- 11-10-2023 12:45
- Velizar Petrov
On
October 4 and 5, 2023, the INVEST4EXCELLENCE Living Labs Workshop was held at
VHL University, Velp, the Netherlands. This event brought together researchers,
experts and academics from six universities of the alliance (University of
Córdoba, Spain, University of Thessaly, Greece, University of agribusiness and
rural development- UARD, Bulgaria, Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra,
Slovakia, Van Hall Larenstein UAS, The Netherlands, UAS Karelia, Finland) to
study and collaborate in living labs and sustainable development.
Velizar
Petrov and Aleksandar Tonkov took part in the seminar on-site on behalf of
VUARR, and later, associate professor Dr. Ekaterina Arabska, rector of UARD,
participated online.
The
two-day workshop included a diverse range of activities and discussions aimed
at advancing the field of INVEST Living Labs.
The
event began with a warm welcome at VHL, setting the tone for two days of
productive conversations. Participants received valuable information about
transition pathways during a presentation and discussion led by Prof. Rik Eweg.
The
presentation on Dutch Living Labs by Prof. Loes Witteveen, Peter vd Maas and
Rik Eweg provided a comprehensive overview of the state of Living Labs in the
Netherlands.
Collaborative
breakout sessions allowed all participants to contribute to the design of
pathways for INVEST4EXCELLENCE Living Labs.
A
visit to the Nature Inclusive Farming living lab provided a hands-on and
engaging experience.
On
the following day, a practical session led by Prof. Loes Witteveen and Jan
Fliervoet was held, exploring basic tools for working in living laboratories.
The
seminar continued with a discussion of the design of the Inter-European
University to support the sustainable development of European regions (Outcome
3.5 and Outcome 3.4), with the participation of Associate Professor Dr.
Ekaterina Arabska and Dr. Omiros Yatrelis.