Ocean living lab
Living Lab Territory
the Context
About Us
The Ocean Living Lab is an innovative open ecosystem dedicated to solving territorial challenges and promoting sustainable development. Established in the picturesque Urdaibai Biosphere Reserve in the Basque Country, the Ocean LL integrates local communities, researchers, businesses, and public authorities to co-create, test, and implement groundbreaking solutions to increasingly pressing environmental problems. As a cross-border hub for open innovation, the LL focuses on enhancing biodiversity, improving ecosystem functions, and developing nature-based solutions to combat the effects of climate change. Together, we aim to create a scalable global model for sustainability, grounded in the unique environmental, social, cultural and economic context of Urdaibai.
Areas of Work
We are committed to preserve the environmental character of the region, while at the same time contributing to create innovative solutions and services that can foster local development and generate value for society.
Biodiversity & Ecosystem Protection
Implementing nature-based solutions to enhance climate change mitigation and adaptation.
Sustainable Development
Actively involving citizens, schools, and cooperatives in real-world testing and co-creation.
Education & Social Engagement
Supporting green economies and sustainable land and water management.
Climate Resilience
Innovating strategies to address climate impacts on wetlands, coastal ecosystems and soil.
The methodology
What are Living Labs?
Living Labs are open innovation ecosystems in real-life settings based on a systematic user co-creation approach that integrates research and innovation activities in communities, placing citizens at the center of the process.
Living Lab refers to a real-life setting in which experimentation is encouraged. A key feature is the involvement of multiple stakeholders such as public institutions, private stakeholders, academics and research institutions, NGOs, individuals and citizens. From this inclusive engagement derives the core feature of LLs: co-creation. This refers to acts of collective creativity where the objective is to create something that is not known in advance, and which shows the potential impact of collaborative interaction to foster new and innovative solutions to rising problems. Therefore, the results of collaboration through this methodology, are innovation and learning.
Living Labs in Urdaibai
Living labs are linked to the territory, which ensures that their contribution to the economy, society and the environment has a direct impact on the territory. The differential value is based on the ability to make the economy-society-environment connection work in a territory that has restrictions and challenges unique to a Biosphere Reserve. In economic terms, Urdaibai can be described as a technological and research site that allows state-of-the-art solutions to be tested in fields such as climate change, soil health, culture, and more. In social terms, the Living Labs contribute to attract international talent, which helps to connect the territory to Europe and beyond, which also assists with the generation of new activities around sustainable tourism, education and environmental training. In environmental matters, the Living Labs can contribute to ensuring the maintenance of the natural, scenic and ecological character, as well as the biodiversity of the Biosphere Reserve.
the objectives
The Aim of the Ocean Living Lab
Urdaibai is an example of how to work on ways of turning limitations into opportunities capable of differentiating a territory competitively. All territories have elements that, when creatively related to each other and focused on specific windows of opportunity, can result in initiatives which contribute to territorial development. It is, in fact, the territories, through their assets, which are enabling companies to have the necessary elements to differentiate themselves from the competition. And it is Living Labs which can identify the needs, solutions, activities and technologies that the territory should work on.
Our Mission
To empower communities through open innovation, fostering sustainable development, and enhancing the natural and economic values of the Urdaibai Biosphere Reserve.
Our Vision
To establish a globally recognized hub for citizen-driven innovation, advancing sustainable practices and co-created solutions that balance ecological preservation with economic growth.
Project Involvement
Explore the range of projects we participate in to place Urdaibai on the map.
iCOSHELLs
European soils are facing a severe health crisis, with 60-70% classified as unhealthy. Pollution, urbanisation, and intensive agriculture, worsened by climate change, are the main contributors to this degradation.
ClimaGen
Old buildings in vulnerable neighbourhoods pose challenges to achieving net-zero emissions. Climate-resilient regeneration and ecological restoration offer solutions.
ProLight
European districts play a pivotal role in the achievement of a future low carbon economy. Innovative refurbishment with large potential of replication on other residential buildings help bring down energy waste.
WATER-MINING
Water security is among the most crucial challenges for water management today. As a consequence, innovative water management solutions and alternative water resources are required.
REWISE
As water is vital to sustaining life, the REWAISE project creates a new smart water ecosystem, embracing the true value of water and paving the way for a resilient circular economy.
TALK TO US
Have any questions?
We are always open to talk about new projects, creative opportunities and how we can collaborate.