The NEOLAiA alliance also gathered online on this date for the second Living Lab Hub session, which brought together researchers and delegates from partner universities across Europe. The discussion centred on how Living Labs can serve as catalysts for collaborative research, citizen engagement and long-term societal impact. Decio Rinaldi from the Technology Transfer Office was also present.
A key theme that emerged was the importance of mapping ongoing initiatives. Delegates emphasised the importance of showcasing participatory research projects and specific Living Lab collaborations to increase visibility through the NEOLAiA website.
The conversation also turned to strategy. Should the Living Lab programme concentrate on strengthening existing initiatives, expand to broader partnerships with schools, industries and public authorities, or focus on ambitious pilot projects with long-term sustainability? While opinions differed, there was a shared commitment to reaching NEOLAiA’s target of ten collaborative projects by 2027.
Sustainability emerged as a central challenge. Participants agreed that Living Labs should act as open innovation ecosystems, recognisable ‘windows’ through which citizens, industries and institutions can contribute to shaping research, rather than being limited to short-term projects.
The University of Salerno proposed scaling up Greenopoly, an environmental education project developed by Prof. Giovanni De Feo, across the alliance. Other initiatives span healthcare, digital education, and social transformation, offering fertile ground for new synergies.
