G.S. Celik
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1
Hydrogen integration at Dutch regional energy hubs appears to stall not because of technology but because no institutional arrangement adequately governs the conditions under which projects may operate on financeable terms. Grid access is the binding constraint: investment depends on how many hours a connection permits operation, what curtailment costs, and whether those hours coincide with renewable generation eligibility. At Cluster 6 nodes, outside reinforcement priority plans and lacking near-term access certainty, these interdependencies remain unresolved. This paper identifies five decision uncertainties arising at the boundaries between potential hub developers and network operators, across four coordination requirements: siting, access portfolio construction, curtailment and settlement design, and hub governance in Cluster 6-type contexts. In response, four coordination strategies are identified using existing Dutch regulatory instruments and configured into two lifecycle-sequenced integration pathways matched to observable hub conditions. The analysis indicates that no single instrument, on its own, is likely to secure the institutional conditions associated with financeability; rather, those conditions depend on how instruments are combined across the wider coordination arrangement.
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Hydrogen integration at Dutch regional energy hubs appears to stall not because of technology but because no institutional arrangement adequately governs the conditions under which projects may operate on financeable terms. Grid access is the binding constraint: investment depends on how many hours a connection permits operation, what curtailment costs, and whether those hours coincide with renewable generation eligibility. At Cluster 6 nodes, outside reinforcement priority plans and lacking near-term access certainty, these interdependencies remain unresolved. This paper identifies five decision uncertainties arising at the boundaries between potential hub developers and network operators, across four coordination requirements: siting, access portfolio construction, curtailment and settlement design, and hub governance in Cluster 6-type contexts. In response, four coordination strategies are identified using existing Dutch regulatory instruments and configured into two lifecycle-sequenced integration pathways matched to observable hub conditions. The analysis indicates that no single instrument, on its own, is likely to secure the institutional conditions associated with financeability; rather, those conditions depend on how instruments are combined across the wider coordination arrangement.
Journal article
(2025)
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Mahshid Hasankhani, Renske van 't Veer, Sine Celik, Amineh Ghorbani, Jan Carel Diehl, Jo van Engelen
Integrating hydrogen into energy systems presents challenges involving social dynamics among stakeholders beyond technical considerations. A gap exists in understanding how these dynamics influence the deployment of hydrogen technologies and infrastructure, particularly in infrastructure development and market demand for widespread adoption. In the Netherlands, despite ambitious strategies and investments, comprehensive explanations of social dynamics' impact on integration processes and market development are lacking. This study addresses this gap by analyzing the hydrogen value chain and stakeholder interactions in the Dutch hydrogen sector. A literature review highlights system integration challenges and the need for decentralized coordination and cross-sector collaboration. Using the Dutch energy grid and its hydrogen initiatives as a case study, social network analysis and semi-structured interviews are applied to analyze over 60 hydrogen initiatives involving more than 340 stakeholders. Initiatives are categorized into large-scale centralized and decentralized local types based on scale and stakeholder involvement, allowing targeted analysis of stakeholder interactions in different contexts. Findings reveal that centralized networks may limit innovation due to concentrated influence, while decentralized networks encourage innovation but require better coordination. These insights guide strategic planning and policymaking in hydrogen energy initiatives, aiming to enhance scalability and efficiency of hydrogen technologies for sustainable energy solutions.
...
Integrating hydrogen into energy systems presents challenges involving social dynamics among stakeholders beyond technical considerations. A gap exists in understanding how these dynamics influence the deployment of hydrogen technologies and infrastructure, particularly in infrastructure development and market demand for widespread adoption. In the Netherlands, despite ambitious strategies and investments, comprehensive explanations of social dynamics' impact on integration processes and market development are lacking. This study addresses this gap by analyzing the hydrogen value chain and stakeholder interactions in the Dutch hydrogen sector. A literature review highlights system integration challenges and the need for decentralized coordination and cross-sector collaboration. Using the Dutch energy grid and its hydrogen initiatives as a case study, social network analysis and semi-structured interviews are applied to analyze over 60 hydrogen initiatives involving more than 340 stakeholders. Initiatives are categorized into large-scale centralized and decentralized local types based on scale and stakeholder involvement, allowing targeted analysis of stakeholder interactions in different contexts. Findings reveal that centralized networks may limit innovation due to concentrated influence, while decentralized networks encourage innovation but require better coordination. These insights guide strategic planning and policymaking in hydrogen energy initiatives, aiming to enhance scalability and efficiency of hydrogen technologies for sustainable energy solutions.
