Valladolid City Council is allocating €30,000 to recognise innovative projects across six strategic categories. Applications may be submitted until 15 November 2026.
Valladolid City Council, through its Innovation and Economic Development Agency (IdeVa), is launching the 1st IdeVa Awards: Innovation, Creativity and Talent. City of Valladolid, an initiative designed to recognise and promote projects that contribute to the city’s economic, technological, social and environmental development.
As part of the Valladolid Now project, these awards aim to showcase innovative initiatives that are already underway, promote technological transformation and sustainability, and encourage the creation of highly skilled jobs and the retention of local talent.
Six Categories to Drive Innovation
The awards have a total prize fund of €30,000, distributed across six categories:
Innovation Award for Environment and Sustainability: Projects focused on decarbonisation, energy efficiency, sustainable mobility, the circular economy and urban renaturalisation.
Innovation Award for SMEs, Technology Startups and Artificial Intelligence: Solutions based on artificial intelligence, robotics, the Internet of Things and other emerging technologies.
Innovation Award for Social Wellbeing, Health and the Silver Economy: Initiatives related to digital health, telecare, personal autonomy and active ageing.
Innovation Award for the Strategic Automotive Sector: Projects involving electrification, connected vehicles, advanced robotics and smart manufacturing.
Innovation Award for the Strategic Agri-Food Sector: Initiatives focused on digitalisation, traceability, food safety and sustainability in the agri-food industry.
Innovation Award for Artistic Creativity: Projects that integrate technology, design, audiovisual media, cultural heritage, video games or performing arts.
In addition, the competition includes the International Recognition for Excellence from Valladolid, an honorary distinction awarded to individuals or organisations with links to Valladolid that demonstrate outstanding reach and recognition.
Alongside the financial prizes, winning projects may benefit from a tailored support programme offering business acceleration opportunities, access to investors, connections with industrial clusters and city networks, and participation in industry trade fairs.
InnoVa Scholarships: Opportunities for Talent
The initiative is complemented by the InnoVa Scholarships – City of Valladolid programme, a public-private partnership aimed at strengthening professional skills and improving access to highly skilled employment.
Companies and organisations such as ABANCA, Repsol, Telefónica, Horse, Grupo Entrepinares, Luce IT, Madison, Fundación Rafael del Pino and Mozo Grau are participating in the initiative, which offers employment opportunities, long-term internships, research placements and international scholarships at prestigious institutions.
Who Can Apply?
The call is open to individuals aged 16 and over, self-employed professionals, SMEs, startups, cooperatives, associations, universities and non-profit organisations operating in Valladolid, the General Interest Association area or the surrounding metropolitan area.
Projects must be either in the implementation phase or already operational, with at least three months of demonstrable activity by the application deadline. Each applicant may submit a project to a maximum of three categories and must provide a descriptive project report.
Applications will be assessed by an independent, multidisciplinary jury comprising representatives from the business, academic, technology and innovation sectors.
How to Apply
The application period remains open until 15 November 2026.
The official rules, application form and information about the InnoVa Scholarships programme are available on the website of Valladolid’s Innovation and Economic Development Agency:
By the end of 2025, the Network comprised 130 ambassadors living in 35 countries; today, that map has expanded to 42 countries across five continents.
With this ‘Summer Gathering,’ Valladolid City Council reaffirms its commitment to this community abroad—part of the Valladolid Now action plan—aiming to continue attracting professionals and supporting the internationalization of companies from Valladolid.
The event featured a talk by Julio Ceballos Rodríguez, a leading Spanish expert on the Chinese market and China’s impact on the global economy and geopolitics.
Additionally, the ‘Network Beacons’ were introduced—key professionals who will provide support in their respective countries to individuals from Valladolid who need it.
IdeVa (the Valladolid City Council’s Agency for Innovation and Economic Development) brought together more than 60 professionals from the Valladolid Ambassadors Network today at the Eusebio Sacristán Foundation facilities; these professionals work in some of the world’s major economic, business, scientific, and academic hubs.
All of them maintain a close bond with Valladolid and wish to contribute to the city’s development, lending their talents to various activities across 42 countries—an increase of seven countries since the end of last year. This commitment was highlighted during a second gathering—following an initial meeting in December—that brought together institutions, businesses, and universities, all united by a pledge to create new collaborative opportunities and strengthen the city’s international profile.
Valladolid Mayor Jesús Julio Carnero expressed his gratitude for the professionals’ generosity and emphasized that «our Ambassadors Network helps position Valladolid not only as a tourism or cultural destination but also as an attractive place to invest, launch businesses, conduct research, work, and live. It can open doors to collaborations, investment, knowledge transfer, business internationalization, and the attraction of skilled talent. Most importantly, it fosters a sense of community and builds an essential, long-term bond.»
