● The initiative is part of the global strategy of the Government of Spain to consolidate the country as an international reference in digital transformation, technological innovation and entrepreneurship
● In line with this initiative, the Government recognized on July 8 the MWC Barcelona as an Event of Exceptional Public Interest
The Council of Ministers, on the proposal of the Minister for Digital Transformation and Public Service, Óscar López, has today approved the Royal Decree regulating the direct granting of a grant of 8 million euros to the Barcelona Mobile World Capital Foundation Foundation. With this initiative, the Government of Spain increases its contribution to the celebration of the Mobile World Congress (MWC Barcelona) by 60%, which had been worth 5 million euros since 2019.
The purpose of this Royal Decree is to guarantee, through the direct granting of a grant, the continuity of the congress in Barcelona. Likewise, this measure responds to the agreement to reinforce the institutional commitment acquired by the public administrations that make up the board of trustees of the Barcelona Mobile World Capital Foundation.
This support is not limited to the organization of the event, but also allows the promotion, through the Mobile World Capital Foundation, of initiatives for technology transfer, development of digital talent and promotion of technology for the common good, aligned with the country’s objectives in terms of digitalization. Thus, public support for the event is articulated as a State policy, sustained and shared between the General Administration of the State, the Generalitat de Catalunya and the Barcelona City Council. In this framework, the public entity Red.es plays a key role as the executing arm of the Ministry, coordinating the presence of Spanish companies in the Spanish Pavilion and channeling initiatives that strengthen the national technological and entrepreneurial fabric.
Boosting the digital economy
The initiative is part of the global strategy of the Government of Spain to consolidate the country as an international reference in digital transformation, technological innovation and entrepreneurship. From this perspective, the Ministry for Digital Transformation and Public Service, through the Secretary of State for Digitalization and Artificial Intelligence, leads policies aimed at boosting the digital economy, developing digital services and communicating with key players in the sector. The standard is fully aligned with the Digital Spain Agenda 2026 and the Strategy for the European Digital Decade, being integrated within the strategic priorities of digitalization and global positioning of Spain.
The Mobile World Congress, held annually in Barcelona since 2006, represents a fundamental pillar of this strategy. Its consolidation as a world reference event in connectivity and disruptive technologies such as AI, 5G, blockchain or cybersecurity, has helped to project internationally the image of Spain as a digital hub and to dynamize the innovative and business ecosystem. In addition, its link with initiatives such as 4YFN Barcelona or the Talent Arena generates opportunities for startups and young professionals, strengthening the competitiveness of the national digital ecosystem.
The standard is adopted in a context of expanding the data economy, global connectivity and accelerated development of emerging technologies. In this scenario, the MWC acts as a catalyst for innovation, internationalization and investment for Spanish companies, contributing significantly to the growth of digital GDP, whose objective is to reach 40% by 2030. In this way, the decree responds to a logic of public, economic and strategic interest, seeking not only to sustain an emblematic event, but also to strengthen the position of digital leadership of Spain in the international environment.
In line with this initiative, on July 8, the Government recognized MWC Barcelona as an Event of Exceptional Public Interest, considering the importance and impact of holding this annual congress around the world of mobile communication, which brings together almost 800 mobile phone operators from 219 countries, as well as more than 400 companies in the wider mobile ecosystem.
The grant regulated in this Royal Decree will be granted by the Secretary of State for Digitalization and Artificial Intelligence in accordance with article 62.2.h) of Law 40/2015, of 1 October, on the Legal Regime of the Public Sector, for an amount of 8 million euros. It is a strategic investment that, in addition to strengthening the country’s international presence, enhances the development of national technological capabilities and public-private collaboration in favor of innovation.