Candidate for European Rising Innovative City 2026
Discover why Sant Cugat stands out as an exemplary candidate for the European Rising Innovative City.
Sant Cugat has submitted its candidacy for the European Rising Innovative City 2026 awards, promoted by the European Commission under the Horizon Europe programme for Research and Innovation.
These awards recognise medium-sized cities — with a population between 50,000 and 249,999 inhabitants — that lead innovation through transformative public policies, the promotion of entrepreneurship, and the adoption of technological advances that improve citizens’ lives.
With a population of around 100,000 inhabitants and a strong commitment to innovation, Sant Cugat positions itself as a solid and ambitious candidate for the European Rising Innovative City 2026 category.
Pillars of Innovation in Sant Cugat
The six key areas that position Sant Cugat as a European reference in innovation.
Candidate cities are evaluated based on their ability to experiment, scale innovative initiatives, build collaborative ecosystems, share best practices, deploy a transformative vision, and uphold citizens’ rights through innovation.
These six pillars are outlined below, contextualized within Sant Cugat’s innovation landscape.
1- Experimenting
Sant Cugat del Vallès has established itself as a living lab city, where innovative solutions are tested at an urban scale. Since 2011, it has operated as an urban sandbox with a vibrant ecosystem made up of citizens, businesses, universities, and public administration.
2- Scaling
Sant Cugat drives scalability as a strategic pillar of local development: promoting startups, attracting talent, securing investment, and creating a regulatory environment favorable to innovation and sustainable growth.
3- Ecosystem Building
Sant Cugat has created a strong and inclusive innovation ecosystem where the administration, businesses, universities, and citizens actively collaborate. BIVA (Barcelona Innovation Valley Alliance), its pioneering alliance, connects talent and technology to generate solutions with an impact on health, sustainability, and quality of life. Through structures such as the Innovation Council and the BIVA HUB, projects are coordinated that position the city as a European reference.
4- Expansion
Sant Cugat drives an open innovation strategy that connects the city with other municipalities, regions, and international ecosystems. It participates in European initiatives and also establishes collaborations with actors outside the European Union, extending its model on a global scale.
5- Innovative City Vision
Sant Cugat promotes a city model based on innovation as a tool for urban transformation and citizen well-being. This vision is structured through the Strategic Innovation and Entrepreneurship Plan and the BIVA alliance, focusing on sustainability, digitalization, social inclusion, and shared governance.
6- Citizens’ Rights
In Sant Cugat, innovation is not only a driver of technological progress but also a means to uphold rights, promote equality, and strengthen social cohesion. The city is committed to an open, inclusive, and digital democracy where diversity is embraced as a value and participation is upheld as an active right.
Projects
Explore some of the projects that Sant Cugat has developed in recent years to respond innovatively to the city’s needs and challenges.
Smart Street (2011)
Catalonia’s first smart street, located on Cèsar Martinell Street in Sant Cugat, introduced pioneering technologies, including adaptive lighting, automatic irrigation based on soil humidity, sensor-based waste collection, and a smart parking guidance system. This pilot project marked a turning point in digital urban management.
Library Living Lab
The Miquel Batllori Library (Volpelleres) hosts the first technology innovation lab located within a public library in Europe. It offers open workshops on 3D printing, virtual museum tours, educational apps, and experiments with artificial intelligence—bringing together culture, science, and citizens in a shared space.
WiFi4EU (2021)
Installation of high-speed free Wi-Fi access points in public spaces such as Plaça Octavià and Can Vernet.
Smart Cameras (2022–2023)
Automatic license plate recognition and digital monitoring of mobility and public safety through 90 new control points.
Smart Water Management
Sant Cugat has reduced domestic water consumption from 212 to 116 litres per person per day, with a goal of reducing this figure to below 100 lpd by 2030. This achievement is the result of greywater and rainwater reuse, real-time consumption monitoring through sensors, and the use of reclaimed water — all within the framework of the PAESC (Climate Change Adaptation Plan).
European Pilot Projects
- GEOFIT: Geothermal energy and AI integration in buildings. GEOFIT
- BD4NRG: Big data for energy efficiency. BD4NRG
- SUNHORIZON: Combining heat pumps and solar energy. SUNHORIZON
- SAVE THE HOMES: Digital platform for energy-efficient home renovation. Save the Homes
Social and Solidarity Economy: La Politja
A socio-economic lab that promotes community-driven projects and responsible public procurement.
