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
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.
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.
Who we are
We are a highly qualified multidisciplinary team of experienced professionals (innovation, strategy, design, social sciences, communication, political sciences).
Team
Naiara Goia
Managing director
Ione Ardaiz
Projects Lead
Ane Miren Valenciano
Project Manager
Iñaki Luzarraga
Communications Manager
Leire Lizarralde
Administration and Infrastructure Manager
Ainhoa Agirre
Coordinator of Gandiaga Topagunea
Andoni Eizagirre
Collaborator
Mondragon University – Researcher
Xabier Barandiaran
Collaborator
University of Deusto - Researcher
Auxkin Galarraga
Collaborator
University of the Basque Country – Researcher
Arantxa Mendiharat
Collaborator
Deliberativa - Co-Director
Asier Baztan
Collaborator
Mondragon Unibertsitatea – Researcher
Beatriz Belmonte
Collaborator
Better Public Services - Founder and director
Leire Cancio
Collaborator
Consultant for transformation at BETA and lecturer at HUHEZI, Mondragon University
Kaisu Tuominiemi
Collaborator
Travelling U. ; TAZEBAEZ - Development of International Ecosystems & Lead of Educational Programs
Juliana Rebello
Collaborator
Freelance – Designer
Board of Directors
Naiara Goia
Managing director
Asier Aranbarri
Basque Government - Director of Social Innovation and 2030 Agenda
Iosu Arraiz
Gipuzkoa Provincial Council – Strategy director
Izaro Elorza
Oñati Town Council - Mayor
Zigor Ezpeleta
MONDRAGON Corporation - Director of Social Management
Ander Aizpurua
Kutxa Fundazioa - Managing director
Joxe Mari Arregi
Franciscan Province of Arantzazu – Provincial Minister
Our Advisory Board
Juana Goizueta
University of the Basque Country - Vice-Rector of the Gipuzkoa Campus
Mari Jose Aranguren
University of Deusto - Vice-Rector of the Donostia Campus and Institutional Relations
Nagore Ipiña
Mondragon University – Dean of the Faculty of Humanities and Education Sciences
Gorka Espiau
Agirre Lehendakaria Center – Director
Beatriz Akizu
Eusko Ikaskuntza – Project manager
Ibon Gil de San Vicente
Orkestra-Basque Institute of Competitiveness - Director of projects and territorial impact
Urko Aiartza
Telesforo Monzon eLab– Director
Pello Sarasua
Arantzazuko Adiskideak – Member
Fellows
Michelle Zucker
False Parameter - Founder and director
Miren Larrea
Orkestra-Basque Institute of Competitiveness - Senior researcher
Adam Kahane
Reos Partners - Director, author and conflict facilitator
Governance Model
Board of Trustees
Board of Directors
Our Advisory Board
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.
Within the framework of the Etorkizuna Eraikiz strategy of the Provincial Council of Gipuzkoa, Arantzazulab is named as a Governance Reference Centre.
Annual reports:
2024
2023
2022
Arantzazu
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.