Frequently Asked Questions

    Welcome to the CommuniLab FAQs section, designed to support your journey in running pilot projects, co-creating solutions, and ensuring that marginalised groups benefit from your efforts. Below, you will find answers to common questions related to the core themes of CommuniLab.

    General Questions

    What is co-creation?

    Co-creation is a collaborative process that brings together various stakeholders, such as  public authorities, industry representatives, researchers, customers, and end beneficiaries, including community groups. These stakeholders jointly develop solutions, products, or ideas. Instead of being a unilateral process led by a company or a public administration, co-creation actively involves all interested parties, leveraging their unique perspectives and knowledge.

    The fundamental idea behind co-creation is that collaboration among different stakeholders leads to more equal, innovative, relevant, and tailored solutions that better address the needs and expectations of the target audience. This process can be applied in various contexts, from product design and service development to the creation of public policies and business strategies.

    Who is considered marginalised?

    The term "marginalised" refers to individuals or communities pushed to the edges of society, often facing limited access to basic services and opportunities through no fault of their own. Marginalisation is akin to standing on the sidelines of a lively event—aware of the activity but unable to join in. It describes exclusion from mainstream social, economic, and cultural life.

    This exclusion can arise from various factors, including race, religion, socioeconomic status, gender, disability, age, or any characteristic that deviates from societal norms. Society’s perception often plays a role in this process. For example, disabled individuals may face marginalisation due to assumptions about their abilities or the lack of accommodations that enable equal participation.

    Addressing marginalisation is essential for building a more inclusive and equitable society, ensuring everyone has the opportunity to contribute and thrive.

    What is the quadruple helix of engagement?

    CommuniLab adopts the quadruple helix approach, aligning with the broader project objectives, with a primary focus on bridging the gap between four key entities: citizens, the public sector, industry, and academia.

    Government and Public Sector

    Government bodies and public institutions play a pivotal role in shaping policies, regulations, and frameworks that facilitate innovation. Their involvement ensures that innovations align with societal needs and regulatory standards, fostering an environment conducive to sustainable development.

    Industry and Business

    The private sector brings valuable resources, expertise, and market-driven perspectives to the innovation ecosystem. Through research, development, and commercialisation efforts, businesses drive economic growth and address market demands.

    Academia and Universities

    Academic institutions serve as hubs for knowledge creation, research, and talent development. By fostering interdisciplinary collaborations and knowledge exchange, universities contribute to the advancement of cutting-edge technologies and the training of future innovators.

    Civil Society

    Civil society organizations, including non-profits, community groups, and advocacy organizations, represent the interests and concerns of the broader community. Their grassroots engagement ensures that innovation efforts are inclusive, ethical, and responsive to social needs.

    How Each QHM Actor Contributes to Innovation?
    • Government and Public Sector: Provide regulatory frameworks, funding, and infrastructure support to foster innovation and address societal challenges.
    • Industry and Business: Drive innovation through research and development, investment in new technologies, and the commercialization of innovative products and services.
    • Academia and Universities: Generate new knowledge through research, educate and train future innovators, and facilitate technology and knowledge transfer to industry and society.
    • Civil Society: Advocate for the needs and interests of marginalised communities, promote ethical innovation practices, and ensure that innovation benefits are equitably distributed across society.

    By engaging these diverse stakeholders and leveraging their unique perspectives and resources, CommuniLab aims to create a collaborative ecosystem that fosters innovation and addresses the needs of all stakeholders.

    What are Living Labs?

    According to the European Network of Living Labs, Living Labs are open innovation ecosystems situated in real-life environments. They built on a systematic user co-creation approach that integrates research and innovation activities within communities, placing citizens at the centre of the innovation process. 

    Living Labs operate as intermediaries among citizens, research organisations, companies and government agencies or levels. They facilitate joint-value co-creation, rapid prototyping and the scaling up of innovations and businesses.

    These ecosystems employ iterative feedback processes throughout the entire lifecycle of an innovation, ensuring continuous refinement and adaptation in real-world settings.

    How are Living Labs structured?

    Living labs typically involve stakeholders from the quadruple helix (public sector, private sector, academia, citizens) to collaboratively develop a shared vision, mission and strategic goals. They define and implement multiple different innovation projects driven by co-creation activities. 

