Living Labs: A Catalyst for Ocean Literacy and Sustainable Innovation
摘要
Living Labs (LL) are open-innovation ecosystems that integrate research and innovation processes bringing together multiple knowledge types. This chapter builds on the Living Science Salt Farm project, implemented in Central Portugal, to argue that LLs can be powerful Ocean Literacy (OL) enablers. They promote behaviour change towards environmentally sustainable innovations, supporting Ocean Decade outcomes. The project used a participatory process to assess stakeholders’ motivation to establish a LL focused on the sustainable exploitation of solar saltwork ecosystems. Stakeholders generally expressed motivation, viewing LLs to improve communication and foster trust through transparent processes. However, this indicates a limited awareness of LLs’ full potential. Implementing a LL favouring sustainable saltwork products and services, which collaboratively creates and tests solutions in real-life environments, could be a game changer. From an innovation perspective, it would enhance contributions to various Ocean Decade outcomes. From an OL perspective, it would drive attitude shifts towards management, by promoting actions that effectively bring about policy, institutional and societal changes; and contribute to several dimensions of OL.