Catalonia, third in Europe for most R+D centers receiving EU Green Deal funds

Catalonia has the third highest number of companies, universities, and research centers focused on sustainable development projects in receipt of European Union (EU) Green Deal funds in 2021 out of all regions across the continent.

50 Catalan companies and technological research centers received up to €27.4 million, according to figures released by Catalonia Trade & Investment (ACCIÓ) on Monday. The Catalan office has helped out around two-thirds of these entities receiving funds.

The financial support will go to innovations on sustainable projects and those fighting the climate emergency.

The territory was only surpassed by Brussels in Belgium, with 64 entities, and France’s Ile de France region, where Paris is located, with 55 companies and research centers.

Despite representing 1.5% of the EU population, Catalan companies and offices accounted for 3.1% of the overall number of entities in receipt of financial backing, and 2.7% of the overall Green Deal funds.

A quarter of all companies in Spain that were included in the Green Deal budget are based in Catalonia, receiving up to 29.1% of the funds.

Bettair Cities, a Catalan example

One of the Catalan companies who have benefited from the EU Green Deal funds is Bettair Cities. They specialize in developing systems to measure the city's air quality.

Its project is smaller and up to 30% cheaper than traditional measuring stations. The company has received up to €5 million to finance two projects.

iBAM, the first project, a local one, placed three of their measuring devices in Prat de Llobregat, near Barcelona, to create heat maps of air quality.

Meanwhile, Socio Bee, an international project, pilots air quality measurings using drones and wearable technology. For this collaborative effort, the Catalan company is in charge of developing the Internet of Things (IoT) to connect all the different devices.

For iBAM, Bettair Cities received €200,000, while for €5 million in public funds was awarded to help the Socio Bee initiative.

“[It is always good] to take part in European projects if the project objectives are aligned with the company’s technological development plan," Bettair Cities CEO, Josep Perelló, explained to the Catalan News Agency (ACN).

€1 trillion in public aid

To achieve the goals set by on Green Deal, the European Commission pledged up to €1 trillion in backing over the next decade.

In Catalonia, companies and administrations form part of 42% of the 73 European bodies that received public aid.

Out of these bodies, there will be four groups to diversify the funds, such as fire management, climate resilience, renewable energy, and coastal restoration.