Jokin Garatea

Bilbao

Jokin Garatea is the International Business Director at GAIA, the Basque Technology & Knowledge Cluster, and the coordinator of the Basque District of Culture and Creativity (BDCC). A Doctor in Industrial Psychology, he combines legal, organizational, and innovation-driven perspectives to foster cross-sectoral collaboration across technology, culture, and sustainability. Recognized as an international expert in Living Labs, Jokin has significantly contributed to the development, management, and scaling of open innovation ecosystems in Europe. His leadership in this field has led to his active involvement in the European Network of Living Labs (ENoLL), where he serves as member of the Advisory Board and Secretary of the organization. In these roles, he supports the strategic evolution of Living Labs worldwide and promotes methodologies that connect citizens, businesses, researchers, and public authorities in real-life innovation environments. With more than 80 EU-funded projects led or supported throughout his career, Jokin has facilitated partnerships focused on digital transformation, sustainability, creative economy, advanced manufacturing, and territorial innovation. His work at GAIA has been crucial in positioning the Basque Country as an international reference in collaborative innovation and in bridging technology with social and cultural impact. As coordinator of the BDCC, he strengthens the competitiveness of the Basque creative and cultural sector by fostering new business models, professionalization pathways, experimentation spaces, and international collaboration. His approach highlights the cultural and creative industries as strategic drivers for innovation, wellbeing, and regional development. Jokin holds a Law degree from the University of Deusto and a Master’s in Corporate Social Responsibility for Football Clubs, which, combined with his doctoral research, provides him with a holistic understanding of governance, organizational culture, and community-oriented development. His research interests include creativity, psychological factors in innovation processes, and multi-stakeholder governance models. Deeply connected to the Urdaibai Biosphere Reserve, he actively engages in sustainable development initiatives that reinforce the interplay between nature, culture, and technology. Known for his ability to connect people, territories, and ideas, Jokin embodies the spirit of open innovation and collaborative transformation across Europe.