With this «Summer Gathering,» Valladolid City Council reaffirms its commitment to a network that is part of the Valladolid Now action plan, aiming to continue attracting professionals and supporting the internationalization of local businesses.
In this regard, Carnero highlighted that «from the very beginning, the Municipal Office for Projects and Investment Attraction has united talent, business, academia, and public authorities into a genuine hub for collaboration—thanks to the joint efforts of Valladolid City Council and CEOE Valladolid—playing an increasingly vital role in Valladolid’s international projection, the attraction of opportunities, and its economic development.» For his part, Carlos Magdaleno, President of CEOE Valladolid, stated that “the Valladolid Talent Abroad Network—part of the Valladolid Ambassadors Network—must become a useful and accessible tool for our companies. The ‘Beacons’ will enable two-way connections: supporting Valladolid-based companies in their internationalization efforts and identifying projects, investment, and talent that could find a suitable environment for growth in Valladolid. The challenge now is to transform the knowledge and relationships gathered by the Network into concrete opportunities.”
The initiative was developed in collaboration with CEOE Valladolid—a strategic partner of the Network—to strengthen the connection between Valladolid-based talent abroad and the city’s business community, seeking new opportunities for internationalization, investment, and growth.
During the event, new personalized «Valladolid Ambassadors Network» cards were distributed; this named credential recognizes membership in the international community and symbolizes each ambassador’s commitment to promoting Valladolid. Those unable to attend will receive theirs by mail.
Network «Beacons»
The meeting also unveiled a key new feature of the Network: the creation of the «Beacon» role. These are prominent professionals from Valladolid pursuing careers in strategic international markets. They will act as hosts, facilitating a two-way exchange: serving as a support system for Valladolid companies looking to expand internationally, while also acting as a gateway for projects interested in launching ventures within the city.
The first five Network «Beacons»—who joined the event online—are María Moreno (South Africa), David García (Germany), Víctor Escolar (India), Cristina Rivas (Singapore), and Salvador Moreno (Mexico). These professionals possess solid international track records and are dedicating their experience and networks to Valladolid’s economic development.
Lecture by Julio Ceballos Rodríguez, International Business Development Consultant
The event featured a lecture by Julio Ceballos Rodríguez, an international business development consultant, author, and one of Spain’s leading experts on the Chinese market and China’s impact on the global economy and geopolitics. Drawing on over two decades of professional experience in Asia, Ceballos gave a talk titled «Networks and Talent in the New World Order: Opportunities and Challenges,» highlighting the role played by professional networks and international talent in a global landscape defined by profound economic and geopolitical shifts.
Virtual Ambassador Support Office
At the same time, the Virtual Ambassador Support Office has been launched—a space designed to maintain direct, ongoing contact with ambassadors, thereby facilitating communication and strengthening the bond between the city and those pursuing their professional careers elsewhere.
The goal is for the Ambassador Network to be more than just a professional database or a contact list; it is meant to be a genuine community. It is a dynamic, accessible, and useful network for sharing talent, creating opportunities, driving projects, and keeping the connection between Valladolid and its ambassadors—wherever they may be—constantly open.
The ‘Volvemos a Valladolid 2025-2026’ (We Are Returning to Valladolid) talent return grants have facilitated the return of 16 individuals to the city, as part of a program designed to support, facilitate, and incentivize the return of various professionals.
The second application window for the 2026 call remains open until November 20.
Valladolid City Council has concluded the first competitive grant award process for the ‘Volvemos a Valladolid 2025-2026’ talent return program. This initiative supports professionals who were living outside the city and returned during 2025 by providing a non-repayable grant of up to €10,000 to cover ongoing expenses (moving, travel, transport, rent, etc.) associated with their return.
The grant covers 80% of these documented expenses, up to a maximum of €8,000. This amount may be increased by €1,000 for individuals under the age of 35 and by an additional €500 per dependent, up to the overall maximum of €10,000 per beneficiary.
The grants are designed to facilitate the professional reintegration of returnees, whether through employment by others or by launching new business ventures that drive economic development in the municipality. In this round, two individuals returned to start their own businesses, while the others returned to take up employment. Of the 20 applications submitted by January 31, 2026, by individuals who returned between January 1 and December 31, 2025, 16 have been granted, totaling €30,432 out of the €50,000 allocated for the call for applications. One application was submitted after the deadline, and the other three did not meet the required criteria. The remaining funds will be applied to a second process—open until November 20—for those returning to the city in 2026; this budget may be increased by an additional €50,000 if necessary.
