EcoDaLLi has successfully established and launched its Living Lab system, engaging 535 stakeholders in co-creating solutions for improving water management, biodiversity protection, and climate change adaptation in the Danube River Basin. The Living Labs also explore their potential as a governance tool within the basin. Four workshops, addressing local and regional challenges in water quality, biodiversity, climate change, and the circular/blue economy, were organized across the four Danube units. These workshops provided the foundation for discussions within the Living Labs. The Danube Practices Living Lab system was developed as a tool to capture stakeholder engagement and perspectives on topics related to the Mission Ocean's objectives, particularly wetland restoration. A methodology for assessing Mission-relevant Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) was developed to support innovation developers and policymakers in implementing and scaling innovative NBS projects. A baseline analysis of NBS best practices and innovative ecosystem-based practices was conducted, with the results made available in dedicated catalogues to guide and inform stakeholders. The EcoDaLLi portal, designed to serve as the main repository for all project results, provides a space for stakeholders and citizens to access and benefit from EcoDaLLi’s work. Additionally, EcoDaLLi has actively collaborated with the Innovation Action projects of the Lighthouse, involving them in its Living Labs and establishing the Danube Lighthouse Roadmap. This roadmap includes dedicated Task Forces that foster cooperation and joint initiatives.
In the second project period, EcoDaLLi has successfully collected a list of policy recommendations for NBS implementation. These recommendations provide insights for regional and national authorities, supporting the integration of NBS into policy frameworks. Additionally, a shared vision on spatial policies for the protection and restoration of freshwater ecosystems and biodiversity was developed and a collection of recommendations for innovation potential, innovation upscaling and citizen engagement techniques was elaborated providing an in-depth analysis of observed practices, barriers, and enabling factors across the Danube region. The testing of the Practice Living Lab System was completed and its results evaluated, resulting in the final engagement questionnaire for stakeholders and citizens to support the design phase of Living Labs in stakeholder identification, engagement strategy development, and support for cross-project innovation coordination. Furthermore, a training session was conducted that provided valuable insights and practical knowledge to innovation actors, helping them navigate the complexities of innovation within the Danube River Basin. More training sessions will follow, focusing on the assessed needs of innovators in the region.
