International Study Visit in Poland Strengthens the FutureFoodS Living Labs Network
As part of the FutureFoodS Partnership, InLife Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research, Polish Academy of Sciences organized in Olsztyn, Poland an international study visit dedicated to reinforcing collaboration within the European Living Labs community.
The event gathered partners and representatives of Food Systems Living Labs from across Europe to exchange experiences and demonstrate practical co-creation models, where academia, society, business and public administration jointly design and test solutions for the transformation of food systems.
Food Bank in Olsztyn – Lighthouse Social Living Lab
The first day took place at the Food Bank in Olsztyn, recognised within FutureFoodS as a “lighthouse social living lab.” As a demonstrator of social innovation, it combines operational food redistribution with research and stakeholder engagement, testing solutions in real-life settings.
Participants explored its mission, operational model and societal impact, particularly in food waste prevention, cooperation with local authorities and entrepreneurs, and cross-sector partnerships. As a lighthouse lab, it provides a scalable reference model for applying Living Lab methodologies across Europe.
Living Labs in Practice – Co-Creation for Systemic Transformation
Expert sessions showcased diverse types of livings labs and co-creation applications:
· Warsaw Food Lab (Poland) presented its urban innovation model supporting gastronomy and charitable organisations through redistribution and food waste reduction.
· Lab for Health IrsiCaixa (Barcelona) shared participatory approaches to transforming food and health environments through multi-actor engagement.
· EIT Food Consumer Engagement Labs demonstrated structured methods for involving citizens in early-stage food innovation design.
A dedicated workshop, “Living Labs for Business Development – From Creation to Market Success”, explored how Living Lab approaches facilitate stakeholder collaboration, user validation and commercialisation pathways.
The day concluded with the networking event “One Table Experience – Cook, Learn, Share”, promoting informal dialogue on sustainable consumption, short supply chains and the role of local markets in systemic transformation.
Campus Living Labs and Academic Engagement
The second day, organised with the University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, featured the “From Milk to Market” dairy value chain model and examples of Campus Living Labs, illustrating how universities can function as real-life testing environments for innovation in educational and production contexts.
Contribution to WP6 – FS Knowledge Hub & Linked FS Living Labs
The study visit represents a concrete step towards the establishment of the FS Knowledge Hub and the structured network of linked FS Living Labs under WP6. By enabling the exchange of best practices and facilitating discussions on governance models, common principles and scaling mechanisms, the visit contributed to shaping the conceptual and operational foundations of the Hub.
Through demonstrations, co-creation workshops and peer learning, it also strengthened capacity-building efforts and reinforced mutual trust among partners and stakeholders. By integrating social innovation, academic research, stakeholder engagement and business development, the visit advanced the development of a coordinated, place-based European ecosystem that will underpin the FS Knowledge Hub and its network of Living Labs.
