Periodic Reporting for period 1 - GILL (Gendered Innovation Living Labs)
Berichtszeitraum: 2023-01-01 bis 2023-12-31
Living Labs (LLs) are open innovation ecosystems in real-life environments based on a systematic user co-creation approach that integrates research and innovation activities in communities, placing citizens at the centre of innovation.
The EU-funded GILL project develops a pan-European collaboration and learning hub based on the LL principles as the framework for all European actors for open-gendered innovation. The project co-creates sustainable mechanisms to increase Gender-Responsive Smart Innovation and Entrepreneurship (GRSIE).
GILL focuses on organisational and cultural changes, professional development, gender and diversity integration into product design, technologies and innovation while empowering gendered educational practices.
The project encourages co-creation practices based on open innovation among the main actors of the quadruple helix model (citizens, government, industry, and academia).
Objective
GILL, coordinated by ENoLL, the largest network of Living Labs, develops a pan-European collaboration and learning hub based on the Living Lab principles to become the open innovation framework for all European actors for open gendered innovation. The GILL “Living Labs” co-create sustainable mechanisms to increase GRSIE by fixing practices and culture across the European ecosystems.
GILL focuses on 4 macro-objectives: a) to enable the organisational and cultural changes, b) to enhance professional development, c) to increase the integration of gender and diversity into product design, technologies, and innovation, and d) to allow gendered educational practices. In parallel, GILL actions act along a matrix of horizontal spheres of innovation (individual & team, tools & methods, innovation & products, societal processes) and three vertical priorities (Health and resilience, Green & Digital transition).
GILL is implemented through an iterative co-creation approach structured on a four-phases cycle - understand, co-design, implement, evaluate - repeated twice to incorporate the feedback and evaluation results in fine-tuned and validated results. Through this cycle, GILL will deliver a systemic review of barriers to GRSIE leading to the co-design of proven methodologies, services, and tools for GRSIE to be made available on a sustainable and easy to use platform. Within GILL, 15 Action-Oriented Experimentations (AOEs) in 8 European countries develop new approaches to GRSIE, test, evaluate the changes, and thereby validate GILL’s outputs in real-life open ecosystems. In line with the Living Lab methodology, co-creation and open innovation will be fostered among the main actors of the Quadruple Helix model who will be engaged all along the project through different participatory activities.
The EU-funded GILL project develops a pan-European collaboration and learning hub based on the LL principles as the framework for all European actors for open-gendered innovation. The project co-creates sustainable mechanisms to increase Gender-Responsive Smart Innovation and Entrepreneurship (GRSIE).
GILL focuses on organisational and cultural changes, professional development, gender and diversity integration into product design, technologies and innovation while empowering gendered educational practices.
The project encourages co-creation practices based on open innovation among the main actors of the quadruple helix model (citizens, government, industry, and academia).
Objective
GILL, coordinated by ENoLL, the largest network of Living Labs, develops a pan-European collaboration and learning hub based on the Living Lab principles to become the open innovation framework for all European actors for open gendered innovation. The GILL “Living Labs” co-create sustainable mechanisms to increase GRSIE by fixing practices and culture across the European ecosystems.
GILL focuses on 4 macro-objectives: a) to enable the organisational and cultural changes, b) to enhance professional development, c) to increase the integration of gender and diversity into product design, technologies, and innovation, and d) to allow gendered educational practices. In parallel, GILL actions act along a matrix of horizontal spheres of innovation (individual & team, tools & methods, innovation & products, societal processes) and three vertical priorities (Health and resilience, Green & Digital transition).
GILL is implemented through an iterative co-creation approach structured on a four-phases cycle - understand, co-design, implement, evaluate - repeated twice to incorporate the feedback and evaluation results in fine-tuned and validated results. Through this cycle, GILL will deliver a systemic review of barriers to GRSIE leading to the co-design of proven methodologies, services, and tools for GRSIE to be made available on a sustainable and easy to use platform. Within GILL, 15 Action-Oriented Experimentations (AOEs) in 8 European countries develop new approaches to GRSIE, test, evaluate the changes, and thereby validate GILL’s outputs in real-life open ecosystems. In line with the Living Lab methodology, co-creation and open innovation will be fostered among the main actors of the Quadruple Helix model who will be engaged all along the project through different participatory activities.