    Dr. Dimitri Schuurman introduced the so-called 3-layered model in 2015, which conceptualises living labs as organisations operating on three levels:

    • Macro level: At this level, a living lab is a public-private-people partnership consisting of different stakeholders, organised to conduct Living Lab research and implement Living Lab projects. This overarching structure is referred to as the Living Lab constellation.
    • Meso level: This level focuses on the Living Lab innovation projects that are being carried out within the Living Lab constellation. These are referred to as Living Lab projects.
    • Micro level: At the micro level, the emphasis is on the research activities conducted within Living Lab projects. These activities typically follow a specific Living Lab methodology designed to 'cultivate user-led insights' and 'surface tacit, experiential and domain-based knowledge such that it can be further codified and communicated' (Almirall & Wareham, 2011).
    What are the Minimal Interoperability Mechanisms (MIMs) and how to use them?

    Minimal Interoperability Mechanisms (MIMs) are guidelines or tools designed to ensure digital systems can communicate and work together effectively. By promoting standardisation, they enable scalability and interoperability across diverse systems and stakeholders.

    In an ideal world, we would all use the same services and AI systems, adhering to consistent principles for collecting, storing, and processing data without concerns about vendor lock-in. Resources, skills, capacities, and requirements would be uniformly distributed across communities. However, our world’s diversity brings different needs and habits for managing information, posing the challenge of interoperability—the ability of systems to exchange and make use of data seamlessly.

    MIMs address this challenge by establishing a minimal yet sufficient level of interoperability for data, systems, and services, particularly in the context of smart city solutions. By fostering this foundational level of compatibility, MIMs support the development of a cohesive global market and collaborative efforts around solutions, services, and data. Projects can leverage MIMs by aligning their technology stacks with recommended guidelines, ensuring efficiency and compatibility.

    Find out more about the MIMs here: https://oascities.org/minimal-interoperability-mechanisms/

    How can digital solutions support the integration of marginalised groups into society?

    Digital technologies can provide innovative solutions to address the core challenges faced by marginalised groups. While digital literacy may be less common among these communities, technology can still play a significant role in improving their lives, even without requiring direct interaction with digital systems.

    The adaptability of technology allows it to address existing challenges while minimising the introduction of new ones. For instance, solutions can be designed to operate in the background or integrate seamlessly into daily activities, ensuring accessibility and ease of use.

    CommuniCity’s pilot projects demonstrate how technology can tackle challenges faced by marginalised and vulnerable groups. Explore more about these innovative solutions here: Catalogue of Tools.

    Where to seek further funding?

    Although CommuniCity has ended, it doesn’t have to mean the end of your project. To continue developing your idea, securing an income stream is essential. Depending on your project’s objectives, funding can come from various sources. Here are some possibilities:

    1. Public Grants: Apply for local, national, or EU funding opportunities to support your project.
    2. Private Investors: Approach venture capitalists or angel investors who may be interested in funding innovative projects.
    3. Crowdfunding: Consider using European-based platforms such as Kickstarter or Ulule, which focus on social innovation and technology.
    4. Corporate Sponsorships: Partner with businesses that share your vision and values to gain financial support.

    This list is not exhaustive. It’s important to stay informed about new calls and funding opportunities by identifying potential income sources first, and then keeping an eye on opportunities arising from each one. We also suggest reaching out directly to potential investors or grant givers, as they may have available funding that isn’t currently advertised.

    Piloting Questions

    When piloting, do not forget to consult CommuniCity’s piloting manual and the documents of the piloting toolkit.

    How do I prioritise my focus when piloting?

    Pilot projects provide an opportunity to test ideas and identify challenges before scaling up. However, pilots often have limited time and budget, making prioritisation crucial to achieving their objectives. To optimise your pilot project, consider the following steps:

    • Define the Scope and Objectives: Clearly outline your project’s goals, challenges, and desired outcomes.
    • Create a Plan: Develop a timeline and prioritise tasks based on available resources and time constraints.
    • Engage Stakeholders: Focus on areas that deliver the most value to end-users and other key participants.
    • Assess Feasibility: Align your goals with the budget, resources, and capabilities at hand.
    • Test and Iterate: Concentrate on elements that are scalable and replicable, refining them based on feedback and results.

    By following these steps, you can maximise the impact and effectiveness of your pilot project.

    How do I involve marginalised groups in my piloting project?

    The active involvement of representatives from your target group is vital when co-creating with social impact in mind. It is essential for these groups to perceive the value in participating in your planned activities. This value could manifest in positive outcomes, opportunities for personal growth, or direct benefits from the project. To ensure meaningful engagement, consider the following:

    • Identify Needs: Conduct research through surveys or interviews to understand the challenges and obstacles faced by your target group.

    • Ensure Accessibility: Provide resources in inclusive formats and languages. Ensure the piloting team is approachable and relatable to the target community.

    • Co-create Solutions: Invite representatives to workshops and brainstorming sessions. Ensure they gain tangible benefits from their participation in these activities.

    • Provide Feedback Channels: Establish clear communication lines for ongoing dialogue and improvements.

