Step 4: Co-develop Solutions

Short Definition

In this phase, the Living Lab becomes an active space for co-production, where diverse stakeholders collaborate to design, test, and refine Nature-based Solution (NbS) prototypes. Researchers, citizens, authorities, and businesses work side by side to turn ideas into tangible experiments that address real-world challenges. The process merges ecological engineering with social innovation to ensure that solutions are both environmentally effective and socially inclusive.

Extended Methodology Explanation

The co-development phase transforms planning into practice. It is where the concepts created during co-design take physical form and are tested under real environmental and social conditions. By combining technical expertise with local participation, the Living Lab becomes a site of adaptive experimentation and learning.

1. From Plan to Prototype
Start by selecting priority actions from the co-designed roadmap. For each selected intervention, define clear objectives, expected outcomes, and evaluation criteria. Translate these into small-scale prototypes that can be implemented, observed, and improved before broader replication or scaling.

2. Co-production Principles
Co-development relies on co-production — a collaborative process where all actors share responsibility for creating and testing solutions. Researchers bring methodological and technical knowledge, while community members contribute local expertise, practical insights, and stewardship capacity. This ensures that prototypes reflect both scientific validity and community relevance.

3. Design of Nature-based Solutions (NbS)
Design the prototype interventions using ecological, hydrodynamic, and engineering data. Examples include restoring dunes and wetlands, constructing vegetated buffers, enhancing reef habitats, or creating hybrid infrastructure that integrates natural and built elements. Each design should consider ecological performance, cost-efficiency, maintenance needs, and social co-benefits such as recreation or education.

4. Implementation and Adaptive Experimentation
Deploy the prototypes in real-world settings under monitored conditions. Implementation should be participatory — local communities, volunteers, and stakeholders can assist in planting, construction, and maintenance activities. Regular observation and data collection allow for adaptive learning and refinement as the project progresses.

5. Monitoring and Learning
Establish a monitoring protocol to capture ecological indicators (biodiversity, water quality, sediment stability), socio-economic outcomes (employment, community engagement), and governance aspects (participation and collaboration quality). Regular review sessions within the Community of Practice help identify what works, what doesn’t, and how to adjust.

6. Knowledge Integration and Documentation
Document all stages of the co-development process — from design drawings and workshop notes to field results and stakeholder feedback. The documentation becomes a vital learning resource for replication, training, and policy recommendations. Sharing this knowledge openly supports transparency and wider adoption across other regions.

7. Linking Innovation and Stewardship
Co-developing solutions also strengthens local stewardship and innovation culture. By engaging local actors in experimentation, the Living Lab creates ownership, builds skills, and fosters long-term commitment to environmental restoration and resilience.

Through this process, the Living Lab evolves from a planning framework into a living ecosystem of innovation — continuously generating, testing, and refining ideas that work for both people and nature.