The UN Development Programme, operating at a global scale, is transitioning to a new approach for tackling complex national and international challenges. This involves moving away from single point solutions (initiatives) to a more flexible, multi-layered approach called ‘portfolios’. However, the transition has not been easy. This action research project, based in a number of countries with UNDP projects, explores how the portfolio approach can be made more accessible and comprehensible for UNDP Country Offices. Through examples that range from gender equality, waste management, and green transitions, we analyse how objects, and the stories that they unlock, can play a role in framing systemic understandings for a far wider range of actors and stakeholders than the portfolio approach currently allows. We design a workshop as a research action, to demonstrate how object-oriented storytelling can enhance systemic understanding and set the foundation for more effective interventions.
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The UN Development Programme, operating at a global scale, is transitioning to a new approach for tackling complex national and international challenges. This involves moving away from single point solutions (initiatives) to a more flexible, multi-layered approach called ‘portfolios’. However, the transition has not been easy. This action research project, based in a number of countries with UNDP projects, explores how the portfolio approach can be made more accessible and comprehensible for UNDP Country Offices. Through examples that range from gender equality, waste management, and green transitions, we analyse how objects, and the stories that they unlock, can play a role in framing systemic understandings for a far wider range of actors and stakeholders than the portfolio approach currently allows. We design a workshop as a research action, to demonstrate how object-oriented storytelling can enhance systemic understanding and set the foundation for more effective interventions.
As the transition to sustainable energy intensifies, hydrogen emerges as a pivotal medium in mitigating climate change and improving energy security. While its applicability across various sectors is undeniable, its integration into established energy systems presents multifaceted challenges. This study investigates the complexities of integrating hydrogen into the Netherlands' energy systems. Beyond technological advancements, the successful design and rollout of a hydrogen supply chain require coordination and collaboration among a myriad of stakeholders. Through a mixed-methods approach, this study combines findings from a broad literature review, policy document analyses, evaluation of 59 field projects, and engaging dialogues with 33 key stakeholders from different sectors. This investigation led to the identification and categorization of key players in the Dutch hydrogen sector, revealing their interconnected roles and the challenges encountered in the hydrogen integration process. The study further categorized the identified challenges faced by stakeholders into five core domains: technical, infrastructural (including supply chain), socioeconomic, environmental, and institutional, with associated factors. Prominent challenges include transportation infrastructure upgrades, high initial costs and scalability, effective storage methods, safety and cybersecurity measures, storage and distribution infrastructure, security of supply, and public acceptance. This study contributes to the hydrogen integration discourse, offering insights for academics, industry, and policymakers. Its detailed stakeholder analysis, holistic categorization of challenges across five domains, and a stakeholder-centric approach grounded in real-world dialogues offer applicable frameworks beyond its primary context. In this vein, it guides future research and decisions, and its approach is adaptable for different regions or sectors, emphasizing comprehensive transition strategies.
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As the transition to sustainable energy intensifies, hydrogen emerges as a pivotal medium in mitigating climate change and improving energy security. While its applicability across various sectors is undeniable, its integration into established energy systems presents multifaceted challenges. This study investigates the complexities of integrating hydrogen into the Netherlands' energy systems. Beyond technological advancements, the successful design and rollout of a hydrogen supply chain require coordination and collaboration among a myriad of stakeholders. Through a mixed-methods approach, this study combines findings from a broad literature review, policy document analyses, evaluation of 59 field projects, and engaging dialogues with 33 key stakeholders from different sectors. This investigation led to the identification and categorization of key players in the Dutch hydrogen sector, revealing their interconnected roles and the challenges encountered in the hydrogen integration process. The study further categorized the identified challenges faced by stakeholders into five core domains: technical, infrastructural (including supply chain), socioeconomic, environmental, and institutional, with associated factors. Prominent challenges include transportation infrastructure upgrades, high initial costs and scalability, effective storage methods, safety and cybersecurity measures, storage and distribution infrastructure, security of supply, and public acceptance. This study contributes to the hydrogen integration discourse, offering insights for academics, industry, and policymakers. Its detailed stakeholder analysis, holistic categorization of challenges across five domains, and a stakeholder-centric approach grounded in real-world dialogues offer applicable frameworks beyond its primary context. In this vein, it guides future research and decisions, and its approach is adaptable for different regions or sectors, emphasizing comprehensive transition strategies.
