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The European Network of Living Labs is the world’s leading community of open innovation ecosystems. Living Labs are user-centred, open innovation ecosystems based on a systematic user co-creation approach, integrating research and innovation processes in real-life communities and settings. They are spaces where citizens, companies, researchers, and public authorities come together to co-create, test, and scale solutions in real-life settings.
To ensure that Living Labs across the globe share a common foundation of quality and credibility, ENoLL has developed a Labelling and Certification process. This process acts as a seal of quality, reserved for Living Labs that consistently apply the Living Lab approach in their work, and that aim at being sustainable for a long time. Through this procedure, ENoLL evaluates the maturity, sustainability, and impact of Living Labs using a Harmonised Evaluation Framework. This framework is structured around six areas (building blocks):
All potential Living Labs, thus, undergo a comprehensive structural and methodological quality assessment to evaluate their maturity.
Becoming an ENoLL-certified Living Lab means joining a network of innovation hubs that are recognised globally as standards for user-driven innovation.
Since its creation in 2006, ENoLL has certified more than 500 Living Labs worldwide, strengthening a wide, diverse and international community.
Membership is open year-round to all types of organizations – public or private, large or small, from any sector or country – that operate or host a Living Lab. ENoLL offers four membership categories, reflecting different levels of maturity and engagement: Accepted to Grow Member, Adherent Member, Effective Member, and Innovation Partner.
Value Capturing is a dedicated services offered by ENoLL to support its members in showcasing, monitoring, and strengthening the value they create as Living Labs. It complements the Labelling & Certification process by going beyond recognition: it provides Living Labs with tools, expert feedback, and comparative insights that help them grow as sustainable innovation ecosystems.
This service relies on the same main documents considered in the application phase for certification (the self-assessment and the qualitative form), and it is designed not as an evaluation, but as a capacity-building and collaboration journey.
The main goal is to help ENoLL members in aligning their practices with relevant standards, improve stakeholder engagement and co-creation practices, and reinforce their credibility as long-term, place-based open innovation ecosystems. Value Capturing aims not at measuring performances, but at supporting continuous improvement journey. By highlighting what works well and where there is room to grow, Value Capturing helps members strengthen their position as open innovation ecosystems while building a better future together as a community.
In this way, this service ensures that ENoLL members remain credible, sustainable, and globally recognised leaders in user-driven innovation, while at the same time benefiting from shared learning and mutual growth within the network. Most importantly, Value Capturing is built on exchange and dialogue with our members. It is not a one-way evaluation, but a collaborative process that creates opportunities for learning, reflection, and shared growth across the entire Living Lab community.
Value Capturing is a service offered for free only to ENoLL Members. For ENoLL members it is also a mandatory step, to be undertaken every three years, ensuring that all members continue to evolve and improve. Members who do not take part within five years will need to reapply to the network through the full certification procedure.
Joining ENoLL provides access to a wide range of benefits that enhance your engagement in the dynamic international community of Living Labs. Here’s a summary of the advantages associated with ENoLL membership:
Boost your Living Lab's visibility and credibility by being part of the ENoLL Network. ENoLL certification signifies excellence, underscoring your commitment to high standards in open innovation and establishing your Living Lab as a recognized leader in the field.
Engage with a vibrant international community of Living Labs in collaborative projects across diverse domains. Harness the collective expertise and experiences of fellow members to amplify the impact of your initiatives.
Benefit from the Capacity Building Program, designed to enhance your skills and knowledge within the evolving landscape of Living Labs. Stay ahead of trends and emerging practices through tailored programs that equip your team with the tools to navigate challenges and seize opportunities.
Connect with a broad spectrum of organizations both within Europe and globally. ENoLL facilitates valuable connections through networking events, conferences, thematic sessions, and workshops, creating opportunities for partnerships and knowledge exchange.
Contribute to the decision-making processes of ENoLL by participating in the General Assembly. Share your perspectives and insights to help shape the strategic direction of the Network, ensuring it aligns with the needs and aspirations of the Living Labs community.
Partner with ENoLL in advocacy efforts to advance the interests and recognition of Living Labs worldwide. Engage in initiatives that influence policies, regulations, and public perceptions, positioning Living Labs as key drivers of innovation.
Collaborate within specialized Working Groups focused on specific themes or challenges. These groups offer opportunities for intensive collaboration, problem-solving, and the exchange of best practices among members with shared interests.
ENoLL membership provides your Living Lab with a comprehensive suite of benefits, all within a global network dedicated to advancing open innovation.
Stay connected and inspired! Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest updates, insights, and innovations from our global community of Living Labs.
