Networking Village – OpenLivingLab Days (OLLD25)

The Networking Village was an open-air networking and exhibition space organised as part of the annual OpenLivingLab Days (OLLD) conference, the flagship event of the European Network of Living Labs (ENoLL). The 2025 edition, hosted by Andorra Research and Innovation, took place in Andorra la Vella and transformed the public square Plaça del Poble into a participatory innovation space bridging international conference participants and the local community. 

OLLD is a mobile, host-driven international conference deeply embedded in local contexts. In 2025, the Networking Village operationalised this principle by reimagining networking and exhibition formats in a fully open civic environment accessible both to registered participants and the wider public. The initiative aligned with core Living Lab values of open innovation, inclusion, co-creation, and societal engagement, extending knowledge exchange beyond traditional conference boundaries. 

Concept and Format 

The Networking Village functioned as a hybrid public–conference interface designed to lower barriers to participation and foster informal interaction. It included: 

• An open lounge area with informal seating (including beach chairs)  

• Smart working stations for collaborative exchange  

• Exhibition booths showcasing Living Lab initiatives and innovations  

• “Village Talks”: 30-minute informal, unplugged sessions without microphones or screens  

This design enabled spontaneous dialogue between citizens, researchers, innovators, and institutional actors in a non-hierarchical setting, intentionally welcoming individuals unfamiliar with Living Labs or unable to access the formal conference. 

Implementation and Resources 

• Launch and operation: 1–2 October 2025  

• Preparation phase: February 2025 onwards  

• On-site setup: 30 September 2025  

• Staff involved: 30  

  
  

The initiative was enabled through strong multi-stakeholder collaboration, including Andorra Research and Innovation, the Municipality of Andorra la Vella (with mayoral support), Andorra Telecom (providing free public Wi-Fi), and a Professional Conference Organiser managing logistics. 

Impact and Outcomes 

The Networking Village successfully transformed a conference extension into a public innovation ecosystem, activating urban space for inclusive engagement. 

Key results include: 

• 7 fully attended Village Talks, confirming high demand for informal knowledge exchange  

• 7 exhibition booths featuring local and international Living Lab initiatives  

• Approximately 400 visitors per day, including both citizens and conference delegates  

• 335 conference participants from 44 countries  

• 100% public accessibility without registration requirements  

• Strong engagement from diverse groups including families, elderly citizens, and children  

  
  

A key highlight was a citizen-led pitching competition, where three local projects were presented and voted on by attendees. Seed funding was awarded by representatives of Andorran ministries, reinforcing participatory governance and institutional engagement. 

KPIs Used to Measure Success 

• Number of conference participants and countries represented  

• Attendance and participation in Village Talks  

• Number of exhibitors and exhibition booths  

• Visitor volume and public engagement levels  

• Ratio of citizen vs. conference participant interaction  

• Media visibility, including national radio coverage  

• Degree of open access (no registration required)  

  
  

Key Impact Dimensions 

• Strong quadruple helix engagement (public sector, private sector, academia, citizens)  

• Increased accessibility of innovation in a fully public setting  

• Enhanced citizen interaction with international innovation ecosystems  

• Strengthened community ownership of innovation processes  

• Effective integration of global conferences into local urban life  

  
  

Key Takeaways 

• Public space activation significantly increases inclusivity and participation  

• Removing access barriers enables engagement from non-traditional audiences  

• Informal formats (Village Talks) are highly effective for dialogue and exchange  

• Local stakeholder collaboration is essential for legitimacy and reach  

• Media partnerships amplify public participation  

• Hybrid audiences create valuable cross-sector synergies  

• Outdoor, experiential conference formats enhance engagement and wellbeing  

Additional Insights and Lessons Learned 

While public-space conferencing introduces logistical complexity (permits, coordination, infrastructure), the outcomes demonstrate that the benefits outweigh the challenges. The initiative confirms a growing demand for open, flexible, and human-centred event formats, particularly for networking and informal interaction. 

Overall, the Networking Village represents a replicable model for embedding international conferences into urban environments, transforming them into shared spaces for innovation, dialogue, and civic participation.