# 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  
A total of seven Living Labs from six different countries--Greece, Italy, Slovenia, Spain, Cyprus, and Bosnia and Herzegovina--were selected for this study to ensure a diverse and comprehensive analysis of knowledge transfer processes across various cultural, economic, and regulatory environments. The primary objective behind establishing various Living Labs was to foster the development of innovative solutions and concepts within the realms of energy refurbishment of buildings and green public procurement. The LLs participants were provided with essential knowledge and tools related to the energy-efficient refurbishment of buildings and the implementation of green procurement practices. The selection criteria for the Living Labs (LLs) focused on ensuring geographical and cultural diversity, with LLs chosen from six different countries to represent a broad range of cultural, economic, and regulatory environments across Europe. By including Living Labs from both Mediterranean and Central European countries, this study aims to capture a wide range of regional challenges and opportunities in green public procurement and energy refurbishment. The selected countries varied in economic development and regulatory frameworks, enabling this study to explore how these differences impact the adaptability of LL methodologies. Additionally, the LLs represented a mix of organizational types, including SMEs, public authorities, and educational institutions, to examine how different organizational characteristics influence knowledge transfer and innovation. The focus on energy-efficient refurbishment of buildings and green public procurement was a key criterion, aligning with this study's objectives. LLs were also required to comply with a structured operational methodology involving six phases, ensuring consistency in implementation across diverse contexts. Furthermore, the ability of the LLs to effectively engage stakeholders and tailor educational activities to local needs was a crucial factor in their selection. Finally, the LLs were chosen based on their potential to evaluate implemented solutions and disseminate findings effectively to relevant audiences, ensuring a comprehensive analysis of knowledge transfer and innovation in energy and green procurement across Europe. The working methodology or pathway for establishing all LLs consisted of six operational phases: Phase 1: Connect, Phase 2: Educate and Train, Phase 3: Implement, Phase 4: Improve, Phase 5: Evaluate, and Phase 6: Disseminate, as seen in Figure 1.  
In the first phase \"Connect\", the primary focus was on identifying and engaging relevant stakeholders, including SMEs, public authorities, and R&D institutions, to establish a network with clear leadership and defined roles. This network was built around a common problem or opportunity for collaboration. Following the connection phase, the \"Educate and Train\" phase offered workshops and training sessions on tools and methodologies for energy management, green procurement, and refurbishment. The goal of this phase was to equip stakeholders with the necessary knowledge and skills for the subsequent implementation phase. During the implementation phase, stakeholders were encouraged to apply and test the proposed solutions in real-world environments, providing valuable feedback for identifying areas of improvement. This feedback was then addressed in the \"Improve\" phase, where necessary adjustments and new solutions were developed. In the final stages, the process involves evaluating the effectiveness of the solutions and the overall Living Lab process, assessing outcomes, stakeholder experiences, and the overall impact. Based on this evaluation, guidelines and recommendations are developed. Following the evaluation, the results, knowledge, and best practices are shared with a broader audience, and findings are published along with recommendations for future Living Labs. Through these six operational phases, we can notice some differences among LLs.