The meeting brought together representatives from different countries, public administrations, and economic agents to exchange experiences and learn about initiatives that contribute to generating job opportunities and fostering economic development in territories. The first day was held at the cellar of the Masia de Can Barra, where organizations such as ACCIÓ, the Servei Públic d’Ocupació de Catalunya (SOC), the Consell Comarcal del Vallès Occidental, and the Associació d’Empresaris i Propietaris de Polígons de Sant Quirze (AEP) presented initiatives related to employment, training, innovation, and collaboration between the public and private sectors.
One of the highlights was the visit to Net-Pharma, the life sciences hub located in Sant Quirze, which allowed participants to gain first-hand knowledge of the local business fabric's potential. This space exemplifies the presence of innovative companies in the municipality and the importance of creating a favorable environment for them to establish, grow, and find qualified professionals. The day also included a tour of the industrial estates.
In the afternoon, the delegation visited the CIFO of Santa Coloma de Gramenet to learn about the occupational training model promoted by the SOC and its work in adapting professional skills to labor market needs.
The second day, held at the Casa Vila Puig, focused on exchanging experiences and best practices among European partners. The Diputació de Barcelona and the Parc de Recerca de la UAB also participated, in a session that strengthened ties between administrations, research centers, companies, and other regional stakeholders.
The meeting highlighted that municipalities can play a significant role in attracting and retaining qualified professionals, even without direct competencies in all areas. In this regard, Sant Quirze shared its experience as a local administration, capable of connecting companies with resources and programs from other institutions and adapting them to local needs.
Supporting businesses, simplifying procedures, improving access to industrial estates, and the availability of services are some of the factors that contribute to making the municipality more attractive for economic activity and professionals. The visit also served to bring regional policies closer to the reality of the local productive fabric and reinforce collaboration among different stakeholders. The exchange of experiences showed that talent attraction and retention require joint action between administrations, companies, and training and employment organizations.
The Motors of Growth – Interreg Europe project was launched in May 2025 and will conclude in June 2029. It is led by the Swedish region of Västerbotten and involves partners from Italy, Bulgaria, Germany, France, and Belgium, in addition to the Sant Quirze del Vallès City Council.
