Leading the transition to Positive Energy Neighborhoods (oPEN Lab)

The project oPEN Lab will demonstrate integrated, participatory and neighborhood-based approaches by establishing three Open Innovation Living Labs in Genk (Belgium), Pamplona (Spain) and Tartu (Estonia): 

• the integrated approach combines sustainable building design tailored to the local context in Genk, Pamplona and Tartu;
• the participatory approach is based on a collaborative approach involving industry, public authorities, academia and residents from Genk, Pamplona and Tartu;
• the neighborhood approach enables analysis leading to designs and implementation of the optimal renovation and technology approaches for a decarbonized building stock.

oPEN Lab is a project funded under the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation program. Coordinated by VITO, 33 partners from 7 countries are working together to revitalize urban areas across Europe and lead the transition to Positive Energy Neighborhoods. Activities are taking place at three demonstration sites in Genk (Belgium), Pamplona (Spain) and Tartu (Estonia).  

Steinbeis Europa Zentrum supports as a project partner: the dissemination and communication of the project activities and results, for example through a project website, social media activities, promotional materials, press work, video production, web seminars, workshops and conferences.  

Further information:

• Project name acronym: oPEN Lab 
• Funding: European Commission, H2020 
• Funding budget for the whole project all partners: 19.8 million EUR 
• Participating countries: Belgium, Germany, Estonia, Greece, Netherlands, Spain and Switzerland 
• Project duration: 10/2021 - 03/2026