With the 10th Wave for ENoLL membership open for new applicationsuntil the 8th of March 2016 we thought we’d bring a little focus today on how living labs are evaluated as a part of this process.

Living labs are defined as user-centred, open innovation ecosystems based on a systematic user co-creation approach integrating research and innovation processes in real life communities and settings. In practice, living labs place the citizen at the centre of innovation, and have thus shown the ability to better mould the opportunities offered by new ICT concepts and solutions to the specific needs and aspirations of local contexts, cultures, and creativity potentials.

All eligible proposals recieved by applicant living labs for ENoLL membership are assessed by a panel of experts selected from within the ENoLL community in a peer-led review process. All reviewers have experience in running living labs (LL) in different cultural, sectorial and geographical contexts.

It is important to stress that it is not necessary to satisfy all the criteria: evaluators look more at their balance with respect to the development of LL operations.

The following criteria are considered:

• Evidence of co-created values from research, development and innovation
• Values/services offered/provided to LL actors
• Measures to involve users
• Reality usage contexts, where the LL runs its operations
• User-centricity within the entire service process
• Full product lifecycle support – capability and maturity
• LL covers several entities within value- chain(s)
• Quality of user-driven innovation methods and tools
• Availability of required technology and/ or test-beds
• Evidence of expertise gained for the LL operations
• Commitment to open processes
• IPR principles supporting capability and openness
• Openness towards new partners and investors
• Business-citizens-government partnership: strength and maturity
• Organisation of LL governance, management and operations
• Business model for LL sustainability
• Interest and capacity to be active in EU innovation systems
• International networking experience

We wish you luck in applying for ENoLL membership as a part of the 10th Wave and look forward to welcoming new living labs from across the world to our ever growing community. More information about evaluation criteria, terms and conditions can be found in the 10th Wave brochure here: http://bit.ly/1Nn7Ld1. If you have any questions relating to the process please contact info@enoll.org