Living Labs as a Method of Knowledge Value Transfer in a Natural Area

Enabling technologies (KETs) offer transformative potential for agriculture by addressing major challenges such as climate change, resource efficiency, and sustainable development across economic, social, and environmental dimensions. However, KET adoption is often limited by high R&D requirements, rapid innovation cycles, investment costs, and cultural or training barriers, especially among small agricultural businesses. Sicily’s agricultural sector, already strained by pandemic-related economic setbacks and inflationary pressures, faces additional barriers in adopting these technologies. To investigate these adoption challenges and develop viable solutions, the ARIA Living Lab (Agritech Research Innovation Environment) was established within the PNRR framework. A qualitative approach was used, involving documentary analysis and data from stakeholders across Sicilian agriculture. This approach enabled an in-depth exploration of sector-specific needs, infrastructure, and socio-economic factors influencing KET adoption. The analysis highlighted that adoption barriers differ significantly across sectors (citrus, olive, and wine), with public incentives and digital infrastructure playing key roles. However, a persistent lack of technical skills among farmers reduces the effectiveness of these innovations. The findings suggest that an integrated approach—combining targeted incentives, training, and enhanced infrastructure—is essential for a sustainable transition to KETs. Future research should examine collaborative efforts between farms and tech providers and evaluate the impact of public policies in promoting the widespread, informed adoption of enabling technologies.

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Enhancing Knowledge on Energy Refurbishment of Buildings and Green Procurement through Living Labs

Marksel,

Pavletič,

Letnik

2024

Buildings

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Buildings account for a significant portion of energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, underscoring the urgent need for energy refurbishment and green procurement strategies. This study explores the potential of Living Labs, a collaborative and user-centered approach, to bridge knowledge gaps and foster innovation in these areas. The research employed a comprehensive methodology, including stakeholder surveys and statistical analyses, to evaluate knowledge enhancement in various domains such as green policies, mentoring, funding possibilities, and green public procurement. The results demonstrated statistically significant improvements in knowledge across different fields and stakeholder groups. This study contributes to the objectives of the European Green Deal by highlighting the role of Living Labs in advancing knowledge critical to achieving energy efficiency and sustainability targets. Based on these findings, several recommendations are proposed to further leverage the effectiveness of Living Labs in promoting the energy refurbishment of buildings and green public procurement.

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Living Labs as a Method of Knowledge Value Transfer in a Natural Area

Cited by 3 publications

References 30 publications

Evaluation of the “Silvestri Craters on Etna” Living Lab for Knowledge Value Transfer

Evaluation of the “Silvestri Craters on Etna” Living Lab for Knowledge Value Transfer

Living Lab for the Diffusion of Enabling Technologies in Agriculture: The Case of Sicily in the Mediterranean Context

Enhancing Knowledge on Energy Refurbishment of Buildings and Green Procurement through Living Labs

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