Implementing living labs to support local climate change adaptation and resilience strategies using a system innovation approach

Climate change impacts in Europe are accelerating, creating urgent adaptation needs across diverse local contexts. This paper presents the implementation of a Systems Innovation Approach (SIA) through living labs to co-design climate resilience strategies in nine European case studies. SIA provides a structured, participatory framework for systemic change through a stepwise approach enabling the development of tailor-made sustainability strategies by co-designing a portfolio of short, mid, and long-term innovative solutions. Living labs can successfully support open innovation ecosystems by enabling knowledge exchange, trust-building, and co-creation of tailored innovation pathways for adaptation. Results demonstrate that through the SIA, living lab can enhance stakeholder networks and capacity building, co-create knowledge and mutual understanding across a diversity of stakeholders while fostering actionable strategies. However, challenges remain regarding sustaining living labs beyond project funding, maintaining engagement, and bridging planning-to-implementation gaps. The paper concludes with recommendations for institutionalizing living labs within governance frameworks to accelerate Europe's transition toward climate resilience.