In the initial phase of implementation, GILL has made significant progress towards completing its first iteration cycle, focusing on the first three phases.
Understand: At first the consortium carried out a set of desk-based and participatory research to understand key aspects of the GILL project thus initiating the co-creation process. This included: a conceptual and methodological understanding of GILL concepts related to GRSIE, in the intersection of entrepreneurship, innovation, gender, and diversity, including the introduction and elaboration of the novel concept focused on “fix” the practices; the mapping of barriers, opportunities, and good practices for GRSIE; needs, expectations, requirements, and recommendations on the development of the GILL learning and collaboration Hub, and training needs both on GRSIE and Living Lab methods.
Co-Design (M3-M15): 40 methods and tools to enable GRSIE were validated or co-created and classified along GILL objectives, horizontal spheres of innovation, and vertical domains of application. A strategic agenda for the AOEs was co-designed, resulting in 15 tailored but harmonized preparatory plans. Additionally, a capacity building and action plan were defined, covering 12 urgent macro-topics across Living Lab methods and gender expertise.
Implement (M7-M17): The GILL IT platform was developed and the GILL collaborative and learning Hub was made publicly accessible. Alongside, the 15 AOEs initiated their first cycle of implementation and are well progressing, and the first four capacity building activities promoting gendered innovation practices were launched for both partners and external audiences.
An Evaluation Plan was prepared for the next phase (M13-M20), outlining evaluation methodologies, KPIs for AOE impact monitoring, and a self-competency framework.
Overall, the project progresses well, laying groundwork for impactful interventions and enhanced collaboration across stakeholders in the next reporting period.
Understand: At first the consortium carried out a set of desk-based and participatory research to understand key aspects of the GILL project thus initiating the co-creation process. This included: a conceptual and methodological understanding of GILL concepts related to GRSIE, in the intersection of entrepreneurship, innovation, gender, and diversity, including the introduction and elaboration of the novel concept focused on “fix” the practices; the mapping of barriers, opportunities, and good practices for GRSIE; needs, expectations, requirements, and recommendations on the development of the GILL learning and collaboration Hub, and training needs both on GRSIE and Living Lab methods.
Co-Design (M3-M15): 40 methods and tools to enable GRSIE were validated or co-created and classified along GILL objectives, horizontal spheres of innovation, and vertical domains of application. A strategic agenda for the AOEs was co-designed, resulting in 15 tailored but harmonized preparatory plans. Additionally, a capacity building and action plan were defined, covering 12 urgent macro-topics across Living Lab methods and gender expertise.
Implement (M7-M17): The GILL IT platform was developed and the GILL collaborative and learning Hub was made publicly accessible. Alongside, the 15 AOEs initiated their first cycle of implementation and are well progressing, and the first four capacity building activities promoting gendered innovation practices were launched for both partners and external audiences.
An Evaluation Plan was prepared for the next phase (M13-M20), outlining evaluation methodologies, KPIs for AOE impact monitoring, and a self-competency framework.
Overall, the project progresses well, laying groundwork for impactful interventions and enhanced collaboration across stakeholders in the next reporting period.
In the first year, the project has made significant progress, presenting tangible results to be refined and enhanced in the following periods following evaluation and feedback from AOE implementation. The research provided a theoretical foundation and roadmap for addressing GRSIE's cultural dimension, with broader significance in overcoming gender barriers in entrepreneurship and innovation.
40 tools and methods addressing this dimension are being tested by AOEs and will be accessible on the GILL Hub after assessment and refinement. The Hub, informed by expert community needs, will integrate ICT for community engagement, aiming to facilitate GRSIE.
A Working Group on GRSIE, initiated by ENoLL, will extend project outcomes beyond its lifetime, aiming to become a reference for gender in the Living Lab ecosystem and innovation community.
40 tools and methods addressing this dimension are being tested by AOEs and will be accessible on the GILL Hub after assessment and refinement. The Hub, informed by expert community needs, will integrate ICT for community engagement, aiming to facilitate GRSIE.
A Working Group on GRSIE, initiated by ENoLL, will extend project outcomes beyond its lifetime, aiming to become a reference for gender in the Living Lab ecosystem and innovation community.