The Platform on Refugees is a network for collaboration, knowledge exchange and the sharing of experiences between teachers, researchers and students of the Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM), with the aim of contributing to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), through the development of collaborative action and multidisciplinary projects in refugee camps.
The Platform is made up of seven schools of the UPM, linked together through their respective working groups: ETS de Arquitectura de Madrid (School of Architecture – ICHaB), ETS de Ingenieros de Telecomunicación (School of Telecommunications) – Instituto de Energía Solar (Institute for Solar Energy), ETS de Ingenieros Informáticos (School of Computer Engineering – TEDECO), ETS de Ingeniería Agronómica, Alimentaria y de Biosistemas (School of Agriculture, Food and Biosystems – CEIGRAM), ETS de Ingeniería y Diseño Industrial (School of Industrial Engineers) – (Associate Researchers), ETS de Ingeniería y Diseño Industrial (School of Engineering and Industrial Design – AS and Development), and the Innovation and Technology for Development Centre (itdUPM), which acts as a facilitator for Alianza Shire.
Alianza Shire is a multi-stakeholder partnership, established by two leading Spanish companies and a corporate foundation for energy and lighting (Iberdrola, Signify and Fundación acciona.org), the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID) and the Innovation and Technology for Development Centre of the Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (itdUPM). In addition, Alianza Shire works closely with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). This partnership is envisioned as an innovation platform to improve access to energy for refugees and their host communities; developing innovative and sustainable initiatives for access to energy, energy and lighting services, launching training programs, and sharing lessons learned within the international humanitarian community.
itdUPM acts as a facilitator for Alianza Shire, serving as a link between the UPM Platform on Refugees and Alianza Shire.
