The European Opengela project concludes with a new urban regeneration model that is already being applied in 10 neighbourhoods and will be extended to another 14

The European Opengela project concludes with a new urban regeneration model that is already being applied in 10 neighbourhoods and will be extended to another 14

The Opengela delegation in Brussels together with Martin Eibl, Senior Project Advisor at CINEA.

  • In three and a half years, it has set up neighbourhood offices in Otxarkoaga (Bilbao) and Txonta (Eibar) and in Durango, Lasarte, Pasaia, Abanto-Zierbena, Santurtzi, Valle de Trápaga, Orduña and Amurrio. 
  • The ‘opengelas’ of the two pilots accompany nearly 800 people in the refurbishment of their buildings. So far it has led to an average energy saving per dwelling of more than 60%, an investment in sustainable energy of 9.6 million euros, a saving in CO2 emissions of 758 t/year, as well as mobilising private investment of 3.2 million euros.

After three and a half years of work, the Opengela project concludes with its main objective fulfilled: to establish a new model of urban regeneration that is already being applied in 10 neighbourhoods in the Basque Country and which plans to be extended to another 14. The project, financed by the European Horizon 2020 programme, presented its main conclusions yesterday, 17 November, in Brussels, at an event held at the Committee of the Regions.

The conference entitled ‘The power of One-Stop-Shops’ was attended by the delegate of the Basque Government in Brussels, Marta Marín, as well as the director of Territorial Planning and Urban Agenda, Ignacio de la Puerta, who heads the project consortium. Txari Vallejo (Bilbao Municipal Housing) and Ibon Irazola (Debegesa) also took part to explain the development of the two pilot projects in the Otxarkoaga (Bilbao) and Txonta (Eibar) neighbourhoods.

The European Opengela project is coming to an end, having achieved the objectives proposed at its beginning and -above all- responding to one of the most important requirements that the European Commission asks of the projects it finances: to ensure their continuity over time with the creation of a solid and replicable model.

During the time the project has lasted, the neighbourhood offices of the two pilot projects have assisted a total of 780 people who, thanks to the support of technical and administrative staff, have started up renovation processes in their buildings, reaching a total of 469 dwellings. The renovation interventions have achieved clear improvements in the quality of life of the residents. On the one hand, actions have been carried out in the facilities to improve accessibility (installation of lifts, refurbishment of doorways), or the installation of fire safety systems. On the other hand, energy improvements have been made (façade insulation, installation of boilers, replacement of windows, etc.) which have had a direct impact on the substantial improvement in the quality and comfort conditions of the dwellings, identified by a significant improvement in indoor air quality.

These improvements translate into an investment in sustainable energy of 9.6 million euros, a saving in energy demand of more than 3.9 GWh/year, a reduction in CO2 emissions of 758 tCO2/year, as well as mobilising private investment of 3.2 million euros.

On the other hand, the project has facilitated funding through a specific system of the Opengela model, aimed primarily at serving people at risk of vulnerability. To this end, two-year credit lines have been created to finance public aid, financing has been facilitated for homeowners’ associations, and the age limit for access to financing has been extended to 70 years of age (the average age of the people assisted is over 58), among other measures.

A scalable and replicable project

As Ignacio de la Puerta explained, the experience gained with the Opengela project, in addition to improving the quality of life of residents, «has enabled the development of a new management model that can be extended to the rest of the Basque Country with the objectives of reducing the risk of energy poverty among citizens, creating zero energy balance and friendly neighbourhoods with universal accessibility in the building stock and in urban environments and that can become carbon sinks in a significant contribution to mitigating and adapting to the effects of climate change».

The success of this formula has led to its extension to other municipalities such as Lasarte (Basaundi Bailara) and Durango (Aramotz), as well as others such as Pasaia (Andonaegi), Abanto-Zierbena (Las Peñucas), Santurtzi (Aurora Vildósola), Valle de Trápaga (San Andrés neighbourhood), Orduña (in the Dolores Madaria and Landata neighbourhoods) and in Amurrio (Goikolarra).

In addition, there are another 14 neighbourhoods in the Basque Country that are in the early stages of implementation. In Alava, work will be carried out in the Zaramaga neighbourhood in Vitoria-Gasteiz, in Bizkaia in three neighbourhoods in Bilbao (Párroco Unzeta, Torre Urizar and Uretamendi), in Bermeo (Iparragirre and Txibitxiaga) and in Sestao (Vista Alegre); and in Gipuzkoa in Arrasate (Santa Teresa neighbourhood), San Sebastian (Altza), Eibar (Hijos de Gabilondo), Elgoibar (Sigma housing), Errenteria (Beraun), Leaburu (Txarama), Soraluze (Ezozia) and Irun.

