Support for Greener Culture in Catalunya: Key Deadlines & How to Apply
Read the Spanish version here.
(Primavera Sound 2024, Christian Bertrand)
We’re sharing a new article by Jone Perez, AGF’s Carbon and Sustainability Systems Lead based in Spain, about how Catalunya is raising the bar for sustainability in the cultural sector.
The article explores recent developments in public funding and procurement - from ICEC grants supporting environmental action to new sustainability requirements for public spaces like Parc del Fòrum. It also includes clear guidance on how AGF can support with carbon assessments, training, certification, and funding applications.
📅 Grant deadlines to keep in mind:
Environmental performance actions: Apply by 5 June 2025
Environmental diagnostics: Apply by 30 September 2025
📄 Read the full article below:
Catalonia is advancing cultural sustainability: active grants and public procurement are raising the bar.
By Jone Perez – AGF’s Carbon and Sustainability Systems Lead based in Spain
Catalonia continues to lead the way in integrating environmental responsibility into its cultural sector. With a strong creative ecosystem and a long tradition of public support for the arts, the region is becoming a reference point for sustainable cultural activity in Spain. Events such as Primavera Sound or RZM, and especially film festivals like Sitges Film Festival, D'A Film Festival, L'Alternativa, Festival REC, In-Edit, and Serielizados — all certified by AGF — are just a few examples of how this commitment is taking shape on the ground.
Public funding: ICEC grants for environmental actions
The Catalan Institute for Cultural Companies (ICEC) currently offers a grant scheme to support actions that reduce the environmental impact of cultural organisations. As part of the Pla C – Cultura pel Clima, this funding aims to support the sector’s decarbonisation and resilience.
Environmental performance actions (applications open until 5 June 2025)
This line supports the implementation of sustainability measures and includes several eligible expenses directly connected to what we offer at AGF:Carbon footprint assessments and the development of decarbonisation plans (excluding offsetting)
Costs associated with obtaining environmental certifications, including the AGF Certification or other recognised schemes
Hiring of in-house sustainability staff or green team members, such as environmental officers or coordinators responsible for implementing measures during event production
Staff training, including AGF-specific training for internal teams or Green Officers on energy, waste, mobility or sustainable operations
Environmental diagnostics (applications open until 30 September 2025)
This line funds preliminary environmental diagnostics, understood as general studies of an organisation’s key environmental aspects — such as energy and water use, waste generation and management, mobility patterns, etc. These diagnostics are intended as a first step before developing more specific sustainability strategies or carbon reduction plans.
Both lines can fund up to 80% of eligible costs, making them a powerful tool to support organisations looking to strengthen or formalise their sustainability approach. Public procurement: the Parc del Fòrum case
In parallel, Barcelona’s public procurement processes are beginning to reflect environmental priorities. The recent tender for Parc del Fòrum stands out for requiring a comprehensive sustainability plan addressing key areas such as energy, waste, mobility, water, food and awareness.
This reflects a growing recognition that events and venues must be prepared not only to act sustainably, but also to demonstrate it through clear and structured plans. Drafting a solid sustainability strategy is becoming a key requirement to operate in public spaces and to align with evolving institutional expectations.
How can AGF support you?
At A Greener Future, we’ve been working for 2 decades to help cultural organisations across the globe measure and reduce their environmental impact. In Catalonia, we can support your transition by:
Carrying out carbon footprint calculations and diagnostics aligned with funding requirements.
Providing the AGF Certification for events, festivals, venues or arenas.
Providing training sessions tailored to your team’s needs, including specific AGF assessor training to carry out environmental assessments or simply to strengthen their understanding of sustainability practices within the AGF framework
Helping shape the documentation and strategy needed to apply for ICEC grants or respond to tenders like the Fòrum.
Sustainability is no longer optional — it’s a requirement. And in Catalonia, the tools and support are increasingly available. If you're thinking of making this shift or applying for the current grants, we're happy to help you navigate the process.
If you’re working in the cultural space in Catalunya and want to take the next step toward a greener future, we’re here to support you. Whether it’s training, certification, or guidance with funding, just reach out — AGF is happy to help.
