DATE & TIME
1 October 2025
14:00 – 15:15
TRACKS
TRACK 1: Living Labs for Grand Societal Challenges
TRACK 2: Living Labs for Policies, Governance, collaboration and innovation ecosystems
ROOM
Sala d’Actes
TARGET AUDIENCE
Policymakers, companies & entrepreneurs, research & academia, LL representative and practitioners
TYPE OF SESSION
Topic debate
Description
Major European strategies, including the EU Soil Monitoring Law, the EU Restoration Law, or the Climate Law, as well as international commitments such as the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, set a bold ambition: to regenerate the natural systems that sustain life and human wellbeing. Achieving these goals requires not only policies, but new approaches connecting innovation to real-world action. Living Labs offer a unique approach to this challenge — user-centred, open, and collaborative ecosystems that bridge local realities with global objectives. Co-organised with the SOILL project, this session will explore how Living Labs contribute to regenerative futures by supporting the restoration of critical ecosystems such as soil, forests, and water. Bringing together representatives from the European Commission, IUCN, and leading Living Labs, the session will showcase how local innovation ecosystems can accelerate the implementation of restoration efforts at both European and global levels. Reflecting the overarching theme of OLLD25 — Living Labs for Regenerative Futures: Connecting Local and Global Innovation Ecosystems, the session will offer concrete insights into how Living Labs and user-driven collaboration can drive systemic regenerative change.
Agenda
Time | Item | Speaker |
|---|---|---|
| 14:00 – 14:10 | Introduction: Living Labs for ecosystem regeneration |
|
| 14:07 – 14:40 | Presentation: Nature restoration: EU policy context and implementation toolbox |
|
| 14:40 – 15:10 | Focus session – How Living Labs drive soil, water, and forestry regeneration:
|
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| 15:10 – 15:15 | Closing reflections: key lessons and future pathways |
|
Speakers
Giulia Campodonico
Head of Projects, ENoLL & Coordinator of the SOILL-Startup Project
Giulia Campodonico
Head of Projects, ENoLL & Coordinator of the SOILL-Startup ProjectSince joining ENoLL in 2022, Giulia has coordinated the preparation of more than 60 proposals to European funding opportunities, with more than 30% of success rate as partner and 100% success rate as Coordinator. Alongside, Giulia is supporting the implementation of the 20 active projects of the organization and coordinating the SOILL and SOILL-Startup projects supporting the Mission Soil Health Living Labs. Before ENoLL, she has led for 9 years the EU proposals team of the Italian Institute of Technology where she coordinated the preparation of 80+ collaborative projects proposals per year in various applied research themes as Robotics & AI, Computation, Smart and nano materials, and Life sciences. She is also an experienced trainer on EU affairs and EU funding, bridging her hands-on experience on proposal and project management with deep knowledge of the EU policy landscape. Before ENoLL, she has led for 9 years the EU proposals team of the Italian Institute of Technology where she coordinated the preparation of 80+ collaborative projects proposals per year in various applied research themes as Robotics & AI, Computation, Smart and nano materials, and Life sciences. She is also an experienced trainer on EU affairs and EU funding, bridging her hands-on experience on proposal and project management with deep knowledge of the EU policy landscape.
Alexandra Vakrou
Head of Unit at the European Commission's Directorate-General for Environment (DG ENV)
Alexandra Vakrou
Head of Unit at the European Commission's Directorate-General for Environment (DG ENV)Alexandra Vakrou is currently Head of Green Knowledge and Research Hub, LIFE Unit in the Directorate for General Affairs, Knowledge and Resources at the Directorate-General for Environment (DG ENV) in the European Commission. She leads teams in charge of the management of the LIFE programme, the coordination of work with the European Environment Agency and the JRC, the co-creation activity of Cluster 6 of Horizon briefings, as well as environmental knowledge and foresight. Ms Vakrou has worked for nearly three decades in European affairs and environment holding various positions in DG Environment and DG Climate Action. Before joining the Commission, she worked for 6 years as researcher on various environmental, agriculture, economic and forestry issues in the National Agricultural Research Foundation of Greece, as well as for 3 years in the Greek Forest Service. Ms Vakrou is a forester and holds a PhD in Environmental and Forest Economics from the University of Aberdeen, Scotland, UK. She has co-authored many scientific articles and is one of the co-authors of the TEEB (The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity) reports.
