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TRAMAS Living Lab Launches with a Shared Diagnosis of the Challenges Facing Transformative Economies

Led by Comillas Pontifical University within the EUPeace Living Labs initiative, TRAMAS has launched an 18-month participatory process bringing together public institutions, academia, businesses and civil society to explore the challenges and opportunities of transformative economies in advancing a just ecosocial transition.

On 1 July 2026, TRAMAS Living Lab – Transformative Economies for a Just Ecosocial Transition held its inaugural session at Comillas Pontifical University in Madrid, marking the beginning of an 18-month participatory process that will continue until October 2027 as part of the EUPeace Living Labs initiative. Coordinated by Amparo Merino from the Faculty of Economics and Business Administration at Comillas, the Living Lab provides a collaborative space for organisations working towards social justice and care for life within planetary boundaries while addressing the structural tensions of dominant economic models.

Bringing Diverse Perspectives Together

The first session brought together around thirty participants from twenty-five organisations representing public administrations, academia, businesses, social and solidarity economy organisations, trade unions and civil society. Reflecting the Living Lab methodology, the session created a space for dialogue between actors with diverse perspectives and experiences, encouraging collaborative approaches to complex societal challenges.

Following an introduction to the project by the TRAMAS team, participants worked in small groups to reflect on three key questions: the main obstacles to advancing transformative economic models, the resources and support needed to move forward, and the opportunities already available within their respective ecosystems.

Contact

Dr. Birgit Strotmann

Comillas Pontifical University & WP7 Lead

birgit.strotmann@comillas.edu

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Identifying Common Challenges

The discussions highlighted several shared challenges, including the need to move beyond hierarchical organisational models towards more participatory governance, the difficulties of cross-sector collaboration and gaps in training and knowledge related to social impact. Participants also identified the specific challenges faced by rural communities, particularly regarding unequal access to education and greater resistance to change.

Despite these challenges, a common message emerged throughout the session: the multiple crises currently affecting society can also create opportunities for deeper transformation, provided organisations are willing to explore new ways of working together.

Looking Ahead

The conclusions from this first session will guide the next stages of the TRAMAS Living Lab. The next meeting, scheduled for autumn 2026, will focus on analysing in greater depth the tensions faced by transformative organisations in their daily work and exploring their underlying causes.

By bringing together stakeholders from different sectors to co-create knowledge and solutions, TRAMAS reflects EUPeace’s commitment to strengthening the role of universities as facilitators of dialogue, innovation and societal transformation through the Living Labs initiative.