Conference paper
(2024)
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M. van der Bijl-Brouwer, S Celik, J.I.J.C. de Koning, A.B.D. Nieuwborg, N. Tromp
One of the emergent approaches towards designing (for) transitions and transformations is the application of systemic design: the integration of systems theories and practice with design theories and practices. Within this field we identified two dominant perspectives and associate practices: using systemic visualisations as a sense-making tool of complex challenges, and ‘designing from within’ by means of collective designing by system stakeholders. In this paper we introduce a third perspective and practice that we call ‘systemic design reasoning’. This perspective combines the abductive reasoning logic of design with various systems theories and practices to develop ‘systemic design rationales’. We developed six systemic design principles to support this reasoning practice. Each principle is based on a specific systems theory and practice. We illustrate the principles with examples of their application in research and in education. We conclude with a research agenda to further the practice of systemic design reasoning.
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One of the emergent approaches towards designing (for) transitions and transformations is the application of systemic design: the integration of systems theories and practice with design theories and practices. Within this field we identified two dominant perspectives and associate practices: using systemic visualisations as a sense-making tool of complex challenges, and ‘designing from within’ by means of collective designing by system stakeholders. In this paper we introduce a third perspective and practice that we call ‘systemic design reasoning’. This perspective combines the abductive reasoning logic of design with various systems theories and practices to develop ‘systemic design rationales’. We developed six systemic design principles to support this reasoning practice. Each principle is based on a specific systems theory and practice. We illustrate the principles with examples of their application in research and in education. We conclude with a research agenda to further the practice of systemic design reasoning.
Environmental considerations in engineering
Systemic differences between experts and novices
Engineering knowledge forms an essential part of our planetary fight against climate change. Traditionally, engineering curricula emphasizes the importance of technical knowledge and encourages to specialize in niche areas, where engineers develop themselves into experts. However, it is important to be able to reflect on complex societal challenges from a variety of perspectives to produce not only innovative, but also long-lasting and inclusive solutions for the greater good. This paper aims to understand the extent of systems thinking abilities of engineers by differentiating experts from novices. The study traces sustainability connections made by professional engineers and master's level engineering students when solving engineering design problems. This qualitative study highlights seven recurring themes that relate to the global sustainability discourse and describe a problem-centred approach through a real-life case that focuses on paper and pulp production, through a thematic analysis of 59 responses. The results portray system-level differences in how novice and expert engineers approach sustainability questions and how these differences shape their solution spaces.
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Engineering knowledge forms an essential part of our planetary fight against climate change. Traditionally, engineering curricula emphasizes the importance of technical knowledge and encourages to specialize in niche areas, where engineers develop themselves into experts. However, it is important to be able to reflect on complex societal challenges from a variety of perspectives to produce not only innovative, but also long-lasting and inclusive solutions for the greater good. This paper aims to understand the extent of systems thinking abilities of engineers by differentiating experts from novices. The study traces sustainability connections made by professional engineers and master's level engineering students when solving engineering design problems. This qualitative study highlights seven recurring themes that relate to the global sustainability discourse and describe a problem-centred approach through a real-life case that focuses on paper and pulp production, through a thematic analysis of 59 responses. The results portray system-level differences in how novice and expert engineers approach sustainability questions and how these differences shape their solution spaces.
