OpenLivingLab Days is the flagship annual event organised by the European Network of Living Labs (ENoLL). As the global gathering of international Living Labs, it brings together living labbers, public officials, academics, corporate leaders, entrepreneurs, and innovators from around the world. The event offers a unique platform for networking, exchanging best practices, collaborating on cutting-edge projects, and for reflecting on the latest trends.
The 2026 edition of OpenLivingLab Days will start in Brussels, with a Policy Event held on 29 September that will foster high-level dialogue between EU institutions and the Living Lab community. During this event, we will present impact results to support EU policies in view of the upcoming Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) and discuss how Living Labs can further contribute under future funding programmes to address key societal challenges.
The OpenLivingLab Days conference will continue in Antwerp on 30 September and 1 October, with panels, workshops, and presentation of research papers, followed by a day of site visits to Belgian Living Labs on 2 October.
LIVING LABS IMPACTS AND VALUES FOR A CHANGING WORLD
This year’s theme, “Living Labs Impacts and Values for a Changing World,” reflects both a moment of reflection and a forward-looking ambition. After more than two decades of Living Lab practice, it is time to critically assess the tangible impacts these initiatives have generated for communities, industries, and policymakers. Measuring and demonstrating this impact is essential to strengthen credibility, guide future investments, and ensure that Living Labs continue to deliver meaningful societal value.
At the same time, the rapidly evolving geopolitical, environmental, and socio-economic context makes the foundational values of Living Labs more important than ever. Openness, transparency, collaboration, inclusivity, and co-creation provide stable reference points in uncertain times. By combining strong values with real-world experimentation and stakeholder engagement, Living Labs can foster resilient, responsible innovation and help societies navigate complexity and change.
This theme therefore invites both reflection on past achievements and renewed commitment to the values that position Living Labs as trusted drivers of positive transformation in a changing world.
At OpenLivingLab Days, attendees will have the opportunity to contribute to and participate in various panel sessions, hands-on workshops, research paper discussions, and site visits.
Throughout these activities, participants will explore how Living Labs create meaningful impact and deliver value to communities, while also examining their vital role in shaping policymaking and governance within innovation ecosystems.
The conference will explore five different tracks that form the core of the event.
Track 1 examines how Living Labs can serve as platforms for addressing challenges related to health and well-being, climate change, energy and transport, agriculture, and natural resources. Discussions will focus on the transformative potential of Living Labs, which act as drivers for systemic change. By fostering collaboration and innovation, Living Labs provide an opportunity to co-create, test, and implement innovative solutions.
This track will explore the transformative potential of Living Labs in tackling complex societal challenges and promoting regenerative approaches.
Track 2 highlights the vital role of Living Labs in shaping policy-making and governance, within innovation ecosystems. This track welcomes sessions and papers that showcase how Living Labs facilitate policy experimentation, enabling policymakers to evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of new policies in real-world settings.
It also explores how Living Labs contribute to the governance of innovation ecosystems by fostering collaboration among diverse stakeholders. This track aims to further discussions on the crucial role of Living Labs in promoting evidence-based, iterative, and collaborative approaches to policy-making and governance within innovation ecosystems.
Track 3 emphasises how Living Labs can become vehicles for fostering inclusive engagement across diverse groups, including those related to equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI), gender, citizen engagement strategies, and citizen science.
The track welcomes panel sessions, hands-on workshops and papers shedding light on how to design, implement, and evaluate Living Labs to amplify voices that are often marginalised or underrepresented, ensuring that the outcomes of Living Labs initiatives are reflective of society’s broader diversity.
Gender dynamics will be a focal point, with discussions on how Living Labs can contribute to breaking down gender barriers in innovation and fostering environments that are inclusive and accessible to all. By nurturing inclusivity in Living Labs, the track aims to promote systemic regenerative change, recognising the transformative potential of these environments in addressing societal challenges in ways that are equitable, diverse, and inclusive.
Track 4 focuses on how Living Labs serve as crucial platforms to support businesses adoption and adaptation of emerging technologies. This track welcomes panel sessions, hands-on workshops and papers that explore how Living Labs can accelerate the development of new technologies, focusing on strategies that prepare these labs for emerging technologies such as blockchain, Artificial Intelligence, and the Internet of Things (IoT).
