Through the implementation of low carbon-based energy systems and participatory modes of governance, there are countless collective initiatives progressing towards a sustainable and resilient energy model. Local alternatives necessarily have to be able to scale in order to address global challenges. From the renewed paradigm of the commons, this empirical research provides a precise picture of the present scalability of these (self) transformative initiatives in Spain. Based on the identification and qualitative analysis of 18 of them via semi-structured in-depth interviews, the article explores their upper and lower limits; the importance of power distribution and citizen participation; the relational dimension of the scale; the upscaling forms and the role of public institutions. On the basis of the results obtained, the article finally presents recommendations aimed at strengthening this scalability of the energy commons.

Population aging is a great human achievement, but the economic literature normally addresses its effects in a narrow way and as a “problem” to be solved. The objective of this paper is to provide a more balanced approach to aging by calling into question some widespread ideas in the economic literature on aging, such as its supposed negative influence on economic growth, its impact on labor productivity or the assumption that aging societies are incapable of applying reforms. The paper adopts the renewed civil economy framework and takes as a reference the existing literature about beliefs and wrong assumptions on aging. The innovative contribution of this analysis lies in its effort to foster a positive perspective in the population aging field of research and in challenging negative associations regarding old-age stereotypes.

This research reviews the commons paradigm as a framework for understanding the positive contribution of older cohorts to society. The commons, thought as instituting praxis that provide social goods based on autonomy and reciprocity, can help in understanding the role of this age group in providing care to the rest of society. This approach overturns the way economic literature approaches the aging phenomenon. What is understood as a “common evil”—or a problem that needs to be solved—can be analyzed as a “common good.” From this perspective, older people (population aged 65 and over) are essential to European society and the economy to carry out informal care activities that enable and facilitate the “productive” activities of working people.

In the context of the impact of COVID-19 pandemic in Bizkaia (Basque Country, Spain), and from the renewed Commons paradigm, this research analyzes the initial response given by the region’s employment ecosystem. Based on extensive quantitative and qualitative methods, it empirically explores the catalytic role that local public and social entities could play in coordinating an organized and systemic response of the employment-related stakeholders to an external impact, such as the current pandemic. The study of databases specifically provided by the Public Administrations for this research, in combination with two survey processes conducted to the main agents of the ecosystem, led to a greater understanding of the benefits of an organized and systemic reaction. From the community identification of a priori unrecognized impacts by individual actors to the proposal of actions closely connected to their short and long-term needs, the article finally presents recommendations aimed at strengthening the resilience and collaboration of the collective action.

The involvement of citizens and all stakeholders is crucial in tackling environmental and social matters. This, addressing equity and diversity issues, although challenging, is a necessary condition for achieving positive outcomes and ensuring that no one is left behind. To help ease this challenge, this work presents a systematic approach to ensure inclusive participation and leverage non-technical and technical elements to maximise stakeholder engagement in scientific activities to successfully address sustainability concerns. For that, it builds on the interim results of the H2020 SOCIO-BEE project, a Citizen science (CS) proposal to reduce air pollution through inclusive community engagement and social innovation. As part of an interdisciplinary CS project, an abductive systematic combining methodology was employed, which allowed for dialogue and collaboration between theory and practice throughout the whole process, during which separate groups of experts and potential end-users were involved. The article presents (i) the stakeholder engagement strategy codified in the SOCIO-BEE toolkit as a robust, actionable and inclusive foundation of engagement to CS activities; and (ii) the digital platform UX that allows setting up campaigns for measurements and assignment to citizens, incorporating the requirements for flexibility, accessibility, limited digital literacy, inclusion and legal and ethical considerations. Their combination and mutual interaction aim to leverage the pros of CS and technology whilst reducing their cons to ensure the four pillars of applicability, scalability, actionability, and inclusion. This is supported by the presented hybrid model which combines physical and virtual spaces and individual and collective action.

Una vez más, el gran cierre llevado a cabo para mitigar los efectos del impacto de la covid-19 ha demostrado la profunda relación existente entre nuestro sistema socioeconómico y el modelo energético. El impacto que la pandemia ha creado en el ámbito energético parece haber reforzado la necesidad de transitar hacia un modelo más justo e inclusivo. En este contexto (Marzo de 2019, pre-covid), la Comisión Europea impulsa una transición energética en la que la ciudadanía está llamada a jugar un rol central para conseguir un sistema energético asequible, fiable y sostenible mediante el desarrollo de comunidades locales de energía. Estas iniciativas comunitarias destacan por sus modos de gobierno basados en la promoción del bien común y su pertenencia formal a la Economía Social. Tienen el potencial de conformar un modelo energético más resiliente a través de la relocalización de la generación de la energía, la reducción de su consumo o la ubicación de la ciudadanía en el centro a través de la socialización de los medios de producción. Utilizando una extensa revisión bibliográfica y el análisis de fuentes secundarias, el objetivo de esta investigación es proponer un marco conceptual convergente entre la Economía Social y el paradigma de lo Común, y aplicarlo a las Comunidades de Energía impulsadas por la Comisión Europea. Mediante el diálogo entre los principios normativos y aplicados del paradigma de lo Común y los de la Economía Social, se desarrollará un mapa de las esferas de lo Público, lo Privado, lo Social y lo Común que, a su vez, justificará posicionar a la Economía Social como la forma idónea de organizar iniciativas como las Comunidades de Energía Europeas.