Debagoiena Citizens’ Assembly
For: Debagoiena 2030
Debagoiena (Alto Deba) is a region with high energy consumption, due, among other reasons, to the importance of its industrial fabric and lifestyle. Located in Gipuzkoa (Basque Country, Spain), it had a population of 62,527 in 2018 and comprises the municipalities of Antzuola, Aretxabaleta, Arrasate/Mondragón, Bergara, Elgeta, Eskoriatza, Leintz-Gatzaga and Oñati.
In 2023, Debagoiena 2030 began to work on the idea of a deliberative process (‘Argitzen’) on energy transition. Debagoiena 2030 is an open collaboration network involving public entities, cooperatives, companies and educational agents seeking to transform the Debagoiena region into a smart, inclusive and climate-neutral region by 2050.
After two years of intense work involving a multiplicity of actors, a Mandate Body (composed of the county’s municipalities, business organizations and community organizations) commissioned a Citizens’ Assembly on energy transition. It is composed of 48 citizens of the county chosen by a civic lottery. It takes place in autumn 2025 (5 sessions on Saturdays October 18 and 25, November 8, 22 and 29).
The Mandate Body has agreed on the following question for the Citizens’ Assembly: “What actions or changes should local actors in Debagoiena develop to reduce energy consumption and develop renewable energies? Taking into account the following criteria:
- the industrial fabric and living conditions of the region, and their impact on the model.
- the level of energy dependence.
- minimising the impact of renewable energies on biodiversity and the rural environment.
- proportionality between capacities and responsibilities among different people, institutions, towns and territories”.
The videos and documentation of the process are available on the Argitzen website.
Image 1: May 2025: presentation of Argitzen at Arantzazulab
Image 2: October 2025: first session of the Citizens’ Assembly in Bergara (at the Miguel Altuna Vocational Training Centre)
