On September 23-27, 2024 the European Network of Living Labs (ENoLL), in collaboration with the West University of Timișoara, organized the OpenLivingLab Days 2024, a global living lab congress, which took place in Timișoara, Romania. It is a global It is the global gathering of international Living Labs that brings together living labbers, public officials, corporate leaders, entrepreneurs, academics, and innovators from around the world.
„Living Labs“ are open innovation ecosystems in real environments, based on a systematic user co-creation approach that integrates research and innovation activities into community/multilateral settings, with citizens and/or end-users at the center of the innovation process.
The theme of the 2024 event was „Living Labs Frontiers: Driving systemic change through Soci(et)al Engagement, for real impact“. The event offered a unique platform for networking, exchanging best practices, collaborating on cutting-edge projects, and reflecting on the latest trends and how to shape the future.
The event took place over 4 days and was attended by representatives from all European countries, as well as the United States, Canada, Ecuador, Colombia, Mexico, Japan, India, Taiwan, South Korea, Australia, South Africa, Senegal, Kenya, Nigeria, Tunisia, Zambia, Turkey, and Israel (over 340 participants in total). The event included a global scientific conference, 15 research sessions, 13 workshops, presentations of 40 selected scientific publications on the topic of Living Labs, a brokerage event, and site visits to established Living Labs in Timișoara.
Participants had the opportunity to take part in a range of interactive workshops-trainings, research sessions and seminars, and visit Living Labs in operation. The event showcased how Living Labs can become platforms for addressing major societal challenges, discussed the vital roles of Living Labs in shaping the policy and governance of open and responsible innovation ecosystems, explored how Living Labs can become tools for promoting the inclusion of diverse groups, and presented how Living Labs are becoming essential platforms for helping companies and societies to adapt to new technologies. It provided an opportunity to delve into the detailed aspects of living labs, the tools they use, the services they develop, the innovative business models, and their social impact.
The Lithuanian delegation was formed and partly funded by the Lithuanian Research Council. Lithuania was represented by 10 scientists and innovators from different universities and research institutes: VILNIUS TECH, Kaunas University of Technology Food Institute, Klaipėda University, Lithuanian Health Sciences University, Academy of Agriculture of Vytautas Magnus University, Šiauliai Academy of Vilnius University, Nature Research Centre, Lithuanian Research Centre for Agriculture and Forestry and Lithuanian Centre for Social Sciences.
The Lithuanian Centre for Social Sciences (LCSS) was represented at the event by Dr. Rita Lankauskienė, Department of Business Ecosystems at the Institute of Economics and Rural Development. During the event, the representative of the LCSS participated in the workshop of the international training to learn various methodologies for the development and implementation of Living Labs. Plenary session and targeted research sessions ("Research" track) disclosed the prospects on the applicability of existing Living Labs in different countries, the effectiveness of the creation and implementation of open ecosystems for responsible innovation, the challenges faced and success factors. R.Lankauskienė joined the newly established during the event ENoLL Research Group.
New collaborations were established with scientists and Living Lab entrepreneurs from Australia, Canada, Japan, South Korea, the United States of America, Belgium, Greece, Romania, South Africa, and other countries, thanks to the active participation in the contact brokerage event. In addition, close cooperation was established within the Lithuanian delegation.
Soon, the Lithuanian Centre for Social Sciences staff will be invited to learn more about the concept of Living Labs, ENoLL and the opportunities they offer for research and development.
More information about the event is available online: https://openlivinglabdays.com/
For more information please contact: dr. Rita Lankauskienė, rita.lankauskiene@ekvi.lt
© Citation must be accompanied by the source and website address.