Step 7: Learn from Replications with Associated Regions (ARs)
Short Definition
This step focuses on transferring and adapting successful Nature-based Solution (NbS) approaches to new ecological and social contexts through collaboration between Lighthouse sites and Associated Regions (ARs). Replication allows the Living Lab to expand its impact by sharing tested methods, lessons learned, and innovations, while ensuring that each new site tailors the approach to its local needs and conditions.
Extended Methodology Explanation
Replication is the bridge between local success and wider transformation. It ensures that the insights, tools, and NbS models developed in one Living Lab are effectively transferred, adapted, and validated in other coastal regions with different environmental, social, and governance realities.
1. Purpose and Scope
The goal of replication is not to copy solutions exactly but to contextualize innovation — applying proven approaches to new locations in ways that respect local ecosystems, governance systems, and community values. Replication expands the network of impact and fosters a culture of shared learning across regions.
2. Knowledge Transfer Framework
Replication builds on the principles of knowledge transfer and adaptive learning. It combines structured documentation (methods, data, governance models) with hands-on collaboration between Lighthouse and Associated Regions. Knowledge transfer should be two-way, allowing new sites to contribute back to the collective understanding of what works.
3. Peer-to-Peer Exchange and Capacity Building
Organize regular cross-site workshops, study visits, and mentoring sessions to facilitate direct exchange of experience. These interactions help partners understand contextual challenges and identify which parts of the original approach can be maintained or need adaptation. Training sessions and technical webinars ensure that local teams acquire the skills needed to replicate the NbS effectively.
4. Comparative Analysis
Encourage each participating region to document its process, outcomes, and lessons learned. Comparative analysis across sites helps identify the enabling conditions that determine success, such as governance frameworks, financing mechanisms, or community engagement strategies. This analytical dimension strengthens the scientific validity of replication efforts.
5. Adaptation and Local Innovation
Each Associated Region modifies the blueprint of the original solution to fit its own ecological and socio-political conditions. This may involve selecting different species, redesigning monitoring systems, or developing locally appropriate governance models. Adaptation is viewed as an essential step that enhances resilience and relevance.
6. Co-learning and Evaluation
Establish continuous feedback between Lighthouse and AR sites to share monitoring results, performance data, and stakeholder feedback. Online platforms and digital dashboards can support transparent knowledge exchange and joint reflection. Co-learning ensures that all partners benefit equally from replication outcomes.
7. Outcome and Integration
The replication process results in a portfolio of context-specific NbS applications and a shared evidence base demonstrating scalability. These collective experiences are integrated into the overall Living Lab blueprint, enriching its methodology and strengthening its long-term sustainability.
Replication transforms isolated innovation into a living network of practice — linking regions, building capacity, and creating a shared pathway toward resilient and adaptive coastal ecosystems.