Building bridges for sustainable and resilient innovation
This article follows the session on “Collaborative Ecosystems” led by Marga Vintges and Monika Onyszkiewicz, which explored how clusters, Living Labs, and cross-sector partnerships can serve as powerful drivers of systemic transformation. Drawing on concrete European examples, the session highlighted how collaborative innovation ecosystems contribute to addressing global challenges such as climate change, food insecurity, and the energy transitio
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We live in a world increasingly affected by climate change, resource scarcity, food insecurity, and the urgent need for an energy transition, it is clear that isolated solutions no longer suffice. What is urgently needed is innovation that is systemic, inclusive, and collaborative. This imperative was at the heart of the session led by Marga Vintges and Monika Onyszkiewicz, which spotlighted the vital role of collaborative ecosystems—such as clusters, Living Labs, and cross-sector partnerships—in shaping a more sustainable future.
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Why collaborative ecosystems matter
Rising global temperatures, unpredictable weather patterns, and the degradation of ecosystems are not just environmental concerns—they directly threaten food systems, energy access, and livelihoods. Addressing these overlapping crises requires a coordinated, multidisciplinary approach centered on resilience and collective intelligence.
In this context, Clusters and Living Labs (LLs) have emerged as proven frameworks to catalyze innovation and cooperation.
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Clusters: driving sectoral synergy
A cluster brings together a geographically concentrated network of businesses, research institutions, public authorities, and civil society actors. This proximity and connection foster shared learning, resource exchange, and joint problem-solving. Clusters are particularly effective in scaling sector-specific solutions, improving competitiveness, and accelerating sustainable transitions. Some clusters even integrate Fieldlabs for practical experimentation or evolve partially into Living Labs to deepen user-driven innovation.
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Living labs: innovation in real life
In contrast to theoretical approaches, Living Labs are open, real-life testing environments that prioritize co-creation, iterative development, and stakeholder inclusion. These labs allow communities to experiment with solutions in context—bridging technological innovation with social needs, economic viability, and ecological limits. LLs not only speed up the innovation cycle but ensure that the outcomes are grounded, usable, and resilient.
Together, clusters and LLs form the backbone of collaborative ecosystems, creating fertile ground for transformation in key sectors such as agriculture, energy, and urban development.
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The takeaway: long-term collaboration is key
From the local to the international level, the session reinforced that sustainable and resilient food systems will not emerge from siloed efforts. They require long-term, cross-sector, and cross-border collaboration, supported by strategic innovation platforms like clusters and Living Labs. These ecosystems foster trust, shared ownership, and systemic insight, ultimately enabling society to respond more effectively to the interconnected crises of our time
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