From analysis to action: Harnessing local policies to boost productivity (2nd edition)

15-16 April 2026
Bilbao, Bizkaia (Basque Country)

From analysis to action: Harnessing local policies to boost productivity

Background and objectives

Orkestra, the Spatial Productivity Lab at the OECD Trento Centre for Local Development, The Productivity Institute and the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) are partnering to deliver the second edition of the conference From analysis to action: Harnessing local policies to boost productivity. With the support of the Government of Bizkaia, this event will explore innovative approaches to boosting local productivity and competitiveness, following the success of last year’s event.

Objectives

Productivity underpins economic competitiveness and the achievement of high levels of wellbeing. The key drivers of productivity, such as innovation, skills and infrastructure, are highly place specific, a fact that is reflected in the persistence of regional disparities in economic and social performance.

The implication is clear: productivity policies require a spatial lens. Yet this spatial lens is also highly dynamic at a time when places are facing complex challenges related to sustainability transitions, demographic shifts, rapid technological change and a changing geopolitical scenario. In this context there is more need than ever to explore and understand how local policy can navigate these challenges and boost productivity as a route to sustainable wellbeing.

This conference brings together researchers, policymakers, and practitioners to strengthen the evidence base, share lessons, and bridge analysis with actionable strategies for effective place-based development.

Attending the event:

The conference is open to policy makers, academics, experts and practitioners from national and local governments, international organisations, research centres and think-tanks.
All sessions will be conducted in English.
Attendance is free of charge but there are limited places and registration is necessary. Please register as soon as possible by filling the registration form.
Registrations will be processed in the order in which they are received. Registrations will close on 20 March 2026 or once the maximum limit is reached. The organisers reserve the right to limit participation.
Food and drink are provided during the conference, and all participants are invited to a conference dinner on the first day. Travel to Bilbao and accommodation expenses will be the responsibility of the participants.

Organisers

Orkestra - Basque Institute of Competitiveness is a research centre for the study of regional competitiveness based at the University of Deusto. Established in 2006, it has an explicit mission to conduct transformative research, working with stakeholders in the Basque Country and internationally to generate tangible improvements in competitiveness and wellbeing.
The OECD Trento Centre for Local Development is an integral part of the OECD Centre for Entrepreneurship, SMEs, Regions and Cities and works "from data to practice" to provide strategic advice and capacity building to enhance local policy implementation. Building on the granular analysis of its Spatial Productivity Lab (SPL) and leveraging Trento and other communities as "living labs", the Trento Centre has been developing innovative and effective approaches to local development for over 20 years.
The Productivity Institute is a UK-wide research organisation which aims to pinpoint the causes of the stagnation in UK productivity and focus energies to laying the foundations for a new era of sustained and inclusive productivity growth through interdisciplinary research in collaboration with businesses and policymakers.
The Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) is one of the five regional commissions of the United Nations. It was founded with the purpose of contributing to the economic development of Latin America, coordinating actions directed towards this end, and reinforcing economic ties among countries and with other nations of the world.
The Government of Bizkaia is the local institutional partner of this event.

Agenda

The event will take place on 15-16 April 2026 in Bilbao, Basque Country (Spain) at the BAT Tower.

Day 1: Wednesday, 15 April 2026

13.00-14.30 | Registration and welcome lunch
14.30-14:45 | Opening: Welcome remarks by organisers and local authorities
14.45-16.15 | SESSION 1: Knowledge flows for industrial transformation
16.15-16.30 | Coffee break
16.30-18.00 | SESSION 2: Skills ecosystems in the AI era
20.00-22.00 | Dinner

Day 2: Thursday, 16 April 2026

09.30-11.00 | SESSION 3: A long term vision for investing in people, firms and places (Institutional welcome and high-level panel)
11.00-11.30 Coffee break
11.30-13.00 | SESSION 4: Leveraging environmental sustainability and energy transition to drive local productivity
13.00-14.15 Lunch
14.14-15.45 | SESSION 5: Ensuring a balanced approach to territorial productivity

A more detailed version of the preliminary agenda (PDF) can be found in the box below.

Practical information

About Bilbao and Bizkaia

Bilbao is the main city of Bizkaia, a dynamic region in the north of Spain, part of the Basque Country. Over the past decades, Bilbao has undergone a remarkable transformation, combining a strong industrial and economic tradition with contemporary architecture, culture and innovation.

Bizkaia offers a unique mix of urban life, coastline and green landscapes, as well as a rich cultural identity, renowned gastronomy and a strong commitment to sustainability and economic development. Visitors will find a compact, walkable city with excellent public transport and a welcoming atmosphere.

How to get to Bilbao

By air: Bilbao Airport (BIO) offers connections to major European cities, as well as daily direct flights to Madrid, where you can easily connect to destinations around the world. From the airport, the city centre can be reached easily by bus, taxi or car. A direct bus service (Bizkaibus line A3247), which runs every 15-30 minutes, links the airport with the city centre in approximately 30 minutes. One of the stops, Plaza Moyúa, is within walking distance of the event venue. Other nearby airports, such as Santander (SDR), Vitoria-Gasteiz (VIT) and San Sebastián (EAS), also offer additional flight options and are well connected to Bilbao by public transport.
By train: Bilbao-Abando Indalecio Prieto Station is the gateway to the Bizkaia railway system. Mainline trains connect Bilbao to Madrid, Barcelona and other big cities in Spain. Three commuter rail lines (C1, C2 and C3) serve the connections between Bilbao and other points in Bizkaia.
By public transport: Bilbao has a modern and efficient public transport system, including metro, tram and urban buses, making it easy to move around the city and reach the event venue

Event Venue

B Accelerator Tower

Gran Vía de Don Diego López de Haro, 1 (Bilbao)

https://maps.app.goo.gl/VAKQFFSFZk3CvCdd9

The event will take place at BAT – B Accelerator Tower, a landmark building located in the heart of Bilbao. BAT is an international hub for entrepreneurship, innovation and collaboration, bringing together startups, corporations, investors and public institutions.

The venue is centrally located on Gran Vía, Bilbao’s main avenue, and is easily accessible on foot or by public transport.

Accommodation

The following hotels are conveniently located in central Bilbao, within walking distance or a short ride from the venue:

Hotel Abando: Located in the Abando district, close to the city centre and main transport connections. A comfortable option with easy access to the venue and Bilbao’s main attractions.
Sercotel Ayala: A highly rated hotel near the main shopping streets and transport hubs. Its central location makes it a practical choice for event participants.
Sercotel Coliseo Bilbao: Near Plaza Moyúa and Gran Vía, this hotel offers excellent public transport connections and easy access to the event venue.