Implementing Cultural Participatory Business Models: The Living Labs Approach

Why use Living Labs? By design, participatory business models aim to tackle challenges that affect various stakeholders and they require all of those stakeholders to be engaged in the process of finding sustainable solutions as well as contributing resources (time, knowledge, money) towards it. Living Labs match this need by operating as open innovation ecosystems where diverse groups collaborate to drive positive change through practical projects in real-world settings. For example, the Hunt Museum in Ireland wanted to address anti-social behaviour in the museum garden. Using the Living Labs methodology, they were able to involve other museums, local citizens and corporate organisations in co-creating and implementing a solution - a willow weaving programme in the museum’s garden.