Innovation Governance
Creation of a Technical Innovation Unit and a Cross-Departmental Technical Commission to institutionalize pilot projects and integrate them into public policies.
Regulatory Sandbox
Sant Cugat is a pioneering city as a national regulatory sandbox for testing new public policies and flexible legal frameworks.
Comprehensive Support for Start-ups and Business Growth
Sant Cugat promotes entrepreneurship and business innovation through a well-established public-private ecosystem. Each year, the Business Support Office advises more than 450 entrepreneurs and facilitates the creation of around 50 new companies, which show a high survival rate. This support is complemented by programs such as EMPENTA (with ESADE), Explorer, and Reempresa, focused on business creation, acceleration, and continuity. In addition, the city offers specialized infrastructures and a network of coworking spaces that foster the attraction and consolidation of innovative projects.
Talent Attraction and Activation
Sant Cugat is committed to retaining local talent and attracting new talent through spaces like the Entrepreneurship Center and initiatives such as the Digital Impulse Hub. Collaborative actions with universities and companies create real opportunities. The CodeWars competition, organized by HP, promotes STEM vocations among young people. Additionally, programs like Take Off support women entrepreneurs, and FADA trains women over 45 in digital skills.
Corporate Technology Hubs
Major companies have chosen Sant Cugat to establish their R&D and innovation centers, including HP, Roche, GFT, and Boehringer. These hubs generate qualified employment, connect with start-ups, and collaborate with universities. The City Council promotes these alliances through ACCIÓ and other entities, positioning Sant Cugat as a key node within the metropolitan area.
Private Investment and Financing
The city has strong instruments to finance entrepreneurship. BStartup, part of Banc Sabadell, is headquartered in Sant Cugat and has invested in nearly 100 start-ups. ESADE BAN is one of the most active private investor networks in Europe, providing financial and strategic support to emerging projects. This combination of investment and mentorship makes Sant Cugat a strong hub for attracting smart capital.
Regulatory Environment and Innovative Public Procurement
The City Council works to make public procurement more accessible to SMEs and freelancers. It offers guidance to join the RELI system and promotes the participation of the social economy. The Dynamic Purchasing System enables open, agile, and competitive bidding processes, incorporating sustainability and digitalization criteria. Training sessions are also provided to strengthen the technical capabilities of local businesses and municipal staff.
Direct Grants and Financial Support
Between 2020 and 2022, nearly €930,000 in grants were allocated to more than 900 businesses and self-employed professionals. These funds supported post-COVID recovery efforts, new business creation, and commercial lease sustainability. Thanks to this support, over 700 jobs were preserved, strengthening the resilience of the local economic fabric.
Sant Cugat as an Ecosystem Catalyst
The Sant Cugat City Council has taken on an active role as a facilitator of alliances. This vision is embodied in the creation of BIVA – the Barcelona Innovation Valley Alliance, a platform that connects major companies like HP and Roche, universities such as ESADE and UAB, technology centers like Eurecat, and social organizations. BIVA not only drives projects but also coordinates collective efforts through stable structures like the Innovation Council and the Executive Committee, making Sant Cugat a city that creates real conditions for shared innovation.
A Mature and Structured Ecosystem
The local innovation ecosystem is designed to be inclusive and participatory. It operates on a three-level structure: at the base are thousands of individuals, companies, and educational centers; in the middle, key actors such as universities, clusters, and leading companies act as bridges; and at the top, BIVA and the City Council coordinate policies and resources. This model ensures engagement, coherence, and real impact.
Vehicles to Activate Innovation
BIVA operates through five key vehicles that energize the ecosystem
- Inspiration, through trend-spotting events and insight sessions.
- Talent, with school challenges and university engagement.
- Activation, via European programs and access to funding.
- Incubation, with coworking spaces and soft-landing services for businesses.
- Initiatives, including projects in health, sustainability, and other strategic areas.
Strategic Value Chains
Sant Cugat has a highly specialized and diversified economy. Key sectors include health sciences, sustainable construction, professional services, food, energy, and finance. The city is also an international benchmark in high-performance sports, thanks to the High Performance Centre (CAR). In addition, pioneering initiatives like Ethics4Sports and SportBoard promote sports ethics through digital tools.
