What are we?
Arantzazulab is a laboratory for democracy innovation, supported by a diverse range of public and private actors. It is a space for shared reflection, action, and collaboration, where we connect people and organisations, both locally and internationally.
Through innovation and experimentation, we work to activate local capacities, foster collective intelligence, strengthen
democratic culture, and explore new forms of interaction between citizens and institutions, contributing to a stronger democracy.
We combine the knowledge generated through theoretical analysis and research with the knowledge that emerges from practice, experimenting with innovative tools and methodologies that drive democratic strengthening.
Our starting point
At a time when threats to democracy are growing, there is a pressing need to develop diverse tools to deepen democratic practice.
It is precisely out of this need — to strengthen democratic culture and move towards more collaborative governance — that Arantzazulab was created, emerging from a shared consensus among various actors: Basque society needed its own space to delve deeper into the elements of democracy, to reflect collectively, and to experiment innovatively in the fields of public innovation and governance.
Our journey
In the first few years of the laboratory's life, an ambitious programme has been launched and several collaborative projects have been initiated, providing a solid foundation for the laboratory.
Annual reports:
2024
2023
2022
Reference Centre for Governance and Social Innovation
Within the framework of the Etorkizuna Eraikiz strategy of the Provincial Council of Gipuzkoa, Arantzazulab is named as a Governance Reference Centre.
Get to know Etorkizuna Eraikiz. The Etorkizuna Eraikiz case: Building Collaborative Governance in Times of Uncertainty
Governance Model
At present, 14 key actors in our area are part of the governance structure, giving the laboratory coverage and legitimacy.
Political leadership, the creation of relationships of trust and support are essential, as they are crucial to influence innovation in governance. The Basque Country's democratic and participatory culture, together with its social capital, is a solid foundation for Arantzazulab's work.
They are on the Board of Directors (members of the management board and founders): Gipuzkoa Provincial Council, Basque Government, MONDRAGON Cooperative Corporation, Kutxa bank Foundation, Oñati Town Hall and the Franciscan Community at Arantzazu.
The Advisory board includes the three main universities of the region (University of the Basque Country-UPV/EHU, University of Deusto and Mondragon Unibertsitatea), and other social innovation labs and research centres: Eusko Ikaskuntza, Agirre Lehendakaria Center, TMeLab, Orkestra-Basque Insititute of Competitiveness and Arantzazuko Adiskideak.
Zuzendaritza Batzordea
Aholku Batzordea
Team
We are a highly qualified multidisciplinary team of experienced professionals (innovation, strategy, design, social sciences, communication, political sciences).
Arantzazu: Heritage
Over the centuries Arantzazu has become a symbol for the Basque people, an intersection of culture, our language, architecture, humanism, spirituality, and our passion for the great outdoors. An inexhaustible source of social values, Arantzazu has always been a place for brave new endeavours.
Arantzazulab represents an opportunity to continue in this tradition and make a valuable contribution to our territory in the 21st century. The cultural and artistic heritage of this place is one of the greatest treasures of the Basque Country, and it also underpins the strategic framework of Arantzazulab and the social innovation we promote. For this reason, we actively foster and manage the process of promoting and regenerating the heritage of Arantzazu.