Distributed hydrogen infrastructures have emerged as a complementary element in the quest for sustainable energy solutions, with potential applications in regions featuring high industrial demands and spatially resolved negative residual loads. These infrastructures can contribute to the decarbonization of electricity, heating, and transport sectors while enhancing local renewable energy consumption and supporting energy storage and demand-side management. However, their development presents unique design challenges, calling for a comprehensive understanding of stakeholder roles and relationships in the evolving ecosystem. This study examines stakeholder network dynamics within the distributed hydrogen ecosystem, focusing on the Netherlands' built environments. Through the analysis of 16 case studies, we employ Social Network Analysis (SNA) to identify and analyse stakeholder network involved in the early design and implementation of distributed hydrogen infrastructures. Our findings highlight emerging roles and interests due to the rise of such infrastructures, emphasizing the need for adaptable stakeholder relations. Design plays a critical role in this context, enabling stakeholders to navigate challenges, innovate, and foster collaboration. The paper explores stakeholder categories, providing insights into their interactions and coordination strategies. Ultimately, our study offers valuable guidance to practitioners and policymakers, promoting stakeholder collaboration for successful distributed hydrogen infrastructure deployment in pursuit of a sustainable, low-carbon energy future.
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Distributed hydrogen infrastructures have emerged as a complementary element in the quest for sustainable energy solutions, with potential applications in regions featuring high industrial demands and spatially resolved negative residual loads. These infrastructures can contribute to the decarbonization of electricity, heating, and transport sectors while enhancing local renewable energy consumption and supporting energy storage and demand-side management. However, their development presents unique design challenges, calling for a comprehensive understanding of stakeholder roles and relationships in the evolving ecosystem. This study examines stakeholder network dynamics within the distributed hydrogen ecosystem, focusing on the Netherlands' built environments. Through the analysis of 16 case studies, we employ Social Network Analysis (SNA) to identify and analyse stakeholder network involved in the early design and implementation of distributed hydrogen infrastructures. Our findings highlight emerging roles and interests due to the rise of such infrastructures, emphasizing the need for adaptable stakeholder relations. Design plays a critical role in this context, enabling stakeholders to navigate challenges, innovate, and foster collaboration. The paper explores stakeholder categories, providing insights into their interactions and coordination strategies. Ultimately, our study offers valuable guidance to practitioners and policymakers, promoting stakeholder collaboration for successful distributed hydrogen infrastructure deployment in pursuit of a sustainable, low-carbon energy future.
In the midst of climate change, and the need to seek more sustainable ways of living, design is increasingly tackling problems at a societal level. This paper reflects on a strategic design project at a Brazilian foundation focused on sustainable development in the Amazon rainforest region. In this study, we asked what contributions design can bring to organisations involved in addressing development issues. The paper describes several experiments and strategies to make it tangible to non-designers howa design-led process unfolds and how design can support the organisation's efforts in delivering value to the communities they serve. The case study offers an example on how design practices combined with systemic approaches can spark increasing levelsof collaboration across siloed departments
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In the midst of climate change, and the need to seek more sustainable ways of living, design is increasingly tackling problems at a societal level. This paper reflects on a strategic design project at a Brazilian foundation focused on sustainable development in the Amazon rainforest region. In this study, we asked what contributions design can bring to organisations involved in addressing development issues. The paper describes several experiments and strategies to make it tangible to non-designers howa design-led process unfolds and how design can support the organisation's efforts in delivering value to the communities they serve. The case study offers an example on how design practices combined with systemic approaches can spark increasing levelsof collaboration across siloed departments
Purpose: This paper aims to present key characteristics of educational design briefs for the circular economy (CE) through the analysis of 11 design briefs focussing on real-life challenges related to sustainability and the CE, developed with collaborating industry partners for four consecutive circular design internships conducted in Ireland, Catalunya, The Netherlands and Sweden. Design/methodology/approach: These four internships were conducted between September 2017 and June 2019 and each internship lasted three to four months. The supervisors for each internship collaborated with local industry partners genuinely interested in adopting sustainable business practices to develop design briefs focussing on real-life challenges they face. The briefs for each internship were developed further according to the feedback of the interns, industry partners and supervisors of previous internships. Findings: Five steps of brief making for circular design were identified as reviewing the existing resources, emphasizing the importance of systems thinking, emphasizing the importance of collaboration for the CE, focussing on circularity and communicating expectations. The paper outlines how design briefs changed throughout the consecutive internships according to the different curricula and the characteristics of an educational circular design brief. Originality/value: For design educators and researchers, the value of this paper lies in presenting the steps for the brief making of educational circular design projects. Additionally, the characteristics of circular design briefs are outlined, discussing their focus and content to act as a guide for design educators.