At the European level, in addition to having shared experiences with many other «One-Stop-Shops» in France (Picardie-Pass and Île-de-France énergies), Ireland (Tipperary-SuperHomes), Italy (Sharing Cities – Milan) and Austria (RecoBooster – Vienna), it has also generated interest in other places to implement this model of urban regeneration. This is the case of two regions in Croatia (on the one hand, Medjimurje, and on the other, the counties of Varazdin, Koprivnica-Krizevci and Virovitica-Podravina), one in Poland (Mazovia), one in Greece (Thessaloniki), as well as Extremadura and Asturias, and an Irish entity implemented in three counties (Carlow, Kilkenny and Wexford). All of them have visited the pilot neighbourhoods of Opengela with the idea of replicating the model.

During the session, there was also space to listen to other cases of good practice, such as AGREE (a project also led by the Basque Government), ComAct (an urban regeneration project implemented in several Eastern European countries) and Renowatt (a project implemented in the Belgian region of Wallonia). In the second part of the day, Julien Dijol (from the European Association for Social Housing, Housing Europe, also a partner of Opengela) and Amélie Ancelle (from Energy-Cities, the European grouping of cities for sustainable energy) took part. 

Example of public-private collaboration

The European Opengela project started in May 2019 and is an example of public-private collaboration. In addition to the Basque Government, there are other public entities in the consortium, such as the Basque Energy Agency (EVE), Bilbao Municipal Housing and Debegesa, as well as two European-level bodies (FEDARENE and Housing Europe) and firms specialising in financing (GNE Finance), communication (Gabineteseis) and European affairs (Zabala).

Bandera de la Unión Europa

This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 846707.

Otxar Opengela

Address: Avenida Pau Casals, No. 16, Otxarkoaga, Bilbao (In front of Plaza Kepa Enbeita)

Telephone: 946 85 19 32

E-mail: otxaropengela@vvmm.bilbao.eus

Txonta Opengela

Address: Calle Txonta No. 3, ground floor, Eibar

Telephone: 688 77 97 37

E-mail: txontabulegoa@eibar.eus

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The Opengela project presents its conclusions on the implementation of a new model of urban regeneration in Brussels tomorrow

The Opengela project presents its conclusions on the implementation of a new model of urban regeneration in Brussels tomorrow

  • This European project funded by the Horizon 2020 programme began three and a half years ago with two pilot experiences in the neighbourhoods of Otxarkoaga (Bilbao) and Txonta (Eibar). 
  • The creation of neighbourhood offices, which accompany the neighbourhood in the process of rehabilitating their buildings, has been successfully implemented and is already spreading to other Basque municipalities.

The Opengela project is coming to an end. Funded by the European Horizon 2020 programme, it has promoted a new model of urban regeneration for three and a half years. Tomorrow it will present its main conclusions in Brussels at an event to be held at the Committee of the Regions. 

Under the title ‘The power of One-Stop Shops’, the main advances of this new model of urban regeneration will be presented, which is based on neighbourhood offices that support the neighbourhood throughout the process of rehabilitating their buildings.

Two neighbourhoods have been used as pilot projects: Otxarkoaga (Bilbao) and Txonta (Eibar). And after three and a half years, the success of this formula has led to its extension to other municipalities such as Lasarte (Basaundi Bailara) and Durango (Aramotz), as well as others such as Pasaia (Andonaegi), Abanto-Zierbena (Las Peñucas), Santurtzi (Aurora Vildósola), Valle de Trápaga (San Andrés neighbourhood), Orduña (in the Dolores Madaria and Landata neighbourhoods) and in Amurrio (Goikolarra).

In addition, there are another 14 neighbourhoods in the Basque Country that are in the early stages of implementation. In Alava, work will be carried out in the Zaramaga neighbourhood in Vitoria-Gasteiz, in Bizkaia in three neighbourhoods in Bilbao (Párroco Unzeta, Torre Urizar and Uretamendi), in Bermeo (Iparragirre and Txibitxiaga) and Sestao (Vista Alegre); and in Gipuzkoa in Arrasate (Santa Teresa neighbourhood), San Sebastian (Altza), Eibar (Hijos de Gabilondo), Elgoibar (Sigma housing), Errenteria (Beraun), Leaburu (Txarama), Soraluze (Ezozia) and Irun.

At the European level, in addition to having shared experiences with many other «One-Stop-Shops» in France (Picardie-Pass and Île-de-France énergies), Ireland (Tipperary-SuperHomes), Italy (Sharing Cities – Milan) and Austria (RecoBooster – Vienna), it has also generated interest in other places to implement this model of urban regeneration. This is the case of two regions in Croatia (on the one hand, Medjimurje, and on the other, the counties of Varazdin, Koprivnica-Krizevci and Virovitica-Podravina), one in Poland (Mazovia), one in Greece (Thessaloniki), as well as Extremadura and Asturias, and an Irish entity implemented in three counties (Carlow, Kilkenny and Wexford). All of them have visited the pilot neighbourhoods of Opengela with the idea of replicating the model.

