Sant Pau, Barcelona“The point is to generate an impact that has a lasting effect beyond the event itself,” explained Christoph Tessmar, Director of the Barcelona Convention Bureau (BCB). “It’s about sharing knowledge, building professional connections, and driving scientific and technological advancements within the broader context of the city’s economic development.”
To make this vision tangible, BCB has set up a dedicated Legacy Team, tasked with designing and delivering legacy projects in close collaboration with associations, local stakeholders, and civil society. The initiative’s early projects are focused on medical and health-related congresses—sectors where Barcelona is already strong. Among them, the ESGE Days 2025, organised by the European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, stands out as a blueprint for what the Legacy Program aims to achieve.
From Screening Data to Social Action
The ESGE Days 2025 Legacy Project, developed in partnership with the Spanish Association Against Cancer (AECC), focuses on a pressing yet often overlooked public health issue in Catalonia: low participation in colorectal cancer screening programmes among eligible populations.
Although Catalonia’s public health system offers free colorectal cancer screening for citizens aged 50 to 69, uptake remains worrying—particularly in certain neighbourhoods of Barcelona. The Legacy Committee, comprising representatives from ESGE, AECC, BCB, and other local partners identified this gap and set out to address it through targeted, community-based interventions.
In short, it’s all about creating a collaborative model that brings science, healthcare, and community actors together to drive change where it’s most needed, as a representative of AECC stated: “Such a project is more than just having an information desk or developing an action in the congress, this is a way to share what is discussed within the congress in terms of research and scientific knowledge, and to bring it to the community. And in terms of a social cause, for us as an NGO, it is very important because you can talk about how research affects people – in this case the screening of colon cancer.”
A Multi-Faceted, Community-Centred Approach
The ESGE Legacy Project comprised a series of actions targeting awareness, education, and inclusion. On March 29, an information stand was set up at Mercat del Besòs, a public market located in one of the neighbourhoods with the lowest screening participation rates. Volunteers from AECC and the local screening office distributed materials, explained how the test works, and encouraged community members to participate.
The project also included a youth outreach component, with a session on healthy habits on April 3 at a local high school. Led by ESGE’s Young Endoscopists Team, this interactive class aimed to instil preventative health knowledge in teenagers while introducing them to careers in healthcare. “We want the material to stay in the school and be reused,” the organisers noted, emphasising the long-term educational value.
Another striking feature is its inclusivity. A partnership with Assís, a local homeless centre, brought colorectal cancer screening information—and access to testing—directly to one of the city’s most marginalised populations. “This group is often left out simply because they don’t have a fixed address to receive the invitation letter,” one local organiser explained. “By working with a nearby pharmacy and support staff, we aimed to change that.”
Finally, the congress itself served as a platform for advocacy. A dedicated slot on ESGE’s Spotlight Stage was reserved for the AECC to discuss the 25th anniversary of the screening programme and the objectives of the legacy project.
Ian M. Gralnek, ESGE President, commented: “We were really happy to bring our 5,000 delegates to Barcelona. But we also wanted to leave something behind. So, we did a legacy project around colorectal cancer and colorectal cancer screening. We wanted to raise awareness within the public at large in the Barcelona area and the community, and try to leave a positive footprint when all of our delegates go back home.”
Evaluating Long-Term Impact
While many congress legacy efforts remain largely symbolic, the Barcelona Convention Bureau’s model aims for something more structured and measurable. According to BCB, the legacy process can begin at least 12 months before the event, aligning each project with local needs and stakeholders. With this in mind, they created a Legacy Handbook outlining the process, and a Legacy Committee can be established for each project, bringing together association leaders, local institutions, and community partners. The impact is then assessed at least a year after implementation, with a communication plan ensuring visibility.
With more than 500 congresses hosted annually, Barcelona’s potential to lead in legacy planning is significant. ESGE Days 2025 is just the beginning. Upcoming projects include collaborations with the World Stroke Congress and ECTRIMS, for the European MS conference, each with their own focus but underpinned by the same mission: to ensure that the city benefits not just economically, but socially and scientifically, from its role as a global congress hub.
For more information on how to organise an impacful congress in Barcelona, contact legacybcb@barcelonaturisme.com