Unai Villalba

Unai Villalba is a Professor at the Department of Applied Economics, Faculty of Economics and Business, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU). His academic work focuses on Social and Solidarity Economy (SSE), socio-ecological transitions, degrowth, and critical development studies, particularly in Latin America. He teaches courses on Sustainable Economics, Post-Development, Buen Vivir, and Solidarity Economy in master's programs at HEGOA and GEZKI institutes.

• Research stays in England and Ecuador
• Doctoral thesis: 'Redefiniciones del Desarrollo y la Cooperación en Ecuador' (2014)
• Key projects: 'Fortalecimiento de capacidades en ESS y transiciones ecosociales en la región andina' (2022), 'Género y ESS en La Paz' (2015)

His research integrates critical theories with practical case studies, emphasizing alternatives to capitalist development through agroecology, cooperatives, and intercooperation. Recent work explores ecosocial transitions in Ecuador and the circular economy in the Basque Country.

Publications span over 40 articles and books on Buen Vivir, ecological debt, decentralized cooperation, and feminist economics. He collaborates with social movements and policy actors to advance solidarity-based economic models.