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Alicante calls on citizens, NGOs, scientists and businesses to join its Citizen Laboratory
Alicante has launched the Alicante Citizen Laboratory initiative in cooperation with local and national authorities to align the city’s social and environmental efforts with UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Under Mayor of Alicante Luis Barcala, the city is calling on citizens, NGOs, academics, scientists, entrepreneurs and the public administration to take part in a proactive and inclusive manner.
Local development agency head Mari Carmen pointed out that the initiative aims to improve the quality of environmental and social life in Alicante through social innovation. She reminded that national authorities allocated EUR 150,000 for the initiative, which aims to promote municipal innovation.
The Ministry of Innovation previously announced a broader programme worth EUR 2.8 million, under which Alicante is to receive its allocation.
Carmen stressed the importance of innovating to boost inclusivity and sustainability. She added that the Alicante Citizen Laboratory will eliminate inequalities and improve coexistence through transparent proposals, reiterating that cooperation of all segments of the society is required.
As part of the initiative, citizens will decide which environmental and social challenges to focus on, with conclusions to be presented at the start of November. Local authorities invited everyone to take part in the experimental programme and pointed out that more than 250 individuals and 100 groups already expressed desire to participate.
Local authorities stressed that the experimental programme will serve as an example for other cities to implement positive changes.
(Photo credit: Attila Surányi / Unsplash)
