Introduction
The Eudemon - Alt Penedès project began in September 2021 and focuses on current energy issues and the practical construction of conflict mediation methodologies.
Rationale for the project
In the context of the energy transition, the high level of conflict
generated by the implementation of renewable energies in different territories of Catalonia is evident.
New social and political demands call for new decision-making and public governance mechanisms. However, citizen involvement in decision-making and energy planning processes is hardly encouraged.
Catalonia is made up of very diverse regions with heterogeneous realities and developments. However, the proposals for energy transition do not originate endogenously from the territories nor are they embedded in their own dynamics.
The energy issue has a strong technical-technological component and a high degree of epistemological complexity and the necessary information is not always available or sufficiently clear and/or shared. Or the keys to its interpretation are not available.
Objectives of the Project
In Greek mythology, an Eudemon was a genie or benevolent spirit that acted as an intermediary between gods and humans. From this figure was born the ethical doctrine of eudemonism, which affirmed that to reach happiness it was necessary to act by finding the middle ground between human passions, formed by the animal part (the material goods) and the rational part (the mind), and the social dimension.
Inspired by this figure and the doctrine derived from it, the project proposes to:
Undertake the existence of the conflict as an opportunity
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Deepen the debate around the energy model in Catalonia.
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Generate consensus and/or concrete proposals for the territory in conflict.
Exercise a mediation task
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The voices of the different parties involved in a conflict and their ability to dialogue are recognized.
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The necessary conditions are created so that those involved are more likely to cooperate and reach agreements.
To create a conflict resolution protocol based on a concrete practical experience which can be used in similar situations.
The case and the foreseen actions
After reviewing the landscape of conflicts surrounding the proposed implementation of wind and/or photovoltaic power plants throughout Catalonia, the decision was made to frame the project in the Alt Penedès
county.
The actions to be developed in this context are:
Reinforce local governance
in order to have a social base that sustains the debate and allows for the adoption of agreements and their implementation by:
Identifying, contacting and collaborating with different groups with an interest in renewable energies in the Alt Penedès region.
Incentivizing the relationship between agents who are currently not very connected.
Introducing the debate in the sectors that are less associated with the subject.
Articulate an empathetic and constructive dialogue
through:
Promoting the organization of workshops about the implementation of renewable energies in the territory.
Providing information, accompaniment and tools to work with.
Contributing to the established decisional framework and, at the same time, opening up new lines of work.
Weaving a consensus base at the county level to help in the decision making process.
Team
Eudemon - CST and Advisory Council: people from diverse backgrounds – university, municipal, legal, trade union, research, activism and local development – chosen for their expertise and knowledge in the subject and in coherence with the polyhedric approach of the project.
Activities and reports:
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June 26: Presentation of the County-level Core Group on Energy Transition in the Alt Penedès.
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Press release.
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June 16: Presentation of allegations to the Territorial Sectorial Plan for Renewable Energies (PLATER).
Allegations Document
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April 17: Constitution of the County-level Core Group on Energy Transition in the Alt Penedès.
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Foundations of Consensus.
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February 7 (Vilafranca del Penedès): together with Unió de Pagesos [Farmer's Union], workshop and debate about agrovoltaic and the possibilities for combining agricultural and energy production in the Alt Penedès.
Report of Results
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November 25-26 (Vilafranca del Penedès): organized together with Centre d'Estudis Penedesencs, CEPVi and SOS Penedès, the conference “Energia i territori al Penedès. On estem i cap a on volem anar?” [Energy and Territory in the Penedès. Where do we stand and where do we want to go?] (Conference and workshop).
Report of the Energy and Territory Conference
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November 2 (Moja, Olèrdola, Barcelona): public debate session on energy transition and installation of renewable energies in the Alt Penedès.
Report of the Moja citizen's workshop
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September 25, 2022 – Survey on energy transition in the context of the demonstration “No a la Línia de Molt Alta Tensió” [NO to the Extra High Voltage Line] -
Report of Results
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September 21 and 28 (Vilafranca del Penedès): processes of dialogue and citizen participation surrounding energy transition and debate on criteria for the implementation of renewable energy plants. Carried out with Som Energia - Alt Penedès
Report of Results
