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cob Promoting_OK:coberta Barcelona Activa 23/2/09 11:11 Página 1 Promoting entrepreneurship, employment employment and business competitiveness entrepreneurship, Promoting and business competitiveness THE EXPERIENCE OF BARCELONA Promoting entrepreneurship, For over twenty years the OECD LEED Programme has drawn on the experience of employment and business Barcelona as an exceptional example of innovative economic development. Entrepreneurship, employment creation, social inclusion and international development competitiveness support are particular strengths which have importantly contributed to the socioeconomic development model developed by Barcelona, and have influenced policy analysis and development carried out by the LEED Directing Committee. THE EXPERIENCE OF BARCELONA Since its creation in 1986 Barcelona Activa has been at the cutting edge of economic development delivery. Founded on an ethos of innovation and implementation the Agency exemplifies a sense of what is possible under challenging circumstances. For over two decades it has responded to economic cycles of recession, growth and now again recession. Its experience and achievements during this time will help Barcelona and Catalonia hold its nerve during testing times. This study explores in detail how an Agency can stimulate a substantive policy shift which led to the restructuring of the economy of Barcelona. THE EXPERIENCE OF BARCELONA The full text of this book is available on line via these links: www.oecd.org/cfe/leed www.barcelonactiva.cat Promoting:Estudi OECD 23/2/09 11:01 Página 1 OECD Leed Programme Local development agency review series Promoting entrepreneurship, employment and business competitiveness THE EXPERIENCE OF BARCELONA Promoting:Estudi OECD 23/2/09 11:01 Página 2 ORGANISATION FOR ECONOMIC CO-OPERATION AND DEVELOPMENT The OECD is a unique forum where the governments of 30 democracies work together to address the economic, social and environmental challenges of globalisation. The OECD is also at the forefront of efforts to understand and to help governments respond to new developments and concerns, such as corporate governance, the information economy and the challenges of an ageing population. The Organisation provides a setting where governments can compare policy experiences, seek answers to common problems, identify good practice and work to co-ordinate domestic and international policies. The OECD member countries are: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Korea, Luxembourg, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, the Slovak Republic, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, the United Kingdom and the United States. The Commission of the European Communities takes part in the work of the OECD. OECD Publishing disseminates widely the results of the Organisation’s statistics gathering and research on economic, social and environmental issues, as well as the conventions, guidelines and standards agreed by its members. The opinions expressed and arguments employed herein do not necessarily reflect the official views of the Organisation or of the governments of its member countries. Photo Credit: Barcelona Activa © OECD 2009 Legal deposit: B.10.826-2009 Printing: Addenda OECD freely authorises the use, including the photocopy, of this material for private, non-commercial purposes. Permission to photocopy portions of this material for any public use or commercial purpose may be obtained from the Copyright Clearance Center (CCC) at [email protected] or the Centre français d’exploitation du droit de copie (CFC) [email protected]. All copies must retain the copyright and other proprietary notices in their original forms. All requests for ather public or commercial uses of this material or far translation rights should be submitted to [email protected] Promoting:Estudi OECD 23/2/09 11:01 Página 3 FOREWORD – 3 Foreword Barcelona has been and still is a leading city in terms of the strategic design of its socio-economic model. It has been capable of transforming itself into a socially cohesive and economically competitive city. And by means of this process it has become a reference throughout the world. This study provides us with a thorough and professional look at the recent evolution of the model of growth of our city and the contribution of our sys- tem of economic promotion. But, above all, it highlights the role played by Barcelona Activa, the Local Development Agency of the City. After more than 20 years working side by side with the citizenship and companies of Barcelona promoting entrepreneurship, business growth, the development of human capital and quality employment, this analysis helps us to know where we are and where we are heading. It is a great pleasure for us to discover that the way we do things and how we manage the economic development of the city through Barcelona Activa is recognised by the OECD as a key part of the success of the economic promo- tion of the city. It is very important backing for all those of us who believe that, by means of the support for entrepreneurs, the network of innovative small and medium-sized enterprises and the improvement of our profession- als, we can construct a better city to live in, to become entrepreneurs and to work. The commitment achieved through the agreements with the institutions in defining and working together towards a more solid and robust economic model, based on innovation, entrepreneurial capacity and social cohesion, with a strong municipal leadership, it is also a premise for work that has char- acterised the municipal action and one that has been a key factor in situating Barcelona in a strong starting position faced with the economic crisis which has hit the global economy. Furthermore, we share the points of improvement proposed in the study and we are committed to continuing the work on improving the weaknesses detect- ed, and to turning the threats into development opportunities for the citizens and companies of the city. PROMOTING ENTREPRENEURSHIP, EMPLOYMENT AND BUSINESS COMPETITIVENESS – © OECD 2009 Promoting:Estudi OECD 23/2/09 11:01 Página 4 4 – FOREWORD This document is, without doubt, very valuable for anyone wishing to approach local development policies and the model of growth of Barcelona, as well as those of us who are working on making possible a city in which per- sonal, professional and business projects shape and strengthen the Barcelona we want. I would like to give thanks to the LEED programme of the OECD and its team for the way they have produced this very thorough report, because I am sure that it will help us to reflect and guide us in the future. However, I would not like to end without also thanking the team of Barcelona Activa for the excel- lent work they have done over the past 22 years, which has helped to make Barcelona a better city. Jordi Hereu Mayor of Barcelona PROMOTING ENTREPRENEURSHIP, EMPLOYMENT AND BUSINESS COMPETITIVENESS – © OECD 2009 Promoting:Estudi OECD 23/2/09 11:01 Página 5 FOREWORD – 5 Barcelona Activa has been an important Partner to the OECD LEED Pro- gramme since its creation in 1986. The Review of the Agency came at an important juncture in the world economy. An Agency, like many of its kind, created to respond to an earlier economic and social crisis has much to teach us in these challenging times. The innovative and highly effective approach to economic development has been a constant source of learning and inspiration for cities and regions throughout the LEED Programme. Our common histories – being created to respond to the economic downturn of the 1980s, the massive economic restricting that was taking place throughout the developed world and resulting rise in unemployment demanded new approaches and new interventions at all levels. The LEED Programme, with its emphasis on local development has played a unique role within the OECD, serving as an interface between cities, regions and national governments. Our knowledge and learning are founded on clear principles of co-operative action. Analysing and working with Development Agencies has been a longstanding aspect of our work. This study has enabled us to explore in detail how an Agency can stimulate a substantive policy shift which led to the restructuring of the economy of Barcelona. The Agency has benefitted from strong and decisive political and professional leadership since its creation in 1986. These factors have ensured that Barcelona Activa is a ‘fit for purpose’ economic development agency and leader amongst its international peers. The Agency’s ability to react to and anticipate change has placed it well to contribute to the economic transformation of Barcelona. Its skills will be tested to the limit in the period ahead but as an Agency that has risen to immense challenges in the past Barcelona is now better placed to respond to the current economic crisis. Our thanks go to Maravillas Rojo for supporting our work so enthusiastically since the 1980s; to Mateu Hernandez for being a dedicated expert and advisor to our Programme and to Deputy Mayor Jordi William Carnes for his ongoing support throughout this Review. This project was led by Debra Mountford, Senior Policy Analyst and Manag- er of the LEED Forum for Development Agencies and Investment Strategies and benefitted from the unique expertise of Greg Clark, Chair of the LEED Forum for Development Agencies and Investment Strategies; Andrew Boraine Chief Executive of the Cape