25 June 2025
The Provincial Council and the Local Development Agencies recognise Action Research for Territorial Development as an effective research methodology for designing and implementing policies tailored to the needs of the region
Miren Larrea's publication, "The Art of Facilitating Territorial Development", is the result of 15 years of collaborative learning between Orkestra, the Provincial Council and the Local Development Agencies
On June 20th 2025, the Provincial Council of Gipuzkoa and the region's 11 development agencies renewed their partnership agreement in a ceremony presided over by Provincial Councillor Eider Mendoza. This new agreement will strengthen the collaborative governance model implemented in the region, with the aim of continuing to make progress in key areas such as competitiveness, innovation, inclusion and employability.
This collaboration has been part of the Etorkizuna Eraikiz programme since 2017, significantly benefiting the business landscape and the wellbeing of people in Gipuzkoa. Signing this agreement further consolidates an effective model of inter-institutional cooperation for designing and implementing region-specific policies.
Orkestra has been recognised as a key facilitator of this collaborative governance process. The Institute's involvement has been instrumental in developing the longest-running Action-Research for Territorial Development (IADT) process to date, which has had a direct impact on public policy and academia.
Thanks to the experience gained, the Provincial Council, Orkestra and the agencies have developed an effective, region-specific model of cooperation. During the event, the parties reaffirmed their trust in each other, recognising each other as key players in the development of Gipuzkoa.
In recent years, the focus of this collaboration has been on economic promotion, innovation and employability. However, the true value of this framework lies in strengthening collaborative governance in these and other areas. The Territorial Development Laboratory has evolved steadily, adapting to different circumstances and needs while fostering trust between institutions. This approach has enhanced the operational efficiency of joint initiatives by promoting values such as shared responsibility, pooled capabilities, effective public policies, and mutual support.
The lessons learnt from Orkestra’s years of collaboration with the Provincial Council and the Local Development Agencies have recently been detailed in the book "The Art of Facilitating Territorial Development". Drawing on her experience in facilitation, author Miren Larrea explores the interplay between action and reflection, challenging inflexibility and celebrating the ever-evolving nature of facilitation, where questions outnumber answers. This highlights the complexity of the work undertaken by researchers dedicated to facilitating processes for territorial development.