Tomorrow, the delegate of the Basque Government in Brussels, Marta Marín, will speak, as well as the director of Territorial Planning and Urban Agenda, Ignacio de la Puerta, who heads the project consortium. In addition, Txari Vallejo (Bilbao Municipal Housing) and Ibon Irazola (Debegesa) will participate to explain the development of the two pilots.

There will also be time to listen to other cases of good practice, such as AGREE (a project also led by the Basque Government), ComAct and Renowatt. In the second part of the day, Julien Dijol and Sorcha Edwards (Housing Europe), Amélie Ancelle (Energy-Cities) and Martin Eibl (CINEA-European Commission) will speak.

From May 2019

The European Opengela project started in May 2019 and is an example of public-private collaboration. In addition to the Basque Government, there are other public entities in the consortium, such as the Basque Energy Agency (EVE), Bilbao Municipal Housing and Debegesa, as well as two European-level bodies (FEDARENE and Housing Europe) and firms specialising in financing (GNE Finance), communication (Gabineteseis) and European affairs (Zabala).

Bandera de la Unión Europa

This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 846707.

Otxar Opengela

Address: Avenida Pau Casals, No. 16, Otxarkoaga, Bilbao (In front of Plaza Kepa Enbeita)

Telephone: 946 85 19 32

E-mail: otxaropengela@vvmm.bilbao.eus

Txonta Opengela

Address: Calle Txonta No. 3, ground floor, Eibar

Telephone: 688 77 97 37

E-mail: txontabulegoa@eibar.eus

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The Basque Government will invest 101 million euros in urban, environmental, social and economic regeneration of 14 vulnerable neighborhoods in Euskadi

The Basque Government will invest 101 million euros in urban, environmental, social and economic regeneration of 14 vulnerable neighborhoods in Euskadi

  • They will have neighborhood offices, following the European Opengela model project.
  • The Territorial Planning Department will provide 93 million euros to expand the urban regeneration program for neighborhoods. After adding these new projects will reach a total of 21 municipalities. 
  • The Labor and Employment Department will allocate eight million euros to promote training and employment in these same neighborhoods.

The Basque Government will act in 14 vulnerable neighborhoods in the Basque Country to address their integral regeneration from an urban, environmental, social and economic perspective. The Basque Government’s Heads of Labor and Employment, the Vice President of the Basque Government, Idoia Mendia, and Territorial Planning, Iñaki Arriola, met today with the city councils where these neighborhoods are located in order to address the plans with which they will simultaneously promote the energy transition, the improvement of the habitability of buildings and housing, as well as the promotion of the labor insertion of its inhabitants. The aim of the interventions is that the advances in the fight against climate change and the new social challenges reach all people in the Basque Country, regardless of where they live and the resources they have. 

The new neighborhoods will have neighborhood offices, following the European Opengela model project, where people will be able to go for help and consult on housing reform actions in terms of accessibility, habitability or energy efficiency. In some of the neighborhoods, the project incorporates the rehabilitation of public buildings to generate facilities for the neighborhood. In Alava work will be done in the Zaramaga neighborhood in Vitoria, in Bizkaia in three neighborhoods in Bilbao (Párroco Unzeta, Torre Urizar and Uretamendi), in Bermeo (Iparragirre and Txibitxiaga) and in Sestao (Vista Alegre); and in Gipuzkoa in Arrasate (Santa Teresa neighborhood), San Sebastian (Altza), Eibar (Hijos de Gabilondo), Elgoibar (Sigma housing), Errenteria (Beraun), Leaburu (Txarama), Soraluze (Ezozia) and Irun. 

These actions are part of the Inter-institutional Strategic Investment Plan (PIIE) approved by the Regional Executive and the three Provincial Councils for the 2022-2024 time period. In this context, the integral urban regeneration of vulnerable neighborhoods is considered a priority, a plan on which the Basque Government has been working for more than six years and which, by adding these 14 neighborhoods in twelve localities, reaches a total of 21 municipalities. To address the actions in these localities, 101 million Euros will be allocated, eight by Labor and Employment and 93 by Territorial Planning.

Idoia Mendia, the Vice President of the Basque Government, highlighted the value of this «new program, different from others that we are promoting, but which has a common characteristic with all the others, the alignment between the different fields of government, in this case two departments of the Basque Government and the city councils«. She assured that it provides «new answers to new situations, in this case to the challenge of energy transition and urban transformation, which is also a social transformation«, in addition to offering opportunities for people with employment difficulties, for companies looking for suitable profiles, and for municipalities that want a friendly and sustainable environment for their neighbors.

