Barcelona Talent Accelerator kicks off with 50 young highfliers

The fifty students comprising the first cohort of the Barcelona Talent Accelerator have already begun their academic and personal mentoring journey. This three-year, 100% scholarship training experience, promoted by Esade and IQS, is designed for 15–16-year-old students from the Barcelona metropolitan area with high academic potential but limited financial resources.

The launch of the first cohort of this program is a clear indication of the commitment by Esade and IQS to the educational and social development of Barcelona. The program brings the university environment closer to students with an outstanding academic record and gives them a framework for learning, guidance and mentoring during a phase of crucial importance for defining their academic future.

The first cohort of students are aged around 15, have an average mark of 8.92, are mainly girls (68%) and come mostly from Barcelona and other towns in the Barcelona area. These data reflect the program’s ability to pinpoint talented youngsters in the region and deliver support from the early stages.

“The Barcelona Talent Accelerator is a reflection of one of Esade’s core beliefs: talent pops up everywhere, but opportunities are not always equal. The aim of this program is to support young people from Barcelona during a decisive phase, bolster their confidence and broaden their academic horizons. Boosting this talent is also a specific way to help bring about real change in the society in which we live,” said Cristina Giménez, director of Identity and Mission at Esade.

An academic journey with on-going support

With bootcamps, summer schools, personalized mentoring, English booster classes and academic guidance, students will follow an itinerary that combines learning, support and an early introduction to the university setting. The program will enable them to develop their skills in communication, critical thinking, leadership, creativity, teamwork and personal confidence, whilst working on challenges related to innovation, sustainability, STEM and social entrepreneurship.

In addition to offering training, the Barcelona Talent Accelerator seeks to ensure that these young people can enter higher education with more opportunities and fully develop their academic and personal potential. The program aims to enlarge their academic and professional horizons by providing them with the necessary tools, references and support to make informed decisions about their future.

This program also cements collaboration between educational establishments committed to social advancement in Barcelona; forges links between Esade, IQS, the region’s educational ecosystem, and the Jesuits Education network; and consolidates itself as an example of working together to prevent economic barriers from hampering future opportunities.

The next phase in the program is the Summer School: an intensive experience to take place on the Esade and IQS campuses that will provide continuity to the students’ educational journey.