Innovating Together

Innovating Together: The Living Lab Approach

Living Labs are open innovation ecosystems in real-life environments based on a systematic user co-creation approach that integrates research and innovation activities in communities and/or multi-stakeholder environments, placing citizens and/or end-users at the centre of the innovation process.

The concept ‘Living Lab’ is used for the organisation that innovates according to these principles, but also refers to the innovation projects that follow these guidelines and also links with specific activities, methods and tools within these innovation projects. Therefore, a distinction can be made between a Living Lab organization, a Living Lab project and Living Lab activities, methods and tools (meso, miso, macro).

Living Labs as real-life test and experimentation environments, foster co-creation and open innovation among the main actors of the Quadruple Helix Model, namely:

ONCODIR’s Living Labs: Driving Real-World Impact

Serves as a real-world testing and co-creation environment, engaging citizens, clinicians, and policymakers. Supports the development and validation of colorectal cancer (CRC) prevention tools.

Facilitates collaborative innovation among end users, healthcare professionals, and decision-makers. Ensures feedback-driven refinement of key tools (NELI, DEPO, and DELI)

Acts as a dynamic platform for dissemination, raising awareness through workshops, pilot testing, and real-world applications. Encourages community-driven adoption of CRC prevention solutions.

Strategic Goals of ONCODIR’s Living Labs

  • Visibility and Impact: By engaging with communities and healthcare systems, the Living Labs raise awareness about ONCODIR’s work, ensuring that its prevention strategies are visible and impactful across Europe.

  • Evidence-Based Policy Recommendations: Through hands-on testing and data collection, the Living Labs provide insights and suggestions that support national and regional cancer strategies, fostering policies that enhance CRC prevention.
  • Communication Kit: A comprehensive communication kit will be made available to partners, supporting effective awareness-raising efforts and making project resources accessible to all stakeholders.
Living lab coordinator

Lithuanian University of Health Sciences

Irina.kolomiiets@lsmu.lt