The Labor and Employment Department, with an initial budget of eight million euros, will be responsible for the training, recruitment, guidance and accompaniment of 167 people available for employment and adapted to the new requirements of the construction sector. This experience will be open to job seekers in each municipality, but with priority to people receiving income guarantee rent or minimum vital income who reside within a radius of 50 kilometers of the municipalities participating in the project, and who are long-term unemployed. 

In particular, they will receive specific training for two months, during which they will continue to receive their guaranteed income entitlement as appropriate, and will then have a 10-month training contract in alternation, under the terms of the latest labor legislation. The alternating training contract will devote 35% of its duration to training and 65% to employment. The minimum remuneration to be received will be 75% of the total gross salary. In addition, during the whole process, they will have guidance, accompaniment, counseling and professional information for the search of employment.

The Territorial Planning Councilor, Iñaki Arriola, has indicated that «according to the characteristics of the projects presented, around 1.700 families will be able to receive subsidies of between 70% and 100% in the most vulnerable cases, with the objective that all of them will have an opportunity to face the decarbonization of their homes and improve their life quality, with more habitable homes and urban environments adapted to the new social and environmental challenges. These measures also combat inequality and promote greater social cohesion in our towns and cities«. 

Neighborhood by neighborhood

Arrasate will promote the regeneration of the Santa Teresa neighborhood by improving building envelopes, heating systems and accessibility, including elevators in both buildings and public spaces. In addition, photovoltaic panels will be installed, advancing in the constitution of shared self-consumption communities, and equipment will be implemented in the urban environment to promote electromobility. Territorial Planning will contribute 7.37 million euros to the project and it is estimated that 96 homes will benefit from the project. 

Bermeo will act on Iparragirre and Txibitxiaga group, where work will be done on buildings and homes to ease accessibility problems and promote energy rehabilitation. These works are expected to reach 90 dwellings. In addition, urban renewal will be addressed in the area of Kurtzio, Zarragoitxi, Itxasbegi and Iparragirre, an area declared as a degraded zone, where streets will be redeveloped, accessibility improvements will be made and a sustainable drainage system will be built, among other issues. Territorial Planning will provide 5.84 million euros to promote the project. 

Bilbao will act in Párroco Unzeta in Santutxu, in the Torre Urizar group, a complex with a marked cultural and historical character in the neighborhood of Irala, and in Uretamendi with the implementation of a proximity office. In total, Territorial Planning will invest 16.53 million euros in these three neighborhoods of the capital of Biscay. The forecast points to rehabilitations in 399 homes.

Eibar will convert the Hijos de Gabilondo factory-house into an equipment building. New green spaces, pedestrian areas and improved lighting will be created in the surrounding area. This is a commitment to enhance the value of the industrial heritage while at the same time promoting urban regeneration, with an investment of 4.98 million euros by Territorial Planning. 

Elgoibar will address improvements in the Sigma housing district, promoted in the 1960s by the company of the same name, for its workers. It will incorporate renewable energies, accessibility actions -with an elevator outside a house and another inside- and the construction of balconies, as well as boosting the environment by renewing the lighting and rehabilitating parks or creating traffic calming areas.  The Territorial Planning budget is 3.27 million euros and improvements are planned for 72 homes. 

Errenteria will promote urban regeneration and the improvement of energy efficiency of housing in Beraun, where the proximity office will be installed to accompany the communities in the rehabilitation processes. It will also address the improvement of accessibility and the creation of energy communities for self-consumption. In public spaces, progress will be made in terms of accessibility, sustainable mobility and safe areas for pedestrians. This pilot experience will have an investment of 3.25 million euros from Territorial Planning and is expected to reach 102 homes.  

Irún, as part of the Vía Irun urban and railway regeneration project, is going to remodel the old Customs building into the core of its innovative urban district. It is a group of old warehouses and a head building that will be a public facility and for which accessibility and energy rehabilitation -wind energy, renewable energies- need to be promoted. This project will receive 4.98 million euros from the Territorial Planning area.

Leaburu will activate the eco-sustainable rehabilitation of buildings and homes that may be deteriorated in the Txarama neighborhood, in order to improve the habitability of these communities. It will also carry out an urban intervention to calm traffic and a second one to restore the road network and recover the riversides and fluvial margins. With 1.5 million euros from Territorial Planning, the actions in the residential buildings are expected to benefit 78 families. 

San Sebastián will address the first phase of the urban transformation of the Altza neighborhood. It will improve the energy efficiency of the buildings by acting on the facades and incorporating photovoltaic panels -with a pilot project for an energy community-. These will be complemented by redevelopment, accessibility and green infrastructure interventions in which the squares will be renaturalized. A sustainable drainage system will also be incorporated and contaminated soils will be reclaimed. Territorial Planning will allocate 9.46 million euros to this project, which is expected to reach 124 homes. 