Beneficiary Profile
The beneficiaries are evenly split, with 50% men and 50% women. Regarding age, 50% are under 35, receiving an additional €1,000 for this reason.
The average amount of this non-repayable grant was €2,050 per person, with 30% of beneficiaries receiving more than €3,000.
Nine beneficiaries returned from other parts of Spain—specifically Madrid, Zaragoza, Valencia, and Barcelona—while the remaining seven returned from abroad (Canada, France, or Germany).
The «Volvemos a Valladolid 2025-2026» grant program, managed by the Innovation and Economic Development Agency (IdeVa)—which reports to the Mayor’s Office—was approved by the Governing Board on December 29, 2025, and published in the Official Gazette of the Province (BOP) on January 9 of this year.
The program aims to provide direct financial aid to support, facilitate, and incentivize the return to Valladolid of professionals who were living outside the Autonomous Community of Castile and León and have returned—or plan to return—between 2025 and November 1, 2026. This initiative is closely linked to talent retention and attraction, serving as a fundamental pillar for business growth and population attraction.
This initiative is part of the «Valladolid Now» economic development strategy, which seeks to attract talent to strengthen the local productive sector and enhance the city’s appeal for national and international investment.
The City Council is reviving this Network—originally established in 2009—and relaunching it as a strategic tool to maintain ties with natives of Valladolid who are pursuing their careers outside Spain.
embajadores valladolid
Valladolid Mayor Jesús Julio Carnero announced this afternoon the launch of a new call for financial aid designed to facilitate the return of talent from Valladolid currently building professional careers outside the region of Castile and León. The announcement was made during a meeting of the Valladolid Ambassadors’ Network held in the City Hall Reception Hall, attended by a large group of the 130 ambassadors currently affiliated with the Network; these individuals reside in over 35 countries across every continent (Europe, North and South America, Africa, Asia, and Oceania).
The aid—part of the «Volvemos a Valladolid 2025-2026» (Returning to Valladolid 2025-2026) program and approved today, December 29, by the Governing Board—includes grants of up to 10,000 euros per beneficiary. These are non-repayable subsidies intended to cover expenses associated with returning to the city from outside the Autonomous Community of Castile and León. The initiative, promoted by the Valladolid Innovation and Economic Development Agency (IdeVa), has an initial budget of 50,000 euros, which could be increased by an additional 50,000 euros depending on demand. Individuals who meet the requirements specified in the call for applications may be eligible for the grant; these requirements include, among others, having been born in or resided in Valladolid for at least 12 months, and having lived and worked outside Castile and León for at least 12 consecutive months prior to the grant application, with an obligation to establish residence in the city for at least two years upon their return, as evidenced by a municipal registration certificate.
Two grant application processes have been launched:
– Individuals who returned to Valladolid from outside the Castile and León region during 2025 may apply for the grants until January 31;
– and for those returning in 2026, the application period will remain open until November 30.
The announcement was made during the Ambassadors Network’s first major in-person gathering since its reactivation. Originally established in 2009, the network has been revived and revitalized by the City Council as a strategic tool to maintain ties with Valladolid natives building careers abroad and to leverage this human capital for the city’s economic, cultural, and social development and global profile through the «Valladolid Now» initiative.
As the mayor stated, «They are Valladolid’s best advocates and representatives abroad, acting as the eyes and hands of our municipality in their cities of residence. They are an essential part of an international Valladolid and now have a dedicated website: www.embajadoresvalladolid.com.»
The event marked the first major in-person meeting of this expatriate community in its new phase—envisioned as an open, diverse, and growing network. It comprises professionals from various fields (business, economics, academia and vocational training, innovation, tourism, culture and the arts, sustainability, and social sectors) who maintain active ties with Valladolid from locations around the globe.
In his address, the mayor highlighted the initiative’s value in transforming the concept of «brain drain» into «talent export,» emphasizing that «Valladolid is a city capable of generating human capital with an international reach.» He also underscored the ambassadors’ role as active agents in promoting the city abroad and as an essential part of «Valladolid Now» in supporting efforts to attract investment.
The event was also attended by the Rector of the University of Valladolid, Antonio Largo Cabrerizo; the Rector of the European University Miguel de Cervantes, David García López; and the President of CEOE Valladolid, Carlos Magdaleno, demonstrating the institutional, academic, and business support behind the launch of this initiative.
A highlight of the day was the presentation by Alba Morales—a digital creative and illustrator at Accenture Song Middle East, a Valladolid ambassador in Dubai, and the creator of the new Valladolid ambassador brand. She explained the brand concept and shared her international professional experience, reflecting on the role the network can play in connecting global talent with their home city.
