Just Transition Platform project fiche : open innovation platform in Lada and Velilla del Rio Carrion : providing collaboration and project opportunities between citizens, public bodies and companies for a just transition in a former coal region : Spain (Asturias, Palencia)

The territories surrounding Lada (Asturias) and Velilla del Río Carrión (Palencia) were deeply intertwined with the operations of the homonymous coal-fired power plants. The decision to dismiss them led to uneasiness among the local populations concerning the economic and employment consequences. Therefore, in 2021, the energy company Iberdrola partnered with two research centres, the Agirre Lehendakaria Center for social and political studies (ALC) and Centre for Innovation in Technology for Human Development (itdUPM), to set up an Open Innovation Platform devoted to a fair and just transition. After a process of listening aimed at uncovering the needs, desires and concerns of the people in the regions, the Platform brought together different stakeholders to come up with possible solutions and strengthen existing initiatives. The Platform took a systemic approach to the issue at hand, not only by connecting specific projects with complementarity potential, but also by connecting solutions to the specific narratives highlighted by the people involved.