Sestao will act on the Vista Alegre neighborhood by improving the energy efficiency of its buildings -envelopes with more advanced insulation, renewable energy production- and its accessibility. It will also promote the urbanization of its surroundings, with improvements in lighting and parks, incorporating new pedestrian areas, creating sustainable drainage systems and energy facilities on a neighborhood scale. There are 4.39 million euros from the Territorial Planning area to reach 110 homes. 

Soraluze-Placencia de las Armas will work in the Ezozia neighborhood with the integral rehabilitation of buildings, actions for the placement of elevators, the recovery of a space of former industrial use covered to be used by the citizens next to the river (Sapa). The public space will also be improved by improving lighting and pedestrianizing streets. The Territorial Planning investment amounts to 5.84 million euros and it is planned to support improvements in 132 homes. 

Vitoria-Gasteiz will regenerate the Zaramaga neighborhood through energy efficient renovations of the building stock (façade envelopes, efficient heating systems, etc.), improved accessibility (elevators), increased green infrastructure and the first phase of the installation of a waste heat network. Bicycle pathways and pedestrian areas will be improved and electric vehicle charging points will be installed. It is also proposed to create an accommodation and day care center for the elderly and the opening of a care center and a coworking facility. In addition, actions will be carried out to promote the installation of photovoltaic panels on municipal roofs and pergolas in public spaces for partial transfer to housing. The project will receive 25.59 million euros from Territorial Planning, and requires the participation of the neighbors to be able to intervene in around 500 homes. 

Third phase for the extension of the integral urban regeneration plan for vulnerable neighborhoods in Euskadi

These 14 neighborhoods join those already working to make integral urban regeneration of vulnerable neighborhoods a reality in the Basque Country. The project began six years ago with the creation of pilot programs in Txonta (Eibar) and Otxarkoaga (Bilbao), where neighborhood offices, known as opengelas, were installed thanks to European funds. 

After the good reception of these first initiatives, other neighborhoods have joined: Aramotz in Durango, Basaundi-Bailara in Lasarte-Oria, and Andonaegi in Pasaia. In recent months, other neighborhoods have joined the plan, such as Peñucas (Abanto-Zierbena), La Florida (Portugalete), San Andrés (Valle de Trápaga), Aurora Vildosola (Santurtzi), Landata and Dolores Madaria (Orduña) and Goikolarra (Amurrio). 

Bandera de la Unión Europa

This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 846707.

Otxar Opengela

Address: Avenida Pau Casals, No. 16, Otxarkoaga, Bilbao (In front of Plaza Kepa Enbeita)

Telephone: 946 85 19 32

E-mail: otxaropengela@vvmm.bilbao.eus

Txonta Opengela

Address: Calle Txonta No. 3, ground floor, Eibar

Telephone: 688 77 97 37

E-mail: txontabulegoa@eibar.eus

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The power of One-Stop-Shops, an Opengela final conference

The power of One-Stop-Shops, an Opengela final conference

Home renovation is a journey that many homeowners dread to take. Nevertheless, Europe’s energy crisis urges us to take action immediately. Opengela, like other One-Stop-Shop programmes, has proved to its population that renovation can be for anyone and everyone, thus contributing to the regeneration of the neighbourhoods of Otxarkoaga, Bilbao, and Txonta, in Eibar, inspiring more cities and regions to follow.

Like all good things, Opengela, as a project, has ended. It is time to draw conclusions and reflect on the results and what has been accomplished, and Opengela has a lot to show.

Whether a long-time fan or a neophyte, the Opengela team is eager to share its results with you on November 17th, 2022. See you in Brussels to discuss how to improve OSS and (re)discover other examples of Integrated Homes Renovation Services in Europe.

Draft Agenda

14:00 – 14:15
Welcoming by María Ángeles Elorza Zubiria, Basque Committee of the Regions member (TBC)

14:15 – 15:00
Final results of Opengela
Ignacio de la Puerta, Basque Government
Txari Vallejo, VVMM Bilbao
Ibon Irazola, Debegesa

15:00 – 15:45
Good practices of one-stop-shops across Europe

15:45 – 16:00
Coffee break

16:00 – 16:55
How to improve one-stop-shops in the EU?
Moderated by Julien Dijol, Policy Director at Housing Europe

16:55 – 17:00
Closing remarks

Registration

Registration for the Renovation Summit is open. Book your seat here.

Bandera de la Unión Europa

This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 846707.

Otxar Opengela

Address: Avenida Pau Casals, No. 16, Otxarkoaga, Bilbao (In front of Plaza Kepa Enbeita)

Telephone: 946 85 19 32

E-mail: otxaropengela@vvmm.bilbao.eus

Txonta Opengela

Address: Calle Txonta No. 3, ground floor, Eibar

Telephone: 688 77 97 37

E-mail: txontabulegoa@eibar.eus

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VIDEO | Opengela accompanies the neighbourhood during the works in their homes

VIDEO | Opengela accompanies the neighbourhood during the works in their homes

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.

