Monitoring and Evaluation of Living Labs

Within Climate Farm Demo, 10 Living Labs (LLs) are established. These LLs are creative multi-actor spaces for co-designing innovative climate-smart solutions in real-life settings. Multiple actors—such as farmers, researchers, advisors, suppliers, and policymakers—are involved in developing climate-smart solutions based on climate-related challenges in the region.
To strengthen the co-creation process in the LLs, a specifically designed Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) approach has been developed. The objectives of M&E for the LLs are:
⦁ to support transparency and facilitate peer-to-peer learning between LLs,
⦁ to add reflexivity to strengthen the co-design process within the LL, and
⦁ to improve LL responsiveness to changes and developments in and around the LL.
Literature provides many tools and approaches for M&E of LLs. Some tools focus on organizational aspects of the LL, others on the co-creation process or on the impact of the LL. Different indicators and approaches can be used, largely depending on the objective of M&E—there is no one-size-fits-all M&E framework for LLs.
In Climate Farm Demo, the M&E framework developed is based on a harmonized approach to allow for comparison between LLs. Monitoring of the LL includes continuously tracking activities by completing an LL diary. This is the responsibility of the LL monitor, a role specifically created in each LL. At regular intervals—twice a year—the LL monitor and facilitator evaluate the LL. The evaluation uses a template assessing the overall performance of the LL (efficiency, efficacy, and stakeholder engagement).
Additionally, the monitor and facilitator complete a self-assessment survey by scoring the LL on several Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). This helps them reflect on the resources, capabilities, collaborations, and innovations within the living lab. The list of KPIs was developed based on literature related to Living Labs.