Uchechi Obinna
Researcher, Center for Expertise Water Technology
Uchechi Obinna
Researcher, Center for Expertise Water TechnologyDr. Uchechi Obinna is a researcher at the Center of Expertise Water Technology (CEW) Leeuwarden Netherlands, a knowledge and innovation centre for applied research and product development in the field of water technology. CEW, together with Wetsus and Water Alliance are the managing partners of the Water Campus Innovation Ecosystem in Leeuwarden, where scientific, applied research and businesses in the area of water technology are combined. With a background in Environmental sciences and Environmental & Energy Management, he is involved in connecting water technologies to broader social and societal topics, International project development & management, & Water-oriented living labs development and facilitation.
Alexia Stokes
Senior scientist, INRAE Montpellier
Alexia Stokes
Senior scientist, INRAE MontpellierStudying vegetation in different biomes around the world, Alexia Stokes focuses on plant root growth and biophysical interactions in soil. She uses knowledge to find solutions for stabilizing soil on slopes and improving tree anchorage during storms. More recently working on microbial interactions in soil, Alexia aims to link belowground biodiversity with soil structure and examine the implications for ecosystem services. Alexia has published more than 140 journal papers and edited three books since her PhD at the University of York (UK).
Marta Domènech
Director & Researcher, Andorra Research + Innovation, (Andorra Living Lab)
Marta Domènech
Director & Researcher, Andorra Research + Innovation, (Andorra Living Lab)As Research Coordinator at Andorra Research + Innovation (AR+I), Marta brings over 20 years of experience in strategic research leadership, managing multidisciplinary teams and complex projects in landscape and forest management. With a Ph.D. in Forest Engineering, her expertise lies in sustainable mountain resource management, forest fire prevention, and adaptation to global change. She focuses on developing innovative strategies to ensure water availability and ecosystem resilience in mountain regions. At AR+I, she leads efforts to align scientific research with territorial innovation, driving cross-sector collaboration to generate high-impact, actionable solutions. Her leadership combines strategic vision with practical execution, fostering high-performing teams and ensuring results in complex environments.
Ewelina Czujko – Moszyk
Project Manager,PCSS – Poznań Supercomputing and Networking Center
Ewelina Czujko – Moszyk
Project Manager,PCSS – Poznań Supercomputing and Networking CenterEwelina Czujko - Moszyk works in a research center – PSNC Future Labs – located in Poznań, Poland. As a project manager, she coordinates diverse projects in such areas as energy & environment, health and education. Being a living lab methodology enthusiast, she has been successfully spreading living lab ideas, tolls and methods locally in municipalities, hospitals, clinics and libraries. She strives to engage in social projects which change lives and contribute to protecting our planet.
Yannis Fallas
Director, CluBE
Yannis Fallas
Director, CluBEDr. Yannis Fallas, a Mining Engineer from NTUA, has a PhD on ”Clusters in Traditional Sectors” from Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece. He established and is currently the Director of the Bioeconomy and Environment Cluster in Western Macedonia (CluBE) with more than 60 members from the quintuple helix of the regional economy, where he coordinates the efforts of more than 50 employees on more than 50 European Innovation projects. Representing CluBE, he is a member of international networks at European and global level, acting as the ambassador of Western Macedonia to the rest of the world.
Victorine Che Thöner
Senior Programme Officer, Forest and Grasslands, IUCN
Victorine Che Thöner
Senior Programme Officer, Forest and Grasslands, IUCNEnvironmental justice expert with 15+ years fo global experience in policy, campaigning, and program design. Main focus on synergies between biodiversity and climate agendas advocating for equity-centred environmental action and reparative justice. Work closely with Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities with a focus on co-powering. investing in their growth and recognising the value they bring.