Otxar Opengela, located in Otxarkoaga neighbourhood in Bilbao.

In Otxarkoaga, work is done on five buildings encompassing 16 house numbers with a total of 240 homes. The office that houses the one-stop-shop is set up in the former nursery of the BBK.

Other courses of action will also be undertaken from there, such as the refurbishment of the old shopping centre and the launch of business initiatives in premises which are currently empty.

Txonta Opengela, located in Eibar.

In the neighbourhood of Txonta, in Eibar, the pilot Project  works on a total of 221 homes in 17 house numbers. The renovation will follow current standards of energy efficiency and accessibility.

The neighbourhood office is on the ground floor and is actually in Txontxa street.

Bandera de la Unión Europa

This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 846707.

Otxar Opengela

Address: Avenida Pau Casals, No. 16, Otxarkoaga, Bilbao (In front of Plaza Kepa Enbeita)

Telephone: 946 85 19 32

E-mail: otxaropengela@vvmm.bilbao.eus

Txonta Opengela

Address: Calle Txonta No. 3, ground floor, Eibar

Telephone: 688 77 97 37

E-mail: txontabulegoa@eibar.eus

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All there is to know about Opengela, the Basque One-Stop-Shop

All there is to know about Opengela, the Basque One-Stop-Shop

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.

 

Bandera de la Unión Europa

This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 846707.

Otxar Opengela

Address: Avenida Pau Casals, No. 16, Otxarkoaga, Bilbao (In front of Plaza Kepa Enbeita)

Telephone: 946 85 19 32

E-mail: otxaropengela@vvmm.bilbao.eus

Txonta Opengela

Address: Calle Txonta No. 3, ground floor, Eibar

Telephone: 688 77 97 37

E-mail: txontabulegoa@eibar.eus

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Opengela Replication workshop: let’s share the lessons learnt

Opengela Replication workshop: let’s share the lessons learnt

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

TimeTopicSpeaker
14:00Welcome and agendaJose Ramon Lopez, Basque Energy Agency
14:05Introduction of OpengelaIgnacio de la Puerta, Basque Government
14:15Integrated Home Renovation Services, needed more than ever in light of the EPBD RecastChristophe Milin (TBC)
14:30Replication regions’ and cities’ pitchTBC
15:10Coffee break 
15:25Breakout session:
– Setting up a One-Stop-Shop
– Independence of OSS, how to ensure longevity
– Beyond buildings, OSS for urban regeneration
Each session is animated by the Opengela Partners
16:55Closing remarks 

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.

Bandera de la Unión Europa

This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 846707.

Otxar Opengela

Address: Avenida Pau Casals, No. 16, Otxarkoaga, Bilbao (In front of Plaza Kepa Enbeita)

Telephone: 946 85 19 32

E-mail: otxaropengela@vvmm.bilbao.eus

Txonta Opengela

Address: Calle Txonta No. 3, ground floor, Eibar

Telephone: 688 77 97 37

E-mail: txontabulegoa@eibar.eus

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The neighbourhoods of the Opengela project will be the first in Spain to receive aid from the Next Generation funds

The neighbourhoods of the Opengela project will be the first in Spain to receive aid from the Next Generation funds

Refurbished building in Txonta (Eibar)

The Spanish Government is providing the Basque Country with 16.7 million euros to reinforce urban regeneration in Otxarkoaga, Txonta, as well as in Aramotz (Durango) and Basaundi Bailara (Lasarte-Oria). The European aid will make it possible to increase the subsidy received by each owner to alleviate their contribution to the payment of the projected works.   

The Basque Government announced today that the Basque Country is the first autonomous community in Spain to receive the initial batch of Next Generation European Funds related to urban regeneration, which form part of the Recovery Plan to repair the economic and social damage caused by the pandemic. The Government of Spain has delivered 16.7 million euros that will go to the four neighbourhoods that have their projects underway as part of the Opengela project.  

«The Basque Country is the first Spanish community to receive this aid for having advanced projects in this area,» explained the Department of Territorial Planning, Housing and Transport. This refers to the urban regeneration initiatives in the neighbourhoods of Otxarkoaga (Bilbao), Txonta (Eibar), Aramotz (Durango) and Basaundi Bailara (Lasarte-Oria), whose distribution of funds has already been established and which will now begin the administrative process to access them.  

The first two neighbourhoods started the European Opengela project in May 2019, as pilots. Durango and Lasarte-Oria are subsequently replicating the model and it is hoped that in the future it will be extended to other Basque cities, and also in Europe.   

