Establish Project Community of Practice (CoP) & Launch Living Lab (LL)

Step 1: Establish Project CoP & Launch Living Lab

Short Definition

A Community of Practice (CoP) is the social backbone of the Living Lab — a transdisciplinary network that brings together citizens, public authorities, researchers, and businesses to address shared challenges. It functions as a collaborative platform where participants learn, exchange, and co-create solutions. The CoP launches the Living Lab by setting a common purpose, defining governance structures, agreeing on engagement rules, and identifying the first actions for implementation

Extended Methodology Explanation

Launching a Living Lab begins with establishing a strong and inclusive Community of Practice. This community forms the foundation for all subsequent stages of the Living Lab cycle. It ensures that all voices — from local residents to policymakers and industry partners — are represented and engaged in shaping the direction of the project.

1. Mapping and Inclusion
Start by identifying all relevant actors across the quadruple helix: citizens and community organizations, public authorities, private sector partners, and research institutions. A good CoP reflects the diversity of the ecosystem and guarantees that knowledge, experience, and decision-making power are balanced.

2. CoP Charter and Governance
Once the core members are identified, co-develop a charter that defines the shared vision, objectives, and principles of collaboration. Governance mechanisms should clarify roles, responsibilities, communication channels, and ethical standards. This formal agreement ensures transparency, trust, and accountability among participants.

3. Communication and Engagement
Launch internal and external communication channels — newsletters, mailing lists, or online forums — to facilitate regular interaction and knowledge exchange. Early meetings should focus on establishing a sense of shared ownership and identifying quick, achievable actions to build momentum.

4. Capacity and Learning
Provide capacity-building sessions and short learning workshops to help participants understand the Living Lab concept, innovation principles, and data governance requirements. These sessions ensure all stakeholders can participate meaningfully and confidently.

5. Early Deliverables and Evaluation
Define the first set of tangible outputs, such as a baseline mapping of local challenges, a stakeholder database, or the first draft of a co-designed action plan. Create simple indicators to track engagement quality, participation diversity, and learning progress.

By following these steps, the Community of Practice becomes a living social structure — open, adaptive, and capable of driving collaborative innovation for coastal resilience and sustainability.