# Enhancing Knowledge on Energy Refurbishment of Buildings and Green Procurement through Living Labs
## 2 Evaluate Knowledge Enhancement of Living Labs: A Methodological Approach
### Participating Living Labs and Setting up Methodology
The approach to connecting with stakeholders varied significantly. For example, some LLs (like those in Slovenia and Cyprus) had a strong focus on involving public authorities and SMEs early in the process, emphasizing green public procurement. In contrast, other Labs might have prioritized different types of stakeholders, such as research institutions or community organizations, depending on the local context and specific goals of the LLs. The educational activities and training sessions were tailored to the specific needs of the participants in each LL. For instance, in Slovenia, the focus was on educating stakeholders about the eGPP tool and green public procurement, while in other Labs, training might have been more oriented towards energy management or green refurbishment techniques. The content and depth of training were adjusted based on the existing knowledge levels of the stakeholders involved. The implementation phase differed based on the specific tools and strategies being tested. In Slovenia, the emphasis was on implementing the eGPP tool among SMEs and public authorities, with a focus on entering products and  
Figure 1: Living labs set up methodology. using green public procurement. Other LLs may have implemented different solutions or tools relevant to their specific focus, such as energy efficiency measures or green building practices. The improvement phase involved collecting feedback and adjusting the tools or processes used in each LL. The nature of these improvements varied depending on the initial implementation results. For example, in Slovenia, improvements were made to the eGPP tool based on user feedback, focusing on ease of use and functionality. In other LLs, improvements might have focused on different areas, such as the LCC tool, refining training materials or adjusting the focus of educational sessions. While the same evaluation methods and metrics were used when measuring general knowledge, when going into a specific scope and topics, the evaluation was adopted to reflect their different objectives and the tools they implemented. In some LLs, evaluation focused on the effectiveness of knowledge transfer in the field of green polices or funding, while others might have emphasized the impact of implemented solutions on energy efficiency or procurement processes. The dissemination activities also varied, with some LLs focusing on national or regional events to share their findings and best practices, while others aimed for broader, transnational dissemination through conferences, publications, and networking events. The specific audiences targeted during dissemination varied depending on the LLs' focus and the stakeholders involved. LLs were addressing a broad spectrum of challenges, ranging from green public procurement, green funding and mentoring, green policy, and electricity consumption, with the following focus relevant to their countries specific needs:  
* The LLs in Slovenia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, focused on sharing and gaining expertise in tackling challenges associated with green public procurement;
* The LLs in Italy and Greece assumed a leading role in addressing funding and mentoring-related challenges;
* The LLs in Cyprus and Italy played a pivotal role in shaping green policy solutions;
* The LL in Spain focused on an aspect of electricity consumption and energy management solutions. The diversity of fields and contexts presents an excellent opportunity for comparing evaluation results related to different cultural environments, specific area characteristics, and various topics. The Living Labs engaged a diverse range of stakeholders, including policymakers, energy efficiency experts, financing experts, public authorities (PAs), and small and medium enterprises (SME). Public authorities, such as universities, chambers of commerce, and development agencies, were responsible for energy refurbishment of buildings and green public procurement. Companies participated as potential product or service providers.