The 16.7 million received will be used to increase the direct subsidies granted to the four local councils to finance the integral urban regeneration projects in vulnerable neighbourhoods, which are already underway and aim to improve the quality of life of a total of more than 1,500 people and 740 dwellings spread over 65 house numbers. 

The aim of these projects is not only to improve accessibility and energy efficiency with the refurbishment of residential buildings and the redevelopment of the whole area, but also to address their social situation, through technical offices and neighbourhood proximity offices to provide information, manage works and aid and promote local training and employment plans to boost their economic reactivation.  

Specifically, the investment from the European funds will be used to improve the energy efficiency of the homes and buildings to be refurbished, which should achieve a reduction in non-renewable primary energy consumption of more than 45% in some cases and 60% in general depending on the case. 

Otxarkoaga (Bilbao) 

The regeneration project of the Otxarkoaga neighbourhood in Bilbao, which affects 240 dwellings spread over 16 house numbers (five blocks), will add 6.56 million euros to the 3.55 million euros provided by the Basque Government and 997,139 euros from the City Council. Private individuals are investing 1.17 million. The integral action of this project consists of, in addition to the aforementioned actions, the extension of housing in three of the portals, the recovery of a commercial building to house socio-cultural activities and the installation of photovoltaic panels on its roof, and the constitution of a community of shared energy self-consumption. 

Txonta (Eibar) 

In addition to the 1.8 million euro grant from the Basque Government to Eibar Town Council – which in turn is providing a further 2.45 million euro – 2.15 million euro from the Next Funds have been added for the Txonta rehabilitation project, which will benefit 75 homes spread over 16 house numbersenergy-savingenergy-saving, and which stands out for the construction of a public lift to improve accessibility and the demolition of obsolete industrial ruins, which involves the redevelopment of the space. The owners will contribute 734,868 euros for the intervention. It should be borne in mind that, although the Txonta project covers 221 homes, the Next Funds are limited to 75 of them as they are the ones that meet the project start dates or the energy saving percentages established in Royal Decree 853/2021. 

Aramotz (Durango) 

The project for the regeneration of the Aramotz neighbourhood in Durango, which involves 128 dwellings spread over 16 house numberss, will receive an additional 3.66 million euros for its refurbishment from European funds, which will be added to the 3.4 million euro subsidy from the Basque Country and 1.08 million euros from the municipality itself. The owners, for their part, will invest 2.86 million euros. Its urban regeneration has the peculiarity of including the diversion of a channelled stream, which runs unburied in the inner area of the residential buildings. 

Basaundi Bailara (Lasarte-Oria) 

The regeneration project for the Basaundi Bailara neighbourhood in Lasarte-Oria will add 4.38 million euros to the 3.3 million euro grant awarded by the Basque Government, which covers 151 dwellings spread over 16 portals, and includes urban development work and refurbishment of residential buildings with improvements in accessibility and energy efficiency. The City Council will invest 1.93 million and the owners 3.33 million. 

Bandera de la Unión Europa

This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 846707.

Otxar Opengela

Address: Avenida Pau Casals, No. 16, Otxarkoaga, Bilbao (In front of Plaza Kepa Enbeita)

Telephone: 946 85 19 32

E-mail: otxaropengela@vvmm.bilbao.eus

Txonta Opengela

Address: Calle Txonta No. 3, ground floor, Eibar

Telephone: 688 77 97 37

E-mail: txontabulegoa@eibar.eus

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The Office of the Historian of the City of Havana is interested in the Opengela urban regeneration programme

The Office of the Historian of the City of Havana is interested in the Opengela urban regeneration programme

  • The deputy councillor Miguel de los Toyos and the councillor Jon Bilbao accompany the officials of the Cuban organisation on their visit to the Otxarkoaga neighbourhood and its Opengela office.

The Deputy Minister for Territorial Planning and Urban Agenda of the Basque Government, Miguel de los Toyos, and the Councillor for Housing of the Bilbao City Council and President of the Bilbao Municipal Housing Association, Jon Bilbao, accompanied the heads of the Office of the Historian of Havana this morning on their visit to Otxarkoaga and its neighbourhood office (Otxar Opengela): Perla Rosales, Deputy Director General; Nelys García, director of International Cooperation; Anabell Cedeño, technical specialist of the International Cooperation Directorate; Malena Roche, director of Habana Espacios Creativos; and Ariam L. Mayor, senior specialist at Habana Espacios Creativos. The visit was also attended by the Director of Territorial Planning and Urban Agenda of the Basque Government, Ignacio de la Puerta, and the Director General of Municipal Housing of Bilbao, Eider Bilbao.

The Office of the Historian of the City of Havana, founded in 1938 by Emilio Roig for the protection of the cultural heritage of Old Havana, has carried out the rehabilitation of many buildings in the historic centre of the city. It had its heyday in the 1980s with historian Eusebio Leal at the helm, the first project for the restoration of the entire area and the declaration by UNESCO of the Historic Centre of Havana and its system of fortifications as a World Heritage Site in 1982. He is currently in the process of extending this type of project to other areas, not only in the Cuban capital, but in the whole of the Caribbean country.

