ALC and Kutxa: supporting projects for a more sustainable Gipuzkoa
Since 2022, ALC has been working with Kutxa Fundazioa on the “Alliances for Eco-Social Challenges” initiative, a pioneering project that seeks to promote transformative projects addressing environmental sustainability and responsible consumption challenges. The initiative encourages collaboration between different actors, shared learning, and continuous adaptation, supporting projects that combine social innovation with technical rigor.
Winning projects for the 2022 edition
The 2022 call for proposals was the first edition and served as an experiment to explore new forms of collaboration between organizations, seeking projects that not only solved specific problems but also contributed to transforming systems, generating collective learning, and opening up new opportunities in Gipuzkoa.
HESIB: Hernani’s Sustainable and Self-Sufficient Food System
Coordinated by Zabalduz Koop in Hernani, HESIB works towards a sustainable, sovereign, and fair food system. Among its achievements:
- Creation of a central kitchen and a processing center for local products.
- Zero-mile logistics services to bring products closer to citizens.
- Inclusion of vulnerable people through job placement.
- Collaboration with the Provincial Council of Gipuzkoa and exploration of opportunities such as school canteens serving local produce.
Mikroklima: Micro-Wetlands in Response to the Climate Crisis
Led by Aranzadi Zientzia Elkartea, Mikroklima has launched a network of micro-wetlands to regenerate ecosystems and adapt to climate change. Among its achievements:
- Discovery of species not previously documented in the Basque Country.
- Implementation of the “Urmael Bizia” teaching unit in schools.
- Collaboration with universities and youth centers to strengthen the educational dimension.
- Citizen participation to build trust and shared learning.
Winning projects of the second edition
In its second edition, ALC and Kutxa Fundazioa (Kutxa Foundation) continued to support new alliances that seek to address social challenges through collaboration and innovation:
“Lan duina, zaintza duina”
Led by SOS Racismo Gipuzkoa, it works to integrate the actions of different entities and administrations in disadvantaged neighborhoods, exploring new forms of multilevel governance and involving citizens in a co-responsible manner.
“Inklusiorako tresnak… eta hamaika arrazoi gehiago!”
Led by DEBEGESA, it seeks to expand and enrich opportunities for people in situations of greater socioeconomic disadvantage, developing intervention models that promote the Basque language as a positive tool.
“Parte-hartzea bultzatuz. Gazteekin bat!”
Coordinated by Sorginlore Gizarte Elkartea, it promotes socio-political participation and the emancipation of vulnerable young people through three complementary lines of action.
Third edition
The third edition of the call for proposals, which is currently underway, focuses on two strategic challenges: accelerating a fair ecological transition and reducing inequalities in Gipuzkoa. In this edition, the projects seek to generate innovative solutions that improve sustainable mobility and logistics, renaturalize urban spaces, and promote more livable, inclusive cities that are in touch with nature.
The three projects funded are:
“BiArtEko Mugi: Biodiversity, Art, and Ecology in Movement”
Led by Aranzadi Zientzia Elkartea.
“ARIMA-BIZI Experimental proposal”
Coordinated by Gizabidea Fundazioa.
“EKOLOGIN – Sustainable and Inclusive Logistics in Gipuzkoa"
Coordinated by the Basque Country Mobility and Logistics Cluster Association.
ALC supports these initiatives, promoting collaboration between the various stakeholders involved and encouraging shared learning, with the aim of ensuring that these alliances generate a real and sustainable impact in the region.