On 13 November, the city of Castelo Branco hosted the ‘Beira Baixa com Energia’ event, an EDP Foundation initiative carried out in partnership with EDP, ALAD | Amato Lusitano - Development Association, through the IN Social Incubator in Castelo Branco, and the University of Évora. The main aim of the meeting, which took place at AEBB | Associação Empresarial da Beira Baixa, was to foster a fair and inclusive energy transition, promoting innovation among young people and the development of sustainable solutions to current energy challenges.
During the event, 17 student teams were encouraged to create and present innovative proposals for an accessible and sustainable energy transition. The teams pitched their ideas to a panel of judges, who assessed each proposal on the basis of creativity and feasibility of implementation.
The panel included experts from strategic areas for the energy transition and social innovation: Vanda Martins, EDP Foundation Administrator responsible for Social Innovation, Luísa Bernardes, Portugal Social Innovation Centre Representative, João Carvalhinho, Intermunicipal Executive Secretary of the Beira Baixa Intermunicipal Community, Nuno Caseiro, Professor at the Castelo Branco Polytechnic Institute, and Afonso Cavaco - Researcher at the University of Évora. The judges selected three teams of finalists for a second phase, rewarding them for their potential for innovation and social impact while promoting natural heritage and biodiversity, energy efficiency and renewable energies, and energy inclusion.
These teams were recognised with a basket of sustainable products and will have access to individualised mentoring sessions with experts from local social entities. This mentoring support aims to strengthen the proposals, increasing the social impact and long-term viability of each project.
‘Initiatives such as ‘Beira Baixa com Energia’ are essential for promoting innovation and involving young people in the search for sustainable solutions to the challenges of a fair energy transition, especially in inland regions, reflecting the EDP Foundation's commitment to supporting development and sustainability,’ stated Vanda Martins, EDP Foundation administrator responsible for the Social Innovation area.
The event ended on a positive note, reinforcing the commitment of the EDP Foundation and its partner institutions to promoting an inclusive and sustainable energy transition. With initiatives like ‘Beira Baixa com Energia’, the Beira Baixa region is strengthening itself as a stage for innovation and active contribution to the energy challenges of the future, involving young people and local partners in a collective movement for sustainability.