Today’s meeting, requested by this Cuban body, was therefore a meeting and exchange of ideas between the latter and those responsible for the Opengela urban regeneration programme, coordinated by the Department of Territorial Planning, Housing and Transport of the Basque Government and involving 9 public and private organisations, including Bilbao Municipal Housing.

The Opengela project, which is funded by the European Commission’s Horizon 2020 programme, consists of setting up neighbourhood offices that accompany the neighbourhood throughout the process of refurbishing their buildings, offering support to homeowners’ associations in contracting works, managing public aid, accessing financing, improving energy efficiency and accessibility.

This programme is linked to the integral urban regeneration projects in vulnerable neighbourhoods, through which the aim is not only to improve accessibility and energy efficiency with the rehabilitation of residential buildings and the redevelopment of the entire environment, but also to address their social situation (low income, high unemployment and low level of education), through these technical offices and neighbourhood proximity.

The place chosen for the meeting was the Otxarkoaga neighbourhood, whose urban regeneration and building rehabilitation project, known as Orain Otxar, for 240 homes spread over 16 doorways and three streets in the neighbourhood (Irumineta, Txotena and Larrakoetxe) is well underway and its neighbourhood office Otxar Opengela is hosting a multitude of actions to accompany and support residents and other initiatives such as the remodelling of the old shopping centre and the launch of entrepreneurial initiatives in premises that are now empty.

Opengela, whose European project will end in January 2023, has generated a management model for neighbourhood offices that is already beginning to be deployed in other municipalities, beyond the two pilots in Otxarkoaga and Eibar. Specifically, in Lasarte and Durango, as well as in Pasaia, Abanto-Zierbena, Santurtzi and Valle de Trápaga.

Bandera de la Unión Europa

This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 846707.

Otxar Opengela

Address: Avenida Pau Casals, No. 16, Otxarkoaga, Bilbao (In front of Plaza Kepa Enbeita)

Telephone: 946 85 19 32

E-mail: otxaropengela@vvmm.bilbao.eus

Txonta Opengela

Address: Calle Txonta No. 3, ground floor, Eibar

Telephone: 688 77 97 37

E-mail: txontabulegoa@eibar.eus

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Webinar: Deep Retrofit Community of Practice: Highly ambitious regions and projects across Europe

Webinar: Deep Retrofit Community of Practice: Highly ambitious regions and projects across Europe

Date: Thursday 2nd of June 2022 from 10:00 am to 12:30 pm CEST
 
This online seminar brings together ambitious regions and already running renovation and one-stop-shop EU funded projects, to offer a complete outlook for the sector: from up-skilling, policy, implementation, examples, to future development.
 
Moreover, it looks at replicating and expanding upon the work of diverse actors, while driving the innovation and implementation of the deep retrofit sector and the associated value chain of stakeholders.
 
Agenda
 
10:00-10:05 – Welcoming participants and speakers by Irene Egea Saiz, EHPA
 
10:05-10:20 – Keynote Speech: Cities and Regions leading Europe’s transition to climate-neutrality via the Covenant of Mayors by Frédéric Boyer, Covenant of Mayors Europe
 
10:20-11:00 – Region Panel Discussion moderated by Seamus Hoyne, Limerick Institute of Technology
 
  • Romania, Ministry of Energy, Label20.eu – Eugen Opritescu
  • L’orient urban heat – David Bourguignon
  • Extremadura Region in Spain, By AGENEX (TBC)
 
11:00-11:20 – How the EIB could support your region in the implementation of a One-Stop-Shop: focus on ELENA, by Louise White, Energy Efficiency & Energy Advisory Division of the European Investment Bank.
 
11:20-12:20 – Project examples: Renovation and One-Stop-Shop Initiatives, moderated by Irene Egea Saiz, EHPA
 
  • Superhomes2030
  • Sunhorizon
  • Opengela
  • One-Stop-Shop in Carlow, Kilkenny, and Wexford countries, Ireland, by 3CEA (TBC)
 
12:20-12:30 – Closing remarks by Daniela Bachner, Project Advisor Superhomes2030, CINEA
Bandera de la Unión Europa

This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 846707.

Otxar Opengela

Address: Avenida Pau Casals, No. 16, Otxarkoaga, Bilbao (In front of Plaza Kepa Enbeita)

Telephone: 946 85 19 32

E-mail: otxaropengela@vvmm.bilbao.eus

Txonta Opengela

Address: Calle Txonta No. 3, ground floor, Eibar

Telephone: 688 77 97 37

E-mail: txontabulegoa@eibar.eus

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