The ONEPlanET project hosted the WEF Transitional Living Lab – Cyprus Edition, a five-day event led by The Cyprus Institute with training support from the European Network of Living Labs (ENoLL). This milestone gathering was part of a broader effort to establish a Living Lab based in Nairobi, Kenya, dedicated to advancing integrated Water-Energy-Food (WEF) Nexus solutions across Africa.
The Cyprus Edition offered a unique opportunity to combine practical learning, co-creation, and strategic planning, drawing from international experience while focusing on African contexts.
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ENoLL-led Training on Living Lab Methodologies Participants received in-depth training tailored to Africa’s development needs, exploring how Living Lab approaches could drive participatory innovation and systems thinking in WEF governance.
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Stakeholder Engagement and Site Visits Through curated visits and discussions, the programme showcased good practices in WEF Nexus implementation across Cyprus, offering practical insights for adaptation and scaling in African contexts.
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Co-Design of the Living Lab Action Plan Hackathon-style sessions brought together diverse stakeholders to shape the roadmap for the Nairobi-based Living Lab, focusing on collaboration, inclusivity, and local relevance.
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Development of Frameworks The event supported the creation of operational, governance, and innovation frameworks necessary to ensure the Lab’s long-term impact and scalability.
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Pilot Design Sessions Participants began shaping pilot initiatives, working alongside partners from within and beyond the ONEPlanET consortium to ensure broad stakeholder alignment.
The Cyprus Edition marked a critical step in building innovation spaces that were deeply rooted in local realities yet globally connected. By fostering inclusive collaboration and knowledge exchange, the Living Lab supported transformative policy and practice in the management of water, energy, and food systems across Africa.
Insights and outcomes from this pivotal event demonstrated how ONEPlanET continued to empower communities, inform policy, and advance sustainable development.