Social innovation for a new energy model, from theory to action: contributions from the social and solidarity economy in the Basque Country

Abstract

This paper sets out to analyse organisations in the Social and Solidarity Economy (SSE), working in the field of energy provision, and their contribution to the so-called energy transition from the perspective of social innovation. By showing the practical application of the concept of social innovation and its convergence and synergies with the SSE, we review the extent to which Basque Renewable Energy SSE alternatives are experiences that incorporate socially innovative elements. In addition, we study three cases through these approaches in order to observe the real and potential benefits that experiences based on social innovation can bring to energy transition.

The main contribution of our research is to analyse the means by which certain initiatives are implemented through projects framed using the most prominent theoretical models focused on energy transition, social innovation and a social and solidarity-based economy, all aimed at achieving a low-carbon society.

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Keywords:

• social innovation
• social and solidarity economy
• energy transition

JEL:

• B55
• O35
• Q49

Notes

1 The Centre de recherche sur les innovations sociales (Centre for research on social innovations – CRISES) is an interuniversity and multidisciplinary research centre. They study and analyse innovation and social change in four complementary areas: social innovations and transformations in 1) social policies and practices, 2) territories and living environments, 3) social and collective organisations, 4) work and employment. Webpage: https://crises.uqam.ca/anglais/

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by Eusko Jaurlaritza and Euskal Herriko Unibertsitatea. Research group on Social Economy and its Law, Research group of the Basque university system 2019–2021 (GEZKI institute, University of the Basque Country, UPV/EHU): [Grant Number IT1327-19].