As alternatives to animal-based proteins, innovative protein sources can help alleviate health and environmental challenges in the food system. Our LIKE-A-PRO project has established living labs in 11 European countries to engage with consumers and explore barriers and opportunities related to the uptake of alternative proteins. In a new publication series, the CSCP together with project partners, share three relevant documents for supporting local living labs as powerful platforms for consumer engagement, iteration, and innovation.
Governance Framework: This document outlines the essential procedural considerations for planning, establishing, running, and monitoring the LIKE-A-PRO living labs. It provides a detailed blueprint covering the labs’ vision, purpose, target groups, locations, timelines, operational procedures, and the roles and responsibilities of the teams involved. The Governance Framework is designed to guide local lab implementers across the 11 countries, ensuring coherence in process and outcomes.
Participant Recruitment and Engagement Strategy (PRES): The PRES document is a comprehensive guide aimed at maximising participant engagement in the living labs. It delves into identifying the right participants, ensuring diversity, and effectively recruiting and retaining participants through targeted messaging and the use of multipliers such as local organisations. The strategy also includes practical advice on implementing each living lab format, ensuring accessibility, and maintaining ongoing participant engagement. Like the Governance Framework, the PRES is designed to be a flexible tool for a wide audience and versatile applications.
Train the Trainers (ToT) Sessions: To further support local implementers, the CSCP and the LIKE-A-PRO partners have conducted three online ToT sessions. These sessions were designed to equip lab implementers with the skills needed to plan, run, and evaluate the living labs. The sessions provided interactive, hands-on training that complemented the living labs methodology, covering everything from process setup to capturing lessons learned. The overarching approach of these sessions is anchored in the Governance Framework.
The LIKE-A-PRO living labs are not only research platforms, but also collaborative spaces where European residents (consumers) can actively participate in shaping the future of sustainable food systems.
By bringing together the Governance Framework, PRES, and ToT sessions, the CSCP is laying the foundation for a successful and impactful consumer engagement practice. The insights gained from these living labs will be instrumental in identifying key behavioural determinants that drive dietary changes and in advocating for governance mechanisms that enable these shifts in food environments across Europe.
You're invited
As the CSCP continues to lead the implementation of the 11 LIKE-A-PRO living labs, we invite stakeholders, researchers, and citizens alike to engage and actively shape the transition toward healthier and more sustainable diets. You can download the three reports in our 'Results and publications' section.
For additional questions, please reach out to Arlind Xhelili, Project Manager at CSCP.
*ING Economics Department 2017
Arlind Xhelili, Project Manager at CSCP
Photo credit @CSCP