The Impact and Future of Living Labs for European Policies
Brussels, 29 September 2026 (09:00 – 14:00)
The ENoLL Policy Event will open OpenLivingLab Days 2026 with a high-level exchange between policymakers, innovators and the Living Lab community.
At a time of major economic, technological and societal transitions, the event will explore how Living Labs can support more effective, inclusive and evidence-based European policies, while contributing to sustainable competitiveness and innovation uptake.
Discussions will look ahead to future EU priorities, including the Multiannual Financial Framework, highlighting the role of collaborative, real-life experimentation in addressing Europe’s key challenges.
What to expect
The programme will combine strategic insights and practical perspectives, featuring:
- High-level keynote interventions
- Policy-oriented discussions with EU representatives and Living Labs
- Showcasing of impacts generated by Living Labs
- Interactive session with co-creation activities
Venue
The morning session, taking place before lunch, will be held at the European Committee of the Regions (Room VMA 21), Rue Van Maerlant 2, Brussels.
Registration
Participation in the Policy Event is free of charge.
Registration for the Policy Event will be managed through the same registration platform of OLLD26, through the dedicated link.
Places are limited and will be allocated on a first come, first served basis. Once capacity is reached, registrations will be placed on a waiting list.
Who should attend
The event is designed for European policymakers and institutional representatives.
Draft Agenda
| Timeslot | Item | Speakers |
|---|---|---|
| 09:00 – 09:15 | Institutional greetings and welcome |
• Markku Markkula, European Committee of the Regions • Wim De Kinderen, President, ENoLL |
| 09:15 – 09:30 | Keynote Speech | • Jean-David Malo, Acting Director, Directorate A – ERA & Innovation |
| 09:30 – 10:45 |
Policy Dialogue “Living Labs Delivering on European Priorities” How Living Labs can contribute to policy goals, competitiveness, and industrial uptake across strategic domains? Moderated by Martina Desole, Director, ENoLL |
• Henri Delanghe, Head of Unit “Research and Innovation”, DG AGRI, European Commission • Wiebke Pankauke, Head of Unit “Ocean, Seas and Waters”, DG Research and Innovation • Federico Porrà, Policy Officer, EU Mission on Adaptation to Climate Change, DG RTD, European Commission |
| 10:45 – 11:45 |
“Living Labs Delivering on European Priorities” How Living Labs contribute to policy goals, competitiveness, and industrial uptake across strategic domains? Examples from the field Moderated by Martina Desole, Director, ENoLL |
• Wim De Kinderen, Brainport Eindhoven – Eindhoven Living Lab • Evdokimos Konstantinidis, Thessaloniki Action for Health & Wellbeing Living Lab, AUTH • Dimitri Schuurman, iMEC.livinglabs • Francesca Volpe, CHIEAM Food Systems, Agriculture and Rural Development WG • Giulia Campodonico, ENoLL & SOILL Coordinator • Georgia Ayfantopoulou, Thessaloniki Smart Mobility Living Lab |
| 11:45 – 12:00 | Regulatory Learning and Evidence-Based Policymaking | • Representative from the Joint Research Centre |
| 12:00 – 12:20 | High-level closing keynote | • Bart Becks, Board of European Innovation Council EIC (TBC) |
| 12:20 – 12:40 | Final Reflections & Transferability |
• Markku Markkula, European Committee of the Regions • Wim De Kinderen, President, ENoLL |
| 12:40 – 14:00 | Networking Lunch |
Policy Event Partner
The European Committee of the Regions (CoR) is hosting the event but is not responsible for its content