LAUDS co-creation workshops at Xylolab and LF2L
The UL team organized two workshops to foster collaboration and dialogue on the definition of the LAUDS factory. The first one involved the DHDA network (Des Hommes et Des Arbres / human and trees) and took place at Xylolab, Epinal, France, on April 11, 2024, with 17 participants, including 13 active members and a delegation of local authority representatives and technicians. The second workshop followed on April 25, 2024, at LF2L, Nancy, France, bringing together 16 participants part of the Octroi-Nancy, Citizen and creative third place.
These two workshops were organized to further the LAUDS factory project and discuss the associated concept of local and distributed manufacturing within networks of innovation and cultural spaces already established in the region.
The first workshop, held in the city of Epinal, focused on the DHDA territorial project's open innovation team, a collaborative network of nine innovation labs that has been active since 2021. During the workshop, participants examined how the labs could function as sub-factories within a larger, distributed LAUDS Factory, supporting new project leaders and facilitating co-creation processes. The discussion was framed around the Do-It-Together (DIT) approach, a method developed through the European INEDIT project, which encourages collective innovation and production. By leveraging local resources and networks, the aim is to promote sustainability, short distribution channels, and the integration of local expertise in manufacturing processes. The session allowed participants to assess how each lab could contribute specific skills and resources to regional projects, while also identifying gaps in infrastructure and support that need to be addressed.
The second workshop, held in Nancy, involved members of the Octroi-Nancy third place, a creative and cultural hub in the city center. This workshop focused on transforming Octroi-Nancy into a LAUDS Factory that supports artistic, cultural, and creative projects. Participants, including project leaders, creative entrepreneurs, and local stakeholders, evaluated the current strengths and challenges of the space, particularly its capacity to engage in circular economy practices and foster local production. The workshop identified opportunities for improving collaboration between the various project leaders and the wider community, with a focus on enhancing co-creation activities and better integrating local resources into the project lifecycle. However, participants also recognized that, while many creative entrepreneurs possess valuable skills and equipment, there is a need for more formal structures to facilitate resource sharing, training, and collaboration across projects.
The workshops demonstrated the potential of the LAUDS Factory concept to enhance regional innovation and sustainable manufacturing by leveraging existing networks. However, challenges remain, including the need for stronger logistical frameworks, long-term support from local authorities, better coordination between stakeholders, and improved resource-sharing and infrastructure.
