Basque Institute of Competitiveness

What is Orkestra?

Orkestra - Basque Institute of Competitiveness is…

An initiative of the University of Deusto, through the Deusto Foundation, for the study of competitiveness and regional development through different lines of research, with three goals:

Contribute to the improvement of the Basque Country's competitiveness
Promote the improvement of citizens' wellbeing
Create knowledge of regional competitiveness

Formed in 2006, the Orkestra team promotes transformative research. This type of research is defined by analysis, reflection, evaluation and the proposal of actions, in a permanent form, aimed at providing innovative answers for the resolution of the challenges considered, while research knowledge is acquired.

To this end Orkestra, who since its beginnings has been an example of success in public-private cooperation, works with a large number of networks, businesses, governments and institutions on numerous projects. In this way, aside from being an agent of change to drive competitiveness in the Basque Country, it has become today an international model in the analysis of regional competitiveness in a global environment.

Transparency Report 2024 - FUNDACIÓN DEUSTO / DEUSTO FUNDAZIOA

Supporting institutions

Orkestra has the support of public bodies and private benchmark companies concerning territorial competitiveness, which endow this transforming research project with stability. These institutions fulfil an active role in the organisational structure of the Institute and provide essential collaboration in the carrying out of the Institute's projects and activities.

Global partners

Governing bodies

Board of Directors

Chairman of the Board of Directors

Iván Martén Uliarte
Representative of Deusto Foundation

Vice-Chairman of the Board of Directors

Emiliano López Atxurra
Petronor Representative
Chairman

Members of the Board of Directors

Ane Agirre Romarate Representative of Deusto Foundation	Jordi Albareda Representative of Deusto Foundation
Mikel Amundarain Leibar EVE Representative General Director	Unai Andueza Iraeta Provincial Council of Gipuzkoa Representative Deputy of Economic Development and Strategic Projects
Javier Arellano Yanguas Representative of Deusto Foundation	Andrés Arizkorreta García Representative of Deusto Foundation
Ainara Basurko Urkiri Provincial Council of Bizkaia Representative Deputy for Economic Promotion	Patxi Calleja Mediano Iberdrola Representative Regulation Manager at Iberdrola Spain
Kontxi Claver Zurro Bilbao City Council Representative Councillor for Economic Development, Trade, Employm	Jaione Ganzarain Epelde Basque Government Representative Deputy Minister for Technology, Innovation and Digital Transformation
Xabier Sagredo Ormaza BBK Bank Foundation Representative Chairmanducation at the University of Deusto	Saray Zárate Fernández de Landa Provincial Council of Alava Representative Deputy of Economic Development and Innovation
Unai Alaña Díaz-de-Guereñu Iberdrola Substitute Representative Regulatory Analysis Manager	Juan Luis Arriaga Ortega BBK Foundation Substitute Representative Director of Research
Alberto José Fernández González Basque Government Substitute Representative Technology and Strategy Director	Javier Garcinuño Zabala Bilbao City Council Substitute Representative Director of Bilbao Ekintza
Ander Larrinaga Saiz Provincial Council of Alava Substitute Representative Director of Economic Development and Innovation	Ander Larrinaga Saiz Provincial Council of Alava Substitute Representative Director of Economic Development and Innovation
Elias Unzueta Etxeita Petronor Substitute Representative Engineering Manager

Honorary Positions

Honorary Chairmen

Ignacio Mª Echeberria Monteberria Chairman of Orkestra from 2011 to 2019	José Luis Larrea Jiménez de Vicuña Chairman of Orkestra from 2006 to 2011
Michael E. Porter Institute for Strategy and Competitiveness (ISC), Universidad de Harvard

Honorary Members

Jon Azua Mendia	José Luis Curbelo Ranero
José Ignacio Goirigolzarri Tellaeche	Guillermo Ulacia Arnaiz

Advisory Board

Members

Christian Ketels (President) Lead Economist at the The World Bank and Senior Research Fellow at Stockholm School of Economics	Ana Teresa T. Lehmann Associate Professor of Economics at the University of Porto
Karen Maguire Acting Head of Division: Local Employment, Skills and Social Innovation at the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)	Andrés Rodríguez-Pose Princesa de Asturias Chair and Professor of Economic Geography, London School of Economics
Xabier Goenaga Expert in Innovation Policies, SMEs, 3rd mission of Universities, China R&I and Economic Impact of Policies