oPEN Lab continues to strengthen its commitment to equality, diversity and participation through the Women+ initiative, a campaign that highlights the role of women and gender-diverse people who actively contribute to the project and to the transformation of Positive Energy Neighbourhoods (PENs).
This initiative is delivered through interviews and short articles that showcase professional backgrounds, personal motivations and key contributions to the project. Its aim is twofold: to recognise the work carried out and to inspire others by sharing real stories of those driving social, technical and community-based innovation across different fields.
A Campaign to Recognise and Inspire
The first phase of Women+ in oPEN Lab introduced three portraits of women working in international and strategically relevant contexts for the project: Emily Bankert, an expert in research and PED policies; Alicia Kalms, a research engineer and project manager at CENER; and Annika Urbas, Project Director at the Tartu Regional Energy Agency.
Since then, the initiative has continued to grow with new contributions that further strengthen the diversity of profiles and perspectives within the project, particularly at the local level of the Living Lab Pamplona.
New Portraits: Alba Arias Royo y Saioa González Gutiérrez
Over the past three months, Women+ in oPEN Lab has added two new portraits linked to the Living Lab Pamplona, both from the University of the Basque Country (EHU).
On one hand, Alba Arias Royo, researcher and project manager, leads the social innovation dimension of the Living Lab in Pamplona. Her work focuses on community engagement, awareness-raising, and co-creation with local stakeholders, acting as a bridge between the project’s technical and social aspects. Alba emphasises the value of a bottom-up approach and the importance of ensuring that all voices are heard within the oPEN Lab ecosystem. Full interview here.
On the other hand, Saioa González Gutiérrez plays a key role in the project’s communication and outreach activities at the Living Lab in Pamplona. Through the creation of informative materials, management of the local website, and production of accessible content, Saioa works to bring research and innovation closer to the community, making the project understandable and fostering local participation. Full interview here.
Building a More Inclusive Project
The stories of Alba and Saioa highlight the importance of integrating diverse perspectives into complex projects such as oPEN Lab. Through social innovation, communication, and knowledge management, both contribute to keeping the project people-centred, reinforcing its social and territorial impact.
Throughout 2026, Women+ in oPEN Lab will continue to feature new portraits and experiences. Upcoming stories will be published on the project’s website and social media channels, continuing the effort to showcase role models, strengthen equality, and promote fairer and more inclusive innovation.