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Purpose: This paper aims to present key characteristics of educational design briefs for the circular economy (CE) through the analysis of 11 design briefs focussing on real-life challenges related to sustainability and the CE, developed with collaborating industry partners for four consecutive circular design internships conducted in Ireland, Catalunya, The Netherlands and Sweden. Design/methodology/approach: These four internships were conducted between September 2017 and June 2019 and each internship lasted three to four months. The supervisors for each internship collaborated with local industry partners genuinely interested in adopting sustainable business practices to develop design briefs focussing on real-life challenges they face. The briefs for each internship were developed further according to the feedback of the interns, industry partners and supervisors of previous internships. Findings: Five steps of brief making for circular design were identified as reviewing the existing resources, emphasizing the importance of systems thinking, emphasizing the importance of collaboration for the CE, focussing on circularity and communicating expectations. The paper outlines how design briefs changed throughout the consecutive internships according to the different curricula and the characteristics of an educational circular design brief. Originality/value: For design educators and researchers, the value of this paper lies in presenting the steps for the brief making of educational circular design projects. Additionally, the characteristics of circular design briefs are outlined, discussing their focus and content to act as a guide for design educators.
On the Paradoxical Nature of Innovation
Evidence from Social Networks in Fryslân
With the ever-growing development of technology, being able to innovate is the ultimate goal to create an advantage for organizations, regions and countries. Innovation enables the prosperous growth of communities all over the world, but not all regions are able to keep up. This thesis focuses on regions that have not benefitted fully from this innovative development. Fryslân, a northern province of the Netherlands, is an example of such a region. This research aims to explore the social constructs that block progress and help regions to enhance their innovative output.
To provide a holistic understanding of regional innovation systems, this research determines two consecutive paradoxes. Paradox 1 relates to the interdependency of social and technical processes within innovation systems. A comprehensive approach to innovation must consider social processes as a part of innovation, which makes understanding social constructs crucial. Social relationships form a significant part of social constructs, which are the enablers of the knowledge exchange that will lead towards an innovation ecosystem. Paradox 2 focuses on the contradictory set of relationships between actors. Social relationships among a group of individuals are commonly identified as networks and therefore, social network analysis (SNA) is an appropriate tool to study the social constructs that are relevant for innovation systems.
The analysis showed that the networks in Fryslân are compact and not open enough for external knowledge. In addition, the actors that are involved are weakly connected to each other. Although the strong friendship bonds play a role in the hampering closed-like social structure of the province, the least problematic network in Fryslân is the friendship network and, therefore, it must be utilized for the purpose of innovation. Friendship does not have a direct link to innovation, but the power of existing networks and the local dynamics makes the friendship network the best path towards innovative progress. ...
To provide a holistic understanding of regional innovation systems, this research determines two consecutive paradoxes. Paradox 1 relates to the interdependency of social and technical processes within innovation systems. A comprehensive approach to innovation must consider social processes as a part of innovation, which makes understanding social constructs crucial. Social relationships form a significant part of social constructs, which are the enablers of the knowledge exchange that will lead towards an innovation ecosystem. Paradox 2 focuses on the contradictory set of relationships between actors. Social relationships among a group of individuals are commonly identified as networks and therefore, social network analysis (SNA) is an appropriate tool to study the social constructs that are relevant for innovation systems.
The analysis showed that the networks in Fryslân are compact and not open enough for external knowledge. In addition, the actors that are involved are weakly connected to each other. Although the strong friendship bonds play a role in the hampering closed-like social structure of the province, the least problematic network in Fryslân is the friendship network and, therefore, it must be utilized for the purpose of innovation. Friendship does not have a direct link to innovation, but the power of existing networks and the local dynamics makes the friendship network the best path towards innovative progress. ...
