Site visits on 11 February
1. AZKUNA ZENTROA
Join this site visit if you are interested in culture and activating local communities through the arts.
Azkuna Zentroa is Bilbao’s flagship cultural and community centre, housed in the former Alhóndiga — a historic wine warehouse. It exemplifies how urban cultural spaces can strengthen social cohesion, accessibility and community vitality. Its wide range of facilities and programmes — from exhibitions and digital culture to sports, education and social innovation — attract diverse audiences, foster intergenerational participation and showcase creative forms of civic engagement.
This visit will offer participants firsthand insight into how the adaptive repurposing of space and the strengthening of cultural infrastructures can enhance inclusion, support community-building and encourage active citizen participation.
Meeting point: Main entrance of the Azkuna Zentroa at 09:00. Address: Arriquíbar Plaza, 4, Abando, 48010 Bilbao, Bizkaia, Spain. This visit will last 1,5 hour.
2. ZORROTZAURRE
If you are interested in innovation ecosystems and the impact of a diverse group of stakeholders working together, this site visit is for you.
Zorrotzaurre is one of Europe’s most ambitious regeneration projects, transforming a former industrial peninsula into an inclusive and sustainable new district through multi-actor governance. Bringing together cultural initiatives, start-ups, educational centres, social projects and local residents, it demonstrates how cities can embed democratic values in urban development while fostering youth engagement, creativity and community life.
A visit to Zorrotzaurre will offer participants firsthand insight into how Bilbao is shaping a district grounded in social cohesion and systems thinking.
Meeting point: La Perrera (main venue) at 08:30. Please arrive 5-10 minutes early, as the bus departs at 08:30 sharp. This visit will last 2 hours.
3. Koop SF34 & DIVERSITOURS
This site visit will be valuable for those interested in grass-roots initiatives that strengthen social cohesion, foster a sense of belonging and revitalise marginalised urban areas.
Koop SF34, the cooperative behind the award-winning DIVERSITOURS project, trains residents as intercultural guides to lead tours through one of Bilbao’s most deprived neighbourhoods, highlighting its cultural richness and diversity. By promoting new narratives around migration and inclusion, the initiative empowers communities and encourages more tolerant, critical and intercultural forms of urban citizenship. Bilbao won the 2023 Eurocities Award for DIVERSITOURS in the category “From human global mobility to local community cohesion”.
A visit to Koop SF34 and DIVERSITOURS will offer participants insight into how community-led projects can drive social transformation from the ground up.
Meeting point: La Perrera (main venue) at 08:30. Please arrive 5-10 minutes early, as the bus departs at 08:30 sharp. This visit will last 1,5 hour.
Social events
10 February: Visit and dinner at the San Mamés Stadium
The group will visit the city's football stadium, where they will have the opportunity to meet with those responsible for the ATHLETIC FOUNDATION project. The ATHLETIC FOUNDATION is closely linked to Athletic Club, the historic football team from Bilbao whose unique philosophy makes it a sporting and cultural reference both within and beyond Europe. Since its origins, Athletic Club has maintained a model based on commitment to its territory and the promotion of local talent— an exceptional principle in professional football that strengthens its identity and connection with the community. This uniqueness has made the team a collective symbol that transcends sport and forms an essential part of Bilbao’s social imagination.
The Foundation develops educational and social programs that foster cooperation, equality, respect, inclusion, and collective responsibility—principles fully aligned with Nets4Dem’s mission to reinforce democratic quality in Europe and promote the active involvement of youth in public life. Through participatory methodologies and initiatives that integrate sport, education, and social engagement, the Foundation creates spaces where girls, boys, and young people can experience teamwork dynamics, shared decision-making, peaceful conflict resolution, and recognition of diversity.
Moreover, its strong community roots and capacity to mobilize young people from very diverse backgrounds make the Athletic Foundation a key actor in understanding how democratic values can be spread beyond traditional institutional environments. Its approach shows that education in democratic citizenship can also arise from cultural and sporting spaces with a strong local identity, capable of directly connecting with youth and generating environments of trust and mutual learning.
To conclude the visit in a special way, it is proposed to complete the tour with a guided visit to San Mamés Stadium, an emblematic space for the city deeply linked to Bilbao’s collective identity and which has also received important architectural recognitions. At the end of the visit, the group will be offered an informal dinner in one of the stadium’s own spaces, creating an inspiring and symbolic setting to foster exchange among the participants.
11 February: PINTXO-POTE Night
Meeting point: Dock Bilbao at 20:00
Pintxo-pote is a popular social tradition in the Basque Country that invites people to enjoy small tapas (pintxos) and drinks while spending time with friends, colleagues, and family. It is a relaxed and lively way to experience local gastronomy and everyday culture, and a perfect opportunity to connect in an informal atmosphere after a day of meetings.
The DOCK Bar at BILBAO BERRIKUNTZA FAKTORIA BBF, an innovative cooperative training centre that forms part of Mondragon University. BBF brings together entrepreneurship, education and community engagement through cooperative values and practices. Hosting the pintxo-pote here highlights how collaborative economic models and skills-based learning contribute to inclusive participation and collective empowerment—key themes also explored during the Democracy Lab’s sessions.