Opengela is an urban regeneration project promoted by the Basque Government with the support of the European Union, based on the creation of neighborhood offices. The neighborhood offices accompany and advise the neighborhood throughout the process of rehabilitating their buildings, putting them at the center of the process.

The offices of Txonta (Eibar) and Otxarkoaga (Bilbao) accompany the neighbors during the works in their homes.

The works are focused on:

• Improving accessibility
• Improvement of energy efficiency

The neighbours and workers tell you about it in the Opengela Youtube account.

During the Opengela Replication Workshop that took place on September 27th, 2022. Participants could exchange with project partners and representatives of cities and regions who came to Bilbao in the frame of the Opengela replication programme.

This programme aims to present and explain how the Basque government and its partners have implemented the Opengela One-Stop-Shop. Opengela not only tackles building energy renovation but also urban regeneration, with specific attention given to vulnerable citizens. On Thursday 31st of March and Friday 1st of April 2022, seven municipalities and regions visited Bilbao and Eibar to see first-hand the pilot office running in the Otxarkoaga and Txonta neighbourhoods, respectively. Six months later, these replicators came to Brussels to share their takeaways from the Opengela model.

In the Replication workshop, all participants could thus hear from the replication cities and regions. What their experience was like, what aspects of Opengela most inspired them, and what the future hold for their areas. Paddy Phelan (South East Energy Agency), Nina Jurinic (Medjimurje Energy Agency), Daniel Muniz Dominguez (Housing of the Principality of Asturias), Maria Karagianni (Major Development Agency Thessaloniki), David McCourt (Co-operative Housing Ireland) on video, and Ewa Szulc (Mazovia Energy Agency) went on stage to share their organisation’s feedback.

In addition, all could exchange with each other during the 3 breakout sessions animated by Opengela partners. In the 1st session, Ibon Irazola, Debegesa and Txari Vallejo, VVMM Bilbao gave exclusive insights on how the 2 offices work, the relationship developed with the citizens directly impacted by the renovation, and also with other people from the neighbourhood.

In the 2nd session, Ignacio de la Puerta, Basque Government, could discuss how to involve other stakeholders, especially financial entities, but also trainers for the staff, and experienced workers to ensure the quality of the renovation.

In the 3rd session, Dominique Bourges, FEDARENE and Jose Ramon Lopez, Basque Energy Agency helped the groups to go beyond purely energy efficiency issues, but also include questions about accessibility and safety, also bringing cultural spaces and new businesses in the neighbourhoods, as well as mobility.

The afternoon concluded thanks to Seamus Hoyne, Tipperary Energy Agency, who reminded everyone that the best way to convince others to change is to start by ourselves. And for those who were convinced to start similar OSS systems, they remembered the presentation of Martin Eibl, from CINEA, the existing financial opportunities available are probably the first place to look at.

Presentations

Opengela: People-centric Urban Regeneration in the Basque Country, Ignacio de la Puerta Rueda, Basque Government.

How LIFE helps you with renovation of buildings in your area, Martin Eibl, CINEA.

Speakers’ presentation.

Opengela is exporting! Join the Opengela Replication Workshop to learn about the Basque One-Stop-Shop model and get inspired by the replication cities and regions that adapted this model to their needs.

Opengela is exporting! The Opengela home renovation service has grown in influence not only in the rest of the Basque Country, with new “district offices” in other municipalities but also in different European countries via its replication programme that started in September 2021.

In this programme, regions and cities in Europe could learn more about the Opengela model which not only tackles building energy renovation but also urban regeneration, with specific attention given to vulnerable citizens. On Thursday 31st of March and Friday 1st of April 2022, representatives from seven municipalities and regions visited Bilbao and Eibar to see first-hand the pilot office running in the Otxarkoaga and Txonta neighbourhoods, respectively.

Six months later, these municipalities and regions are invited to Brussels to share their first plans for implementing the relevant features of the Opengela model. What feature of this model is to be applied by the regions and cities that came to Bilbao in March 2022? What you can take away from the Opengela model for your own region or city? Join us on September 27th to know it all and exchange directly with the project partners and replication cities and regions. We will discuss how to set up a One-Stop-Shop, how to ensure the longevity and independence of OSS, and how to go beyond buildings to have an urban regeneration vision.

Draft Agenda

Also, you are cordially invited to stay at the same location for the Ceremony of the Roger Léron Award – 2022, taking place from 18:00 to 21:00 CEST.