Discussions will also address the concept of Living Labs as Testing and Experimentation Facilities (TEFs) and regulatory sandboxes, allowing for the safe and controlled testing of new technologies in real-world environments. Moreover, the track explores how Living Labs support business and industry, serving as platforms for innovation and collaboration between stakeholders.
In addition, the track will also discuss how Living Labs can contribute to the derisking of innovation and the early adoption of emerging technologies by providing a controlled and collaborative environment for testing and validation.
Track 5 explores the operational aspects of Living Labs, including their tools, services, business models, and the measurement of their impact. This track features panel sessions, hands-on workshops and papers that examine how Living Labs structuring and management, their service offer, the types of tools they use, and the business models they employ.
Discussions will also address the harmonization of Living Labs services to ensure that they are compatible and interoperable with other services. Through these discussions, the track aims to provide insights into the operational aspects of Living Labs and their impact on innovation, economic development, and society, positioning them along the whole R&I ecosystems value chain.
What to expect
The OpenLivingLab Days is a unique international event featuring an array of interactive discussions, hands-on workshops, research paper presentations, and networking opportunities. As the world’s largest gathering of Living Labs professionals, it allows participants to learn and contribute to the latest developments in the field of Living Labs exchanging with the most experienced and innovative peers in their fields.
The conference will feature a mixture of learning opportunities, exchanges, and debates on relevant topics for the Living Lab community. With presentations from high-level speakers and industry experts, attendees can expect to gain valuable insights into the latest research findings, methodologies, and innovative solutions.
The four-day programme will take attendees through two cities, Brussels and Antwerp:
- 29 September: Policy Event (Brussels), bringing together European policymakers and living labbers to kick-start key discussions and shape future perspectives. Running in parallel, the Learning Lab training sessions will offer an opportunity to deepen your Living Labs knowledge through interactive and hands-on training activities.
- 30 September – 1 October: OpenLivingLab Days will continue in the scenic venue of the “A Room with a ZOO” in Antwerp, with a conference format. Over two engaging days, participants can look forward to panel sessions, research sessions, hands-on workshops, exhibitions, and thought-provoking debates on key topics.
- 2 October: the programme concludes with a final day dedicated to exploration. Participants will have the opportunity to discover the Belgian Living Lab ecosystem through curated site visits to leading Living Labs across various locations in Belgium.
We are dedicated to hosting an environmentally sustainable conference. To achieve this goal, we are implementing various measures. We urge all participants to prioritise sustainability for their transportation, we will source products for local and vegan / vegetarian menus, as well as using plastic-free alternatives.
Co-create the agenda
At the heart of the event are the panel sessions, hands-on workshops, and research sessions, designed to create a dynamic space for collaboration, dialogue, and knowledge exchange. These sessions offer participants the opportunity to actively contribute, share insights, and shape the conversations that matter most.
Take the chance to play an active role to shape OpenLivingLab Days 2026 by responding to the open calls for panel sessions, hands-on workshops and research sessions.
Exhibition booths
The exhibition area will be located within the “Room with a ZOO” venue in Antwerp and will be open on 30 September and 1 October. This space will serve as a space for establishing new professional connections, fostering potential collaborations, and staying up-to-date with the latest developments in the Living Lab community.
Networking and social events
The conference will provide a variety of networking opportunities outside the conference rooms, for attendees to connect and collaborate with professionals from diverse fields. These opportunities are designed to facilitate meaningful connections and collaborations among attendees.
On 30 September, the Social & Networking Dinner will take center stage as the highlight of OLLD’s networking and social program. This special evening offers attendees a unique opportunity to build meaningful connections, exchange ideas, and strengthen professional relationships, all in a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere.
Whether participants seek to expand their network, gain insights from peers, or simply unwind and have fun, there will be something for everyone!
Are you a newcomer to the community? Join the The Learning Lab
The Learning Lab is a one-day training offered to Living Lab newcomers, and Living Lab enthusiasts in the local ecosystem, allowing them to learn all about the key elements and operations of Living Labs. The Learning Lab will take place on 29 September 2026 in Brussels, parallel to the Policy Event. An additional ticket is required to access the Learning Lab training.