Unleash the Power of Co-Creation: How Canada's Farms Are Revolutionizing Agriculture

DOYON+ partnered with the Living Lab in Open Innovation (LLio) and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) to lead Project Living Labs, a national initiative designed to co-create resilient solutions for Canada’s diverse agricultural landscapes. Through a series of workshops held in Agassiz, St-Hyacinthe, Winnipeg, Guelph, and Charlottetown, the project brought together agricultural stakeholders, researchers, and local communities to tackle challenges in climate resilience, soil and water health, and biodiversity.

Using the Living Labs methodology, DOYON+ co-facilitated sessions focused on empathy exercises, collaborative brainstorming, and prototype development, encouraging community-based problem-solving tailored to each region’s unique needs. This open innovation approach allowed participants to contribute local insights, which informed solutions that were both adaptable and practical for their specific agricultural contexts. The workshops also emphasized the importance of open data sharing, community engagement, and flexible frameworks that could evolve as agricultural and environmental needs change.

The project successfully provided AAFC with region-specific recommendations for pilot projects that improve environmental health and foster collaboration across sectors. By supporting a scalable and community-centered model, Project Living Labs has set the foundation for expanding these sustainable practices across Canada, demonstrating the effectiveness of co-creation in addressing complex agricultural challenges.