the city’s innovation ecosystem and the Urban Innovation Platform. Alongside the approval of the foundation’s new statutes, the programme included a keynote address by Mariana Mazzucato, economist and international authority on innovation and the public sector.

Building on the work of the BIT Habitat Foundation

The new Barcelona Innova strategy builds on nearly a decade of work, during which the BIT Habitat Foundation was instrumental in building a model of urban innovation driven by knowledge, project development and strategic partnerships.

Programmes such as Reptes urbans (Urban Challenges) and La ciutat proactiva (The Proactive City) have spawned over 70 initiatives involving more than 160 organisations, backed by a budget of €5.2 million. This work has already resulted in practical solutions, including the 21st-century paving slab and the Wikihousing building.

In the field of climate action, the foundation has undertaken adaptation and mitigation projects combining practical solutions for public spaces with simulation tools to stay ahead of future scenarios. These include challenges focused on increasing urban shade and the Barcelona a 50 ºC (Barcelona at 50°C) simulation planned for 2027.

In the area of housing, Barcelona Innova is advancing initiatives to carry out building renovations and ensure people’s right to the city, including “Renovation as a Service” projects. It is also working to make public services more efficient and accessible through the use of digital technologies, data and user-centred methodologies.