Strategic Territorial Connections
Sant Cugat actively cooperates with neighboring cities such as Rubí, Cerdanyola del Vallès, and Terrassa to foster a shared metropolitan innovation environment. These alliances enable joint projects in mobility, sustainability, digitalization, and health, creating economies of scale and impact that extend beyond municipal boundaries.
Presence in Innovation Networks and International Recognition
Sant Cugat is a co-founder of the Digital Impulse Hub, a Catalan alliance that brings together cities like Terrassa and Sabadell, universities, and technology centers such as Eurecat, with the aim of accelerating digitalization for SMEs and public administrations. The hub provides advanced services in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and Big Data, and promotes scalable technological solutions across the region. At the national level, Sant Cugat is an active member of the Red Innpulso, led by the Spanish Ministry of Science, where it shares public policies and projects with other innovative cities in Spain. These alliances reinforce the city’s role as a benchmark in technology transfer, institutional collaboration, and public sector innovation.
Participation in European Projects
The city is a key partner in high-level European programs such as Interreg HEALTH CITIES, focused on life sciences and medical technology, where Sant Cugat leads joint work with nine European cities. It has also participated in projects like SunHorizon, BD4NRG, Geofit, and Save the Homes, enabling it to act as a pilot city in energy transition, digitalization, and sustainability.
International Cooperation
Sant Cugat serves as a mentor city in technical cooperation projects with municipalities worldwide. Notably, it has established an alliance with Cotacachi (Ecuador), implementing a digital citizen service system inspired by the local OAC model. It has also collaborated with Tarija (Bolivia) on waste management and with Petén (Guatemala) on environmental education and treatment infrastructure. These initiatives position Sant Cugat as a global reference in municipal knowledge transfer and innovation applied to resource-limited contexts.
Health – Health Cities Project (Interreg Europe)
Sant Cugat leads the European Health Cities project, which promotes the health and life sciences ecosystem with the involvement of major companies and universities. This alliance strengthens talent attraction, research, and investment linked to citizen well-being.
Digital – Digital Impulse Hub Project (EDIH)
As an access point to the European Digital Innovation Hub, Sant Cugat collaborates with the Terrassa Chamber of Commerce and UPC to accelerate the digitalization of SMEs and public administrations. The goal is for 70% of businesses to adopt advanced technologies by 2030.
Green – Sant Cugat Climate Emergency Action Plan (PAESC)
With PAESC 2030, Sant Cugat has set clear goals: reduce CO₂ emissions by 55% compared to 2005 levels and achieve a fully electrified building stock by 2050. This plan structures the transition toward a climate-neutral city.
Social – EcoNeighbourhood “Living on the Edge”
This project transforms a peripheral area into a self-sufficient, inclusive, and green neighbourhood. It includes affordable housing, energy communities, active mobility, and shared public spaces, becoming a replicable model of sustainable urban planning.
Entrepreneurship & Innovation – Strategic Plan for the Innovation System
The plan introduces a new governance model designed to foster green and digital entrepreneurship, attract talent, and support SMEs and startups. It aligns with the SDGs and the European missions in health, climate, and digital transformation.
Innovation for Cohesion and Equality
Sant Cugat leverages innovation as a tool for social transformation. With a population representing over 75 nationalities and 19% foreign residents, the city has implemented inclusive policies to ensure equal opportunities and active coexistence.
Participatory Democracy and Digital Rights
The Decidim Sant Cugat platform enables direct participation in participatory budgeting, neighborhood councils, and projects like Safe Routes to School. It has engaged over 1,000 participants and allocated a budget of €840,000.
Labor Inclusion and Diverse Talent
The Social Impact Day, held at ESADE, brought together over 50 organizations to promote the hiring of underrepresented groups. Additionally, more than 700 entrepreneurs have received support, with 66% of them being women entering the labor market.
Feminist Democracy and Urban Safety
Since 2019, gender-sensitive urban audits have identified areas perceived as unsafe and proposed improvements based on women’s lived experiences. These contributions are integrated into the city’s urban planning processes.
Inclusive Governance – Commissioner for Functional Diversity
Sant Cugat has established the institutional role of Commissioner for People with Disabilities, directly linked to the Mayor’s Office. Representing 5% of the population, this position works to ensure rights, visibility, and support for families.