On March 25-26, 2025, the city of Mérida became the meeting point for regional and international experts, institutions, and local stakeholders as part of the first physical workshop to initiate the creation of a Living Lab (LL) in the Badajoz province, under the umbrella of the PRO-CLIMATE project.
The workshop, organised as a collaborative and integrative two-day event, marks an important preliminary step toward the establishment of the Living Lab in Badajoz. The activity was coordinated by Diputación de Badajoz (Ms. Pilar Muñoz Romero) and CARTIF (Mr. Jose María Sanz Martín), with technical facilitation and LL process design led by ATU – Atlantic Technological University (Dr. Catalin Anton), who was also present during the event.
On the first day, representatives from Diputación de Badajoz and change agents working in the region gathered to design the initial governance and operational framework of the LL. This internal session allowed for deep reflection on systemic climate challenges, institutional structures, and how participatory processes could be scaled within the territory’s 14 delegations.
The second day brought together a wider spectrum of stakeholders including NGOs, local action groups, academia, technical experts, and municipal officials. Participants discussed the environmental and social vulnerabilities of the region, such as rising temperatures, heatwaves, water scarcity, biodiversity loss, and rural depopulation. Several opportunities for innovation and climate action emerged, including circular economy initiatives, smart water management, biodiversity monitoring with drones, and sustainable tourism (e.g., dark-sky certification programs).
These discussions and reflections will feed into the creation of the Pilot Operational Plan (POP) for the Badajoz LL. The POP will be developed through a co-creation process led by ATU, Diputación de Badajoz, and CARTIF, with input from other PRO-CLIMATE partners, and will outline tailored interventions, engagement strategies, and governance models to enhance the region’s climate resilience.
This Living Lab in Badajoz province is one of six Living Labs established across Europe within the PRO-CLIMATE project, which seeks to support climate adaptation through participatory governance, cross-sectoral collaboration, and systemic transformation. Each LL focuses on unique territorial challenges while contributing to shared learning and innovation at the European level.
PRO-CLIMATE’s mission is to empower regions and communities by unlocking climate solutions that are inclusive, collaborative, and grounded in local realities. The Badajoz LL stands as a promising platform where tradition meets innovation, and where community-led action shapes a resilient future.
