The European Network of Living Labs (ENoLL) is the international federation of benchmarked Living Labs in Europe and worldwide. Living Labs are defined as user-centred, open innovation ecosystems based on a systematic user co-creation approach integrating research and innovation processes in real life communities and settings. In practice, Living Labs place the citizen at the centre of innovation, and have thus shown the ability to better mould the opportunities offered by new ICT concepts and solutions to the specific needs and aspirations of local contexts, cultures, and creativity potentials.
ENoLL identifies 5 key elements that should be present in a living lab: 1) active user involvement; 2) real-life setting; 3) multi-stakeholder participation; 4) a multi-method approach and 5) co-creation. ENoLL aims to support co-creative, human-centric and user-driven research, development and innovation in order to better cater for people’s needs. The core of ENoLL is formed by its members and partners which vary between a) effective members b) adherent members and c) innovation partners. Living Labs can be characterised as small local ecosystems that provide breeding ground for making new connections between various actors. In reality it is challenging to really move beyond usual suspects; additionally the (financial) sustainability of living labs is a constant struggle since many initiatives rely on subsidy. The network ENoLL is professionally organized and staffed and in terms of funding it relies on membership fees and diverse project funding that is the result of the active acquisition of the ENoLL staff.
Social Innovation Initiatives in the Critical Turning Points-database
Living Labs - Living Lab Eindhoven (Netherlands)
Living Labs - Sfax Smart Living Lab (Tunisia)
Living Labs - Imec living labs (former iMinds Living Labs) (Belgium)
Living Labs - Laurea (Finland)
Social Innovation Initiatives studied in-depth
Living Lab Eindhoven (Netherlands)
Reports
Ruijsink, S., Smith, A. (2016) Transformative Social Innovation: European Network of Living Labs : summary report. TRANSIT: EU SSH.2013.3.2-1 Grant agreement no: 613169
Ruijsink, S. and Smith, A. (2016) WP 4 : case study Living Labs, TRANSIT: EU SSH.2013.3.2-1 Grant agreement no: 613169
Research Coordination: IHS– Saskia Ruijsink
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