Working with Eurocities
For Bilbao, one of the main benefits of Eurocities is the opportunity to play an active role in European policy discussions while building strong partnerships with cities across Europe. Through its participation in the Eurocities Shadow Commission, Bilbao has contributed directly to debates on urban priorities and strengthened its visibility within European networks.
The city has also benefited from collaboration and knowledge-sharing through initiatives such as the ODELL platform, which supports data-driven innovation and evidence-based policymaking. This has given Bilbao access to new methodologies, good practices and partnerships that help improve local services and urban governance.
Bilbao’s active engagement in Eurocities has also enabled it to host major European events, including the Economic Development Forum in 2024 and the Nets4Dem Democracy Lab in 2026. Through these events, as well as its participation in working groups on topics such as innovation, entrepreneurship and migration, Bilbao has showcased its experience in urban transformation, economic development, innovation and citizen participation.
For Bilbao, Eurocities is a trusted community of cities working together to address shared challenges. The network helps the city learn from peers, develop strategic partnerships, contribute to European policies and strengthen the international profile and impact of its local initiatives.
What to know about the city
Throughout history, Bilbao has turned its problems into opportunities. And over the last 30 years, it has reinvented itself, becoming an economic hub and world-renowned example of urban transformation. Despite its success, Bilbao never stands still. It continues to develop projects so it can stay competitive on the global stage. And thanks to its skill for reinvention, Bilbao has been able to evolve into a modern, efficient, friendly and attractive place to live, work and visit.
The Basque Country’s financial capital, Bilbao has a thriving business ecosystem with a solid industrial base. Ranked by the EU as the leading innovation hub in Southern Europe, the Basque Country is the top region for innovation at the state level. This success is largely down to the Basque Science, Technology and Innovation Network. Bilbao also supports and encourages entrepreneurship, with plenty of opportunities to network and meet with fellow entrepreneurs at a range of events. As a medium-sized city, it has the flexibility to create a rich climate for collaboration, driving numerous strategies and activities that promote local and international talent.
Residents can enjoy the sense of community in its public spaces. There are plenty of green spaces to enjoy all over the city. From urban parks to forested areas in the Bilbao Green Belt. To mitigate growth, Bilbao promotes efficient energy management and renewable energy in buildings and infrastructure. Cultural and natural heritage is preserved through revitalisation programmes.
Bilbao is rich in culture, leisure and the arts. A magnet for tourism, it is home to 12 prestigious museums, including the eponymous Guggenheim Bilbao, which continues attracting an increasing number of visitors year after year. The city has also become a well-known destination for renowned cultural and international sporting events. Internationally recognised for its nouvelle cuisine, Bilbao has a diverse collection of cafes, restaurants and bars – some with Michelin Stars.
Bilbao is a city with a strong personality, which has emerged from difficult times with a great deal of solidarity, with values that have consolidated us as an international reference city, to the extent that Bilbao is considered by locals and foreigners alike as one of the best places to live. The politics of values, solidarity, dignity and human growth are paramount, working every day to be a socially cohesive city.