    By embedding these principles into your pilot, you can create solutions that truly resonate with and support marginalised groups.

    How do I ensure that ethical considerations are taken seriously and implemented in my project?

    Ethical considerations should be a cornerstone of your pilot project’s development. Addressing these early on helps build trust and ensures the project’s long-term success. Key steps include:

    • Adopt Ethical Guidelines: Align your project with established ethical frameworks. If implementing AI solutions, review relevant regulations, such as the AI Act.

    • Ensure Transparency: Clearly communicate your intentions, processes, and goals to all stakeholders, including marginalised community groups.

    • Protect Data: Comply with GDPR and other security regulations to safeguard participants’ data.

    • Engage Ethics Experts: Consult specialists to identify and mitigate potential risks associated with your project.

    By prioritising ethical considerations, you create a foundation for responsible and impactful innovation.

    How do I collaborate with cities as a tech provider?

    Cities involved in CommuniCity are already committed to supporting technology providers during the piloting process. However, challenges like limited capacity may still hinder collaboration. To navigate these obstacles, consider the following steps:

    • Understand City Priorities: Align your solution with the city’s strategic goals and ensure it addresses the challenges they have identified.
    • Build Relationships: Network with city officials and departments. CommuniCity offers an excellent platform to connect with municipal officers for potential future collaborations.
    • Offer Value Propositions: Clearly communicate the benefits of your activities at every stage, highlighting positive impacts such as efficiency, cost savings, or improved citizen satisfaction.
    • Engage Early: Involve city representatives from the beginning to ensure alignment and gain their support throughout the process.
    How to use CommuniLab to share and grow?

    CommuniLab fosters a collaborative environment where members can exchange insights, seek support, and showcase their progress. Join the discussion via the CommuniLab LinkedIn Group. Use this platform to share your activities, challenges, struggles, and successes. Here are some ways to maximise your participation:

    • Document and Share: Publish reports, videos, and success stories that highlight your pilot project’s journey. Share both achievements and lessons learned to inspire and guide others.
    • Leverage Social Media: Use platforms like LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram to reach broader audiences. Interact with CommuniCity’s social media channels to boost your project’s visibility and connect with relevant stakeholders.
    • Engage Media: Collaborate with city partners to work with journalists and media outlets. Highlight the societal impact of your project to attract public interest and build credibility.
    • Host Events: Organise workshops, webinars, or open days to showcase your progress. Invite stakeholders, community members, and city representatives to engage with your work and provide feedback.
    How can I create long-term partnerships through CommuniCity?

    CommuniCity provides opportunities to build  collaborations that extend beyond the scope of individual pilot projects. Whether you represent a city administration or a technology provider, working collaboratively is key to achieving impactful results. The bilateral connections facilitated through this initiative can enhance your market reach and project outcomes. To maximise this potential, consider the following steps:

    • Identify Synergies: Analyse organisations within your network to identify shared objectives and complementary capabilities. For instance, if your solution addresses mobility, seek partners specialising in urban infrastructure or community engagement to amplify the impact.
    • Attend Networking Events: Take advantage of conferences, workshops, and meetups facilitated by CommuniCity or third parties to connect with key stakeholders. These events are an excellent way to introduce your project, gain insights from peers, and explore new opportunities for collaboration.
    • Propose Win-Win Opportunities: Highlight how partnerships can benefit all parties involved. For example, a city can benefit from improved citizen satisfaction, while a tech provider can showcase a successful implementation to attract future clients. Emphasise these mutual gains to establish trust and commitment.
    • Use Platforms: Leverage CommuniLab’s online community and professional networks like LinkedIn to share your expertise and connect with like-minded professionals. Regularly participate in discussions to keep your project visible and foster ongoing partnerships.

    By building connections you create a support system that drives innovation and ensures sustainable outcomes.

    How do I recruit people from the community to join the co-creational part of my pilot?

    Recruiting community members for co-creation is an essential step in CommuniCity's pilot projects, and other projects targeting social impact. The approach may vary depending on the specific characteristics and needs of the target group. The goal is to ensure participants see tangible value in their involvement while fostering an inclusive and collaborative environment. Here’s how you can effectively recruit and involve them:

    • Reach Out Locally: Use venues such as community centers, schools, local organisations, or places where your target group naturally gathers. In-person interaction can be vital for building trust and understanding their lived experiences, particularly for groups that might feel disconnected from virtual spaces. Tailor your outreach to align with your pilot project’s objectives while ensuring genuine engagement with the community.
    • Use Incentives: Provide incentives that resonate with your target group and align with their needs. These could include small rewards like vouchers, gifts, or even access to resources or training opportunities. Always ensure the incentives are meaningful and directly tied to their participation, reinforcing the value they gain from the process.
    • Leverage Trusted Figures: Collaborate with local leaders, community influencers, or organisations that already have established trust within the community. Their endorsement can lend credibility to your project and encourage participation. Transparently communicate your plan, partnerships, and the potential benefits for the community to ensure long-term commitment to the co-creational activities.
    • Ensure Inclusion: Address barriers that might prevent participation, such as lack of transportation, childcare, or accessibility needs. Providing solutions to these challenges can significantly increase participation rates and demonstrate your commitment to creating an inclusive and equitable environment.

