“Empowering Communities, Energising Change: A Cultural Hub for Sustainable Futures.”
Who are you — and what’s happening at your lab?
BASIS is a transdisciplinary hub for culture, innovation, and entrepreneurship in Silandro, South Tyrol. Set in repurposed former Fascist barracks, it’s home to coworking spaces, workshops, events, business incubation, and social programmes. With a team of 10, a board of 7, and a wide network of volunteers, BASIS supports regional development through creativity, education, and sustainability. Its current focus includes major projects linked to the creation of a local sustainable energy community.
What kind of local story are you part of?
Located in the Venosta Valley, BASIS works in an Alpine region facing environmental pressures like glacier loss, water scarcity, and rising energy needs. The area is transitioning to decentralised renewables, including solar, biomass, and small hydro. BASIS contributes by promoting community-led energy solutions aligned with EU Green Deal and RED II directives — encouraging urban-rural cooperation and regional resilience.
What do you hope to achieve through Co-PED?
Socially, we aim to foster participation, empower local communities in energy decision-making, and strengthen collaboration between towns and rural areas. Technically, we’re supporting the new Renewable Energy Community “EVi” and improving the energy performance of BASIS itself — making the hub a model for affordable and resilient transformation.
How will you make it happen?
We’ll build urban-rural partnerships linking energy producers and consumers, while piloting scalable, community-based policy tools. Education and advocacy will play a key role. Through our energy community and cultural programming, we’ll promote self-sufficiency and resilience — showing how cultural centres can help lead the energy transition from the ground up.
Who are your allies in all this?
We work with a broad range of stakeholders: local citizens, cultural organisations, schools and universities, artists, makers, small businesses, and policymakers. Our institutional partners include the Municipality of Silandro and South Tyrolean bodies, alongside energy and research organisations. Internationally, we connect through networks like Trans Europe Halles, New European Bauhaus, and European Creative Hubs Network.
What kind of change do you want to see?
We want to support decentralised, cooperative energy solutions that are fair, local, and climate-aware. By installing solar panels and heat pumps, BASIS will reduce its own carbon footprint. Co-PED will also enable peer learning across Europe — boosting participatory finance models, innovative governance, and regional energy autonomy.
And finally — your motto for Co-PED?
“Empowering Communities, Energising Change: A Cultural Hub for Sustainable Futures.”
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Co-PED investigates the potential of social and cultural centers as catalysts for positive energy districts, nurturing a just energy transition that includes local communities.
Co-PED is dedicated to inclusion and gender diversity and therefore implemented a gender and diversity policy
EUROPEAN PARTNERSHIP
Policy Analysis Report at regional, national, and European levels, assessing existing policies.
Policy Briefs at the intersection of cultural, real estate, urban development, and energy policies.
Policy Roundtable Events, including six events across the co-applicant countries.
Strategic Guidelines for municipalities on the implementation of energy communities.
Capacity Building and Training Program for policymakers and civil society, promoting energy justice.
Structuring Study for a European cooperative company, including articles of association and relevant legislation.
