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léon LIVING LAB
RESULTS
A Community-Driven Model for Sustainability
Established in 2022, the León Living Lab serves as a participatory platform to tackle energy and climate challenges within the city.
Hosted by the City Council of León and supported by ILRUV, the initiative fosters collaboration among public entities, private organizations, research institutions, and citizens. It enhances the implementation of León’s Sustainable Energy and Climate Action Plan (SECAP) by promoting sustainable energy practices, circular economy concepts, and urban regeneration strategies.
A Collaborative Approach to Energy and Climate planning
The León Living Lab demonstrates a collaborative and innovative approach to energy and climate planning by engaging diverse stakeholders through the quadruple-helix model, integrating public authorities, private entities, academia, and citizens. Using methods like focus groups, brainstorming sessions, and tools such as Q-sort and affinity diagramming, it promotes synergies, breaks down silos, and aligns efforts with regional and European energy goals. Participatory workshops, data-driven insights, and real-world demonstrations lead to actionable plans that enhance decision-making, empower citizens, and drive sustainable urban development. Active participation in forums like the VIITE+3R Congress and Energy Joint Side Event has further strengthened regional collaboration and knowledge exchange, positioning León as a hub for sustainability innovation.
Overcoming Challenges and Expanding Influence
While the lab has faced challenges, including resource limitations, post-pandemic priorities, and a lack of familiarity with the Living Lab concept, these were addressed through flexible, empathetic workshops that emphasized collaboration. The lab’s success has inspired plans for a second Living Lab centered on the Camino de Santiago, integrating cultural heritage into the city’s sustainable development agenda.
Key Achievements and Lessons Learned
Achievements include:
- Establishment of León Local Living Lab (LLL): Successfully created a collaborative platform for the city’s energy transition and implementation of its SECAP.
- Stakeholder Engagement: Brought together diverse stakeholders who had not previously collaborated, facilitating cross-cutting solutions and consensus building.
- Innovative Projects: Initiated activities like focus groups, brainstorming, and problem-space workshops, addressing energy, mobility, and circular economy challenges.
- Regional Expansion: Represented León in national and international events to share experiences and establish regional collaborations.
- Evaluation and Feedback Mechanisms: Developed iterative feedback loops for continuous improvement of Living Lab processes.
Lessons learned emphasize clearly defined roles, fostering a collaborative environment, and balancing structured guidance with adaptability. Empathy and compromise were pivotal in achieving consensus and effective outcomes.
Future Plans for LÉON Living Lab
The León Living Lab has ambitious plans for growth and sustainability:
- Establishing a Second Living Lab
A new Living Lab will focus on integrating sustainability into urban planning and tourism along the culturally significant Camino de Santiago, supporting León’s climate and cultural heritage goals. - Embedding the Living Lab in Governance
León is working to formalize the Living Lab as a permanent governance structure, expanding its scope to tackle broader urban challenges and integrate its methods into future city projects. - Strengthening Regional Collaboration
The Living Lab aims to foster partnerships with neighboring regions, building a network to address climate and energy challenges collectively through shared methods and experiences. - Scaling Innovative Solutions
The lab will prioritize initiatives like urban energy efficiency, mobility innovations, and renewable energy integration, supported by citizen engagement through projects like the Clean Energy Demonstrator Centre. - Securing Sustainable Funding
Efforts focus on obtaining local, national, and European funding to sustain and expand the Living Lab’s activities and ensure its long-term impact.
“Particularly impactful for us was bringing stakeholders to the same table who, while all involved in the city’s energy transition, had never met before. This broadens empathy, and the solutions become more cross-cutting and more consensual.”
Enery Acevedo González, ILRUV