    By adopting these strategies, you can effectively engage the community and create a pilot project that resonates with the target group, fostering collaboration and co-creation.

    How can I proceed after the piloting phase?

    Although CommuniCity pilots typically last for six months, if a solution is successful, it may be beneficial for both the tech provider and the city to continue collaboration to further develop or scale up the idea. After the completion of the pilot project, consider the following steps to assess the potential continuation of your project:

    1. Evaluate Results: Analyse the feedback and outcomes. Insights from city administrations, pilot managers, community groups, and others can provide valuable information on what successfully addressed a need and what may require further involvement.
    2. Develop a Roadmap: If you plan to continue developing your solution, it’s important to plan the steps needed for scaling or refining the project. Ensure your roadmap includes potential collaborations and connections that will be necessary.
    3. Seek Feedback: Engage stakeholders to validate future directions. If the collaboration was successful, maintain the connections and find ways to proceed together.
    4. Secure Funding: Identify sources to support further development. Although CommuniCity has ended, it’s crucial to have an income source to keep working on your project. Depending on the project and its objective, funding can come from state-funded projects, EU funds, private investors, and more.

    Technical Questions

    Check out this infographic on the specifications, sandbox and toolbox.

    What are the CommuniCity interoperability specifications and what is their purpose?

    The CommuniCity interoperability specification offers a framework for developing and implementing innovative software solutions for cities and communities, ensuring that various technologies and services can be integrated seamlessly across, promoting interoperability and replicability.

    OASC Minimal Interoperability Mechanisms (MIMs) represent the central part of the specification. Examples of MIMs are MIM1 (for the management of context information and comprehensive and integrated access to data from various sources); MIM2 (which offers guidelines and a catalogue of common data models to enable interoperability); and MIM3 (for the management of data and data processing services).

    The primary purpose of the CommuniCity interoperability specification is to facilitate interoperability between existing city IT infrastructures and new solutions, ensure that the latter can be replicated across different cities and domains, speeding up and simplifying the implementation of city solutions within a limited timeframe.

    What is the toolbox and what is its purpose?

    The CommuniCity Toolbox supports developers in implementing innovative solutions for cities and communities by offering a collection of software components that are already compliant with OASC MIMs and CommuniCity Interoperability specifications.

    For this purpose, the Toolbox offers:

    1) open-source software that serves as reference implementations of the MIMs and provides standardized methods for managing context information.

    2) a repository of open data models that provide standardized formats for data representation, ensuring that software solutions can be easily integrated and replicated across different cities.

    3) the provision of software following the SaaS paradigm (software as a service), including advanced AI algorithms and other services that developers can access via web applications or APIs.

    To summarise, the main purpose of the Toolbox is to facilitate the development of applications by providing ready-to-use components and services, reducing the time and effort needed for their implementation, and allowing developers to focus on creating impactful solutions, in compliance with CommuniCity Interoperability specifications; by promoting the use of standardized tools and data models, the Toolbox helps to ensure that software applications can be easily integrated and replicated across different cities.

    Detaila about the CommuniCity Toollbox are available on the dedicated Read The Docs page (https://communicity-docs.readthedocs.io/en/latest/) and GitHib repository (https://github.com/CommuniCityProject/communicity_toolbox).

    What is the sandbox and what is its purpose?

    The CommuniCity Sandbox offers a secure cloud environment to support developers in testing and validating their software applications for cities and communities. It offers a controlled environment where the developers can play with their applications to make them ready for real-world deployment.

    The Sandbox provides the developers with a pre-configured digital environment (e.g. virtual machines) already equipped with software tools compliant with the CommuniCity Interoperability specifications, such as the software components that are part of the CommuniCity Toolbox. This allows the developers to focus on their solutions without the need to configure these components from scratch.

    The main objective of the Sandbox is offer a safe and controller environment where developers can:

    1) experiment with their applications,

    2) identify and solve issues affecting their applications

    3) test the compliance of their applications with CommuniCity Interoperability specifications

    4) test how their applications interact with other systems and services.