i2CAT Strengthens Global Living Labs Network at Open Living Lab Days 2025

i2CAT research center, through its Digital Society Technologies research group, reaffirmed its global leadership in co-creation and digital social innovation by playing a prominent role at the Open Living Lab Days (OLLD) 2025 in Andorra. The annual flagship event of the European Network of Living Labs (ENoLL), which gathered 350 experts from 44 countries, focused this year on the theme ‘Living Labs for Regenerative Futures’—a vision deeply aligned with i2CAT’s commitment to generating a positive territorial and social impact.

This year’s unique format, where the entire country of Andorra served as a real-world Living Lab, provided an unparalleled platform for i2CAT’s Digital Society Technologies research team to share pioneering methodologies and strategic perspectives on human-centric digital transformation.

Reframing Impact: The Shift from KPIs to Key Value Indicators

A cornerstone of i2CAT’s participation was the critical discussion around how innovation should be measured. In the session ‘Innovation with Purpose: Embedding Values into Living Labs for Sustainable Impact,’ Viviana Pérez Clausen, Senior Innovation Project Manager, along with researcher Fàtima Canseco, explored the need to move beyond traditional Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to Key Value Indicators (KVIs). This strategic approach ensures that innovation directly addresses societal, ethical, and environmental priorities.

The session showcased real-world examples, such as the Interiors Living Lab (AMBIT Cluster) and the Alimara Living Lab (CETT Barcelona), demonstrating how research is operationalizing values like wellbeing, social inclusion, and trust at the heart of the innovation process.

Systemic Transformation and Global Reach

Researchers from Digital Society Technologies presented strategies for scaling Living Lab methodologies to address regional and global challenges:

• Living Labs 2.0 for EU Regions: Artur Serra, Deputy Director, co-led a session on how Living Labs can evolve from isolated pilots into integrated cross-sectoral regional ecosystems, becoming engines for long-term, regenerative change—ecologically, socially, and economically.
• Empowering Africa: Marta Martorell, Director of the Digital Society Technologies Group, and Viviana Pérez Clausen presented the work of Living Labs in Senegal and South Africa. This session highlighted how co-creation methodologies support locally-driven, inclusive solutions for digital transformation across the African continent.
• Innovation in Education: Artur Serra also shared insights into embedding Living Lab principles into educational systems, using experiences like the LiCalab case, where gamification (escape rooms) transforms complex topics into engaging co-creation tools for students and educators, reinforcing our flexible approach.

i2CAT’s active presence at OLLD 2025 solidifies its role as a key member of ENoLL, driving the international debate toward an innovation model that is not only technologically advanced but also profoundly committed to people and the territory.