"Barcelona is a city that fosters creativity and entrepreneurship" by Rafael Gonçalves
Rafael Gonçalves is 24 years old, single, and has been living in Barcelona for 14 years. He was born in Goiânia, Brazil. He works as a Corporate Director at Banco Sabadell, advising SMEs on financial solutions, and also collaborates with MFG Manipulados, a family-owned screen-printing company in Barcelona. Banco Sabadell is one of Spain’s leading financial institutions, with more than 26,000 employees, while MFG Manipulados is a small company with ten employees specializing in screen printing and customized solutions.
Why did you choose Barcelona?
Barcelona combines the best of a major city: professional opportunities, a dynamic lifestyle, and a rich cultural scene. I chose Barcelona because it is an international meeting point where business, innovation, and an exceptional quality of life come together. Moreover, it is a city that inspires, with its history, architecture, and energy.
What are the city’s strengths?
I would highlight Barcelona’s cultural diversity, international connectivity, and its ability to attract talent. It is a city that fosters creativity and entrepreneurship, with a highly dynamic business and cultural ecosystem. Moreover, the blend of modern and traditional elements, along with its Mediterranean climate and rich gastronomy, makes it a unique place to live and work.
Which aspects of the city need to be improved? How?
Barcelona has room for improvement in terms of sustainability and tourism management. Better planning of public transportation and the preservation of urban green spaces would be key to maintaining a balance between residents and visitors. It would also be ideal to strengthen policies that support innovation and young professionals. The city has an impressive strength in its young community, eager to innovate and develop projects locally. Empowering this talent would significantly contribute to the city’s well-being and economic growth.
What do you expect from Barcelona in the coming years?
I hope Barcelona continues to position itself as a benchmark in innovation, sustainability, and culture. I trust that it will keep attracting professionals and companies from around the world while preserving its essence as an open, diverse, and welcoming city. I also hope it strengthens its role as a model of a sustainable city, adapted to the needs of the future.
Which city do you consider to be your home city? What do you miss most?
Barcelona is my home and the city I feel as my own. Here, I have found a place where I can grow both personally and professionally while also contributing to its development. Since I arrived, I have been welcomed with open arms. From Goiânia, I miss the closeness of my family, the flavors of Brazilian cuisine, and the warmth of its people. However, in Barcelona, I have found a city that allows me to grow and give back at the same time.
