Barcelona opens a permanent office in Brussels to gain influence in the EU and secure funding

Barcelona opens a permanent representation in Brussels. Mayor Jaume Collboni is promoting the Barcelona Europe Plan to strengthen the city's voice in the EU. The office seeks to attract funds and defend local rights. A key step amid democratic tensions in Europe.

The opening of a permanent Barcelona office in Brussels marks a before and after for the city. This initiative, led by Jaume Collboni, responds to the need for major cities to have real weight in decisions affecting the everyday lives of their inhabitants. At a time when European democracy is threatened by conflicts and the rise of the far right, Barcelona is choosing to be present at Europe's political heart.

The Barcelona Europe Plan, presented in the EU capital, seeks to give the city greater influence in defining priorities before the European Commission. Collboni insists that cities are the starting point for key policies such as housing and social cohesion, and that they must be heard in major European debates. The recent victory of progressive forces in French municipal elections reinforces, according to the mayor, the role of cities as a democratic bastion.

The new office, located on Rue des Arts, will operate as a physical extension of the City Council and a meeting point for municipal representatives. Laia Segura, an expert in international relations and environmental policy, will head this space, which will entail no additional cost for the city. The objective is clear: defend the interests of Barcelona residents and attract European funds for housing, sustainable mobility and digitalisation projects.

In recent years, Barcelona has managed to attract 175 million euros in Next Generation and Feder funds, allocated to initiatives such as the electrification of buses, new cycle lanes and the transformation of Via Laietana. The council wants to consolidate this trend and ensure that participation in Europe translates into tangible improvements for the public.

The Barcelona delegation in Brussels includes political leaders from different parties, reflecting a consensus on the importance of this presence. The office will also serve as a reference centre for any municipal representative travelling to the European capital, strengthening Barcelona's ability to influence EU institutions.

Inaugurated on 24 March 2026 by Jaume Collboni (with Maria Eugènia Gay/Mar Jiménez): the Permanent Representation of Barcelona to the EU defends the city's interests (housing/social cohesion/climate), directed by Laia Segura (ISGlobal/UNESCO/Eco-Union/Friends Earth Europe). Barcelona Europe Plan: 4 pillars — political advocacy, attracting EU funds, international projection, municipal improvements. €175M NextGen/FEDER 2023: electrification of buses, cycle lanes, Via Laietana ZBE.

The City Council stresses that this commitment to Europe is also an active defence of democratic values and freedom, in an increasingly uncertain international context. Collboni considers that decisions made in Brussels directly affect life in the city, from the European budget to housing and sustainability policies.

Laia Segura, head of the new office, has a career linked to international and environmental organisations. Her experience will be key to positioning Barcelona as a European urban benchmark and channelling the opportunities offered by the European Union in innovation, the digital economy and sustainable tourism.

Barcelona's permanent representation in Brussels not only strengthens the city's international profile, but also places it on the front line of debate over the future of European democracy. At a time of global challenges, the Catalan capital is committed to being a protagonist and ally in defending rights and freedoms in Europe.

For decades, Barcelona has sought to consolidate its international presence through alliances and European projects. The creation of its own office in Brussels responds to the city's evolution as a global actor and the need to influence directly the policies affecting its development. This strategy reinforces Barcelona's image as an innovative, open city committed to European values, and anticipates greater participation in the continent's major urban challenges.