drOp newsletter – summer 2025 edition

Discover the latest updates from the drOp project: the launch of EkiElkar, Ermua’s first local energy community, vibrant public space transformations in Santa Ana, and early replication efforts in Elva and Matera. Highlights include participatory urban design, inclusive renovation strategies, and key events like the Final Conference in Dublin. Enjouy the read!📰
The neighborhood’s small square is being transformed through tactical urbanism

The neighborhood’s small square is undergoing an exciting transformation thanks to a tactical urbanism process that has placed residents at the center from the very beginning. Over the past few months, many neighbors have visited the area to actively participate in designing the new space, proposing the features and elements they considered important for their […]
The neighborhood’s new mural is now complete!

The renovation of the neighbourhood mural is now a reality. After several weeks of work and a participatory process, the final design—chosen by local residents through a popular vote—has been brought to life by a local artist from the town. The mural, full of symbolism and colour, captures the spirit of the neighbourhood through hands […]
EkiElkar Launches: Ermua’s First Local Energy Community Takes Root in Santa Ana

Ermua, June 25, 2025 – Santa Ana, the pilot neighbourhood of drOp project, has taken a bold step toward sustainability and social innovation with the launch of the Local Energy Community “EkiElkar”. This pioneering initiative is part of the European drOp project, which aims to transform the neighbourhood through five key pillars: enhancing public spaces, boosting the local economy, fostering […]
Final Conference of the drOp Project: Showcasing Inclusive Neighbourhood Regeneration at ISHF 2025

On June 4th, during the International Social Housing Festival (ISHF) in Dublin, Housing Europe and its partners hosted the final conference of the EU-funded drOp project. The event brought together social housing providers, municipalities, researchers, and community stakeholders to examine how integrated approaches can revitalise neighbourhoods across Europe. This article covers the final conference of […]
ProLight 4th CAPACITY BUILDING WORKSHOP

📅Tuesday 24th June 2025⌚13:00 – 18:00 CET📍Online and at Greenovate! Europe EEIG, located at 231 Avenue Louise, 1050 Brussels drOp is happy to be part of this session organised by our sister project ProLight. The 4th Capacity Building Workshop (CBWS) of the ProLight project (www.prolight-project.eu) is scheduled for June 24, 2025. The event will take […]
Ermua moves towards the transformation of Santa Ana with a participatory sesion

As part of the European dr0p project, a comprehensive urban regeneration initiative that seeks to improve not only the physical spaces of the neighbourhood. This Friday, the Izarra Centre hosted the key session of the European dr0p project, a comprehensive urban regeneration initiative that seeks to improve not only the physical spaces of the neighbourhood, […]
“More than Renovation: Neighbourhood Regeneration”. The Drop project final conference.

How can social housing districts become vibrant, inclusive neighbourhoods? In this session, we will explore how art and culture, community, and digital innovation can shape urban regeneration across Europe. You will hear from leading cities that are driving fair and sustainable transition: from Matera’s (Italy) expertise in cultural placemaking, Elva’s (Estonia) e-governance for community empowerment, […]
drOp Regional event – Basque Country

¡Únete a nosotros el 23 de mayo! Inscríbete ahora para asistir al evento de presentación de resultados del proyecto drOp, liderado por el Ayuntamiento de Ermua dentro del programa Horizon Europe. Juntos, exploraremos las lecciones aprendidas y los desafíos en comunidades energéticas, desarrollo local, participación ciudadana y regeneración urbana. ¡No te lo pierdas! 📅 Fecha: 23 de […]
Transforming Santa Ana neighbourhood through street art

Last Thursday marked the conclusion of a participatory process in which the residents of Santa Ana chose the designs that will transform three iconic spaces in the neighborhood: a new space, a redesigned median wall, and a historic photograph that will adorn the exterior of a public elevator. These projects aim to enhance the area’s […]