Presentation of awards
During the gathering, Honorary Ambassador awards were also presented to two distinguished University of Valladolid (UVa) alumni residing abroad—María Almudena Sevilla and Alexandre Pérez—in recognition of their professional achievements and their commitment to promoting Valladolid from abroad.
Following the official speeches, the event continued with networking sessions organized by continent, bringing together ambassadors and companies from Valladolid. These sessions were designed to foster ideas, contacts, and potential future collaborative projects, thereby reinforcing the network’s participatory and relationship-building nature.
The City Council has emphasized that the Valladolid Ambassadors Network is being relaunched with a commitment to continuity and growth, serving as a key tool to strengthen the city’s international profile and advance a development model rooted in people, talent, and cooperation. This network focuses, above all, on individuals—coming from diverse backgrounds and countries—who share a common origin and a desire to continue contributing to the shared project of Valladolid and «Valladolid Now,» particularly regarding the attraction of investment.
The Mayor of Valladolid, Jesús Julio Carnero, announced this afternoon the launch of a new call for financial aid aimed at facilitating the return of talent from Valladolid currently pursuing professional careers outside the region of Castile and León. The announcement was made during a meeting of the Valladolid Ambassadors Network held at City Hall’s Reception Hall, attended by a large group of the 130 ambassadors currently affiliated with the Network; these ambassadors reside in over 35 countries across every continent (Europe, North and South America, Africa, Asia, and Oceania).
The aid—part of the ‘Volvemos a Valladolid 2025-2026’ (We Return to Valladolid 2025-2026) program and approved today, December 29, by the Governing Board—includes grants of up to €10,000 per beneficiary. These are non-repayable grants designed to cover expenses associated with returning to the city from outside the Autonomous Community of Castile and León. The initiative, promoted by the Valladolid Innovation and Economic Development Agency (IdeVa), has an initial budget of €50,000, which could be increased by another €50,000 depending on demand.
Eligibility for the grant extends to individuals who meet the requirements specified in the call for applications. These include, among others, having been born in or having resided in Valladolid for at least 12 months, and having lived and worked outside Castile and León for at least 12 consecutive months prior to the grant application. Recipients are required to establish residency in the city for at least two years upon their return, a fact that must be verified via a municipal registration certificate (certificado de empadronamiento).
Two application processes have been established for the aid. Applications for the grants may be submitted until January 31 by those who have returned to Valladolid from outside Castile and León during 2025, while for those returning in 2026, the application period will remain open until November 30.
PROSPECT CUBE comprises a consortium of 12 European partners from countries including Italy, France, Austria, Ireland, the Netherlands, and Slovenia.
By ratifying the agreement, the City Council reaffirms its commitment to the Valladolid Mission to advance toward a zero-emission city.
Valladolid City Council has ratified the European funding for its participation in the consortium for this new project. This move further solidifies its commitment to sustainability and climate neutrality, adding a new milestone to its international track record through the management of PROSPECT CUBE, part of the European Union’s LIFE CET program.
The initiative aims to strengthen the capacity of local and regional authorities across the EU to implement sustainable energy projects using innovative financing mechanisms; in this instance, Valladolid’s experience serves as a guide for other cities.
The PROSPECT CUBE project builds upon the work established by the earlier PROSPECT and PROSPECT+ initiatives. It incorporates a proven peer-learning methodology, enabling the sharing of best practices among European cities and regions. Furthermore, the new program will expand the range of innovative financing schemes, enhance existing tools with artificial intelligence, and provide materials in multiple languages to overcome language barriers.
Exchange of best practices among European citiesValladolid thus assumes a leading role as a reference city and will spearhead three key learning areas: Sustainable Mobility, Energy Performance Contracts (EPCs), and Energy Communities.
The project has a total budget of €1,775,668, of which the Valladolid City Council will manage €102,880—95% of which is funded by the LIFE-2024-CET-LOCAL program.
PROSPECT CUBE will run for 36 months and be coordinated by the prestigious European Institute for Energy and Climate Policy (IEECP), based in the Netherlands.
In total, the project aims to support 366 local and regional authorities across Europe in their energy transition by providing access to an e-learning platform, training materials, updated digital tools, and a new utility offering a clear overview of available grants and funding.
Through its Innovation and Economic Development Agency (IdeVa), the Valladolid City Council is championing this project; it not only strengthens the city’s international standing but also enables it to continue learning and building new networks to achieve the core objective of the Valladolid Mission: reaching climate neutrality by 2030.and regions
