The Living Labs in TAPELINE represent a central instrument for advancing agroecological transition in practice. They are designed as open, real-life environments where diverse actors – farmers, researchers, policymakers, facilitators, and civil society – collaborate to co-develop, test, and validate innovative agroecological solutions. Their role is not limited to demonstration, but extends to shaping strategies that are scientifically sound, socially inclusive, and institutionally relevant.
The project will establish a pilot Living Lab in Cyprus, embedded in the context of the National Strategy for the Development of Mountain Communities. This initiative will serve as a reference model for other participating territories and will provide practical insights into how agroecological transition can be organised at both farm and landscape levels. Based on this experience, Living Lab replication will be explored in Belgium, Switzerland, Germany, and Italy, ensuring that knowledge generated in one territory is adaptable to different European socio-ecological contexts.
Through the Living Labs, TAPELINE will:
- Conduct field-level testing of agroecological interventions, aligned with local strategies and the upgraded FAO TAPE tool.
- Develop financial and governance frameworks that link grassroots initiatives with Agricultural Knowledge and Innovation Systems (AKIS), ERASMUS+ exchanges, and relevant policy instruments.
- Mentor innovators within each territory to strengthen their capacity to design, implement, and scale agroecological practices.
- Produce replicable models and guidelines for Living Labs, contributing to the wider European Partnership on Agroecology Living Labs and Research Infrastructures.
The Living Labs thus embody TAPELINE’s commitment to a participatory and evidence-based transition. By merging local knowledge with scientific expertise, they will deliver actionable pathways for agroecological innovation, reinforce trust among actors, and foster long-term sustainability at the territorial scale
The pilot Living Lab will be launched in the Troodos mountains of Cyprus. Updates on activities and outcomes will follow – stay tuned