Living Labs: integrating technology and societal action in OneSTOP biosecurity for transformative change

Living Labs have become important instruments for testing and adapting Nature-based Solutions, yet their potential to support deeper transformative change depends on how effectively they bridge scientific knowledge, community perspectives and governance structures.

Within the Horizon Europe OneSTOP (OneBiosecurity Systems and Technology for People, Places and Pathways, Grant agreement ID 101180559) project, we use Living Labs across five diverse bioclimatic and socio-economic European regions (Romania, UK, Finland, Portugal and Belgium) to co-develop integrated biosecurity approaches for minimising the introduction, establishment and spread of invasive alien species. Invasive alien species pose a serious threat to the environment, cost the EU billions of euros every year and are one of the single greatest drivers of biodiversity loss, requiring action beyond traditional measures.

The Living Labs serve as open innovative environments with two main functions: technology co-creation and validation, and facilitating societal experimentation and systemic change across major actors dealing directly or indirectly with invasive alien species. They integrate social sciences and humanities, ensuring engagement with local stakeholders and the public. They are instrumental in gathering input on public perceptions and attitudes, stimulating ethical discussions on invasive alien species management and informing the development of socially acceptable and ethically responsible management strategies. This multi-stakeholder setting enables the co-design of decision tools and policy briefs, addressing structural and cultural barriers to invasive alien species management and promoting integrated governance.

These real-world settings also provide a platform for testing and demonstrating a suite of cutting-edge detection and prioritisation methodologies, including the deployment of innovative approaches such as Air-DNA, Computer Vision, iEcology, and Citizen Science (Sentinel Gardens). This process generates actionable feedback for researchers to ensure the technical readiness and usability of the project's outputs.

By providing a platform for collaboration, co-creation and continuous feedback across all project pillars (detection, prioritisation, dissemination, and socio-political action), the OneSTOP 5 Living Labs ensure that technological innovation is directly translated into practical, sustainable and policy-relevant biosecurity outcomes, contributing to a more secure and resilient environment against invasive alien species.