APEC
Area for the Promotion of the Space Sector of Catalonia
The APEC articulates the promotion of the space sector in Catalonia and contributes to the various pillars of the Catalan Government’s Catalonia Space 2030 Strategy.
The IEEC incorporates within its structure the Area for the Promotion of the Space Sector of Catalonia (APEC). The APEC articulates the promotion of the space sector in Catalonia and the advancement of knowledge in related areas, as planned in the space strategy of the Catalan Government.
Catalonia has the infrastructure, knowledge and technological background and it is a relevant player in the space field, with substantial experience in research and innovation, launch of missions, payload design, ground facilities, space telecommunications, as well as in commercial activity based on the exploitation of data obtained from satellites. In addition, it has a first-class digital ecosystem that contributes decisively to the impetus of the sector, thanks to the synergy with areas of knowledge such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, advanced electronics for sensors and computers, 3D printing and additive manufacturing, secure communications and next-generation mobile communications (5G and loT), among others.
The APEC contributes to the various pillars of the Government of Catalonia’s space strategy and it carries out R&D&I promotion activities, talent retention, construction of key infrastructures both space and terrestrial, and the development of services and applications intended for the administration and industrial sectors. It aims to grow the ecosystem by strengthening national capacities in the medium and long term, and promoting international collaboration, always maintaining the entity’s commitment to the criteria of social responsibility.
Catalonia Space 2030 Strategy
The promotion of the space sector is a strategic priority for the Government of Catalonia. Since the launch of the first NewSpace Strategy in 2020, Catalonia has deepened its commitment to this objective.
The new Catalonia Space 2030 Strategy, approved in autumn 2025, reinforces this vision and reflects the determination to mobilise the entire sector—from large corporations to start-ups, SMEs and research and innovation agents—to foster a diverse, resilient and productivity-driven sector with the company as a driver of growth and value.
The Strategy also promotes the industrial transformation of traditional sectors, leveraging their technological potential to capitalise on new opportunities in the space sector. The objective is to reinforce the current international economic momentum, attract investment and talent, and consolidate Catalonia as a key player in Europe’s efforts in space technology and innovation.
The Catalonia Space 2030 Strategy is the result of a participatory working process with the main players in the Catalan space sector, as well as experts, institutions and international stakeholders, with the aim of addressing the needs of a sector that is key to the country’s reindustrialisation and must connect with Spanish and European strategies to position Catalonia in the premier league of space.
The IEEC has participated in its definition and deployment, together with the i2CAT Foundation and the Cartographic and Geological Institute of Catalonia (Institut Cartogràfic i Geològic de Catalunya, ICGC), among others. These three institutions are key for the promotion of the space sector, advanced digital technologies and services based on geospatial data, respectively.
The APEC coordinates its activities with the Government of Catalonia and the other entities promoting the Strategy. It has been assigned, among others, the following functions:
Acting as a single window to facilitate access to the space sector for companies and entities by reducing administrative barriers and assisting in administrative and legal processes.
Defining and executing support programmes for the space sector ecosystem.
Creating the necessary facilities and infrastructure and with the appropriate funding for their implementation and operational maintenance.