-
karditsa LIVING LAB
RESULTS
A Community-Driven Model for Sustainability
The Karditsa Living Lab, established in 2022 in the Thessaly region of Greece, has emerged as a dynamic platform for promoting sustainability and addressing energy and climate challenges. Hosted by the Municipality of Karditsa and supported by ANKA SA, the lab focuses on building trust and raising awareness through participatory processes. Its mission aligns with the SECAP goals of reducing CO₂ emissions by 40% by 2030, increasing climate resilience, and promoting energy efficiency and renewable energy use. Projects like the “Free Solar Project” and “Coffee Pellet Project” reflect the lab’s commitment to sustainable practices.
A Collaborative Approach to Energy and Climate planning
The Karditsa Living Lab emphasizes co-creation and cross-sectoral collaboration. It utilizes tools like stakeholder mapping, PESTEL and SWOT analyses, and co-design methods to foster inclusive planning processes. By engaging diverse stakeholders—including public authorities, private entities, NGOs, and research institutions—the lab ensures alignment with local needs and priorities.
Key outputs include revisions to Karditsa’s SECAP and the implementation of innovative projects like piloting low-emission buses under the Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan (SUMP).
Overcoming Challenges and Expanding Influence
The lab has tackled significant challenges, including conflicts among stakeholders, bureaucratic obstacles, and maintaining focus during discussions. Solutions included structured consultations, regular workshops, and clear communication of goals. The lab’s influence has extended regionally, promoting the SECAP and Living Lab model to neighboring municipalities and initiating cross-border collaborations, particularly in flood protection and water management.
Key Achievements and Lessons Learned
The Living Lab’s achievements include:
- Innovative Projects: Launching the “Free Solar Project,” enabling households to install photovoltaic systems without upfront costs, and the “Coffee Pellet Project,” promoting bioenergy.
- Stakeholder Engagement: Building a robust network of local actors to support energy transition measures.
- Policy Integration: Revising Karditsa’s SECAP with realistic, stakeholder-informed measures.
Lessons learned highlight the importance of active stakeholder engagement, transparent communication, and flexibility in adapting strategies. Continuous feedback mechanisms and the use of realistic data have been critical in aligning participants with the lab’s objectives.
FUTURE PLANS FOR karditsa lIVING LAB
Looking ahead, the Karditsa Living Lab seeks to build on its collaborative achievements by integrating lessons learned and securing funding to sustain activities. Key future plans include expanding community engagement in implementing and refining the SECAP, strengthening regional and cross-border partnerships, and exploring innovative energy solutions. The lab also aims to continue creating dialogue and collaboration through its role as a platform for energy and climate innovation.
Long-term sustainability will depend on maintaining the networks and partnerships established, adapting strategies based on stakeholder feedback, and remaining a hub for knowledge exchange and action. By promoting resilience and sustainability, the Karditsa Living Lab aspires to serve as a model for addressing local and regional energy challenges.
“In Living Labs people work together using agile methods. Simultaneously, many divisions within public administrations are rather used to waterfall project management.
This can make it hard to even consider a collaboration with other divisions. In the end one has to be flexible using the resources that are available.”
Claudio Kummli, City of Thun