With the ever-growing development of technology, being able to innovate is the ultimate goal to create an advantage for organizations, regions and countries. Innovation enables the prosperous growth of communities all over the world, but not all regions are able to keep up. This thesis focuses on regions that have not benefitted fully from this innovative development. Fryslân, a northern province of the Netherlands, is an example of such a region. This research aims to explore the social constructs that block progress and help regions to enhance their innovative output.
To provide a holistic understanding of regional innovation systems, this research determines two consecutive paradoxes. Paradox 1 relates to the interdependency of social and technical processes within innovation systems. A comprehensive approach to innovation must consider social processes as a part of innovation, which makes understanding social constructs crucial. Social relationships form a significant part of social constructs, which are the enablers of the knowledge exchange that will lead towards an innovation ecosystem. Paradox 2 focuses on the contradictory set of relationships between actors. Social relationships among a group of individuals are commonly identified as networks and therefore, social network analysis (SNA) is an appropriate tool to study the social constructs that are relevant for innovation systems.
The analysis showed that the networks in Fryslân are compact and not open enough for external knowledge. In addition, the actors that are involved are weakly connected to each other. Although the strong friendship bonds play a role in the hampering closed-like social structure of the province, the least problematic network in Fryslân is the friendship network and, therefore, it must be utilized for the purpose of innovation. Friendship does not have a direct link to innovation, but the power of existing networks and the local dynamics makes the friendship network the best path towards innovative progress.
To provide a holistic understanding of regional innovation systems, this research determines two consecutive paradoxes. Paradox 1 relates to the interdependency of social and technical processes within innovation systems. A comprehensive approach to innovation must consider social processes as a part of innovation, which makes understanding social constructs crucial. Social relationships form a significant part of social constructs, which are the enablers of the knowledge exchange that will lead towards an innovation ecosystem. Paradox 2 focuses on the contradictory set of relationships between actors. Social relationships among a group of individuals are commonly identified as networks and therefore, social network analysis (SNA) is an appropriate tool to study the social constructs that are relevant for innovation systems.
The analysis showed that the networks in Fryslân are compact and not open enough for external knowledge. In addition, the actors that are involved are weakly connected to each other. Although the strong friendship bonds play a role in the hampering closed-like social structure of the province, the least problematic network in Fryslân is the friendship network and, therefore, it must be utilized for the purpose of innovation. Friendship does not have a direct link to innovation, but the power of existing networks and the local dynamics makes the friendship network the best path towards innovative progress.
Sustainable Innovation and Entrepreneurship Methodology
A manual for student project work in Innolabs
Report
(2016)
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Carla Smink, Sine Celik, Peter Joore, Yiannis Konnaris, Panayiotis Christodoulou, Kaspars Osis, Elina Baranovska, Inga Raukas, Harri Moora, Nameda Belmane
This report presents the Sustainable Innovation and Entrepreneurship Methodology developed within the EU-funded InnoLabs project (2014–2016). The project aimed to establish student innovation laboratories that foster cross-sectoral, multidisciplinary approaches to complex societal challenges. Drawing primarily on practices from Aalborg University and insights from partner institutions in Latvia, Estonia, and Cyprus, the manual outlines organisational guidelines for integrating large, problem-based student projects into higher-education curricula. Key components include semester themes, project catalogues, group formation processes, supervision structures, and assessment approaches. The report consolidates experiences, templates, and examples to support universities in implementing and refining innovation labs as platforms for sustainable, co-creative learning and regional development.
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This report presents the Sustainable Innovation and Entrepreneurship Methodology developed within the EU-funded InnoLabs project (2014–2016). The project aimed to establish student innovation laboratories that foster cross-sectoral, multidisciplinary approaches to complex societal challenges. Drawing primarily on practices from Aalborg University and insights from partner institutions in Latvia, Estonia, and Cyprus, the manual outlines organisational guidelines for integrating large, problem-based student projects into higher-education curricula. Key components include semester themes, project catalogues, group formation processes, supervision structures, and assessment approaches. The report consolidates experiences, templates, and examples to support universities in implementing and refining innovation labs as platforms for sustainable, co-creative learning and regional development.