Living labs in Novkent, Yuksalish and Lolazor Digital Villages
Digital Villages initiative (DVI)
Description
Living Labs have been identified as a valid method of bringing together diverse stakeholders, including end-users, researchers, private sector organizations and policymakers, to collectively address pressing development challenges. The approach has been successfully implemented in Novkent and Yuksalish, two rural communities in Uzbekistan, and in the village of Lolazor of Tajikistan, as FAO’s first pilot Digital Villages in these countries. In Uzbekistan, Living Labs have led communities to collaborate in the identification and testing of innovative solutions to such critical issues as water scarcity, plant disease, climate change and production challenges. In Tajikistan, three thematic Living Labs have been organized focused on agri-entrepreneurship, livestock and pasture management, and access to funding through small grant programmes for individual farmers and women entrepreneurs. By employing co-exploration, co-design, and co-experimentation approaches, the participants of the Labs identified the main challenges they faced, and developed innovative business ideas and social projects aimed at tackling agricultural and livelihood issues.
Technology
In Uzbekistan, Living Labs are hosted both in the physical and digital realms, with the latter bringing together residents of the Novkent and Yusalish communities with experts and stakeholders in an online environment. A Telegram group has been created to support continuous debates and exchanges of knowledge through a chat forum, addressing subjects ranging from weather forecasts and agricultural best practices to the sale of agricultural products. Regular video calls with experts are organized to encourage dynamic exchanges between farmers and specialists. In addition to the Telegram group, a YouTube channel has been established that serves as a centralized hub for the dissemination of relevant knowledge (more details can be found under the “Digital Hub” intervention). The Living Labs in Tajikistan have been conducted in a physical venue with reliable Wi-Fi connectivity, allowing participants to engage through Zoom with the guest speaker, who could not attend in person. In the third Living Lab, in which focus was on funding opportunities, the guest speakers showcased various funding opportunities accessible via social media and other online channels (e.g. USAID grants, crowdfunding platform “Kiva”). The participants were provided with a step-by-step guide on how to use their phones to identify appropriate small grant opportunities in Tajikistan, local crowdfunding platforms and calls for business proposals.
Target
Freely accessible to all members of the targeted rural communities, Living Labs focus on encouraging participation from smallholder farmers and vulnerable households, and include special Labs exclusively for women. Significant efforts have been made to include people from vulnerable households, resulting in a diverse range of attendees, including those with disabilities and single mothers. The workshops are joined by experts from various sectors, including extensionists, farm advisors, agronomists, agrarian university professors, and representatives of local administrations and the private sector. Guest speakers from institutions like the Business Incubator, the UNIDO Textile and Wool Business Development Programme, the Academy of Agricultural Sciences, IPark, etc. have joined the community members. Notably, institutions such as IPark and the Academy of Agricultural Sciences of Tajikistan have emerged as potential collaborators for the development of digital solutions for the monitoring of animal health.
Business model
Living Labs are open to all, and there is no cost for attendance. In Uzbekistan, the Labs have been hosted in existing community facilities, including a village community centre, an elementary school and even in one of the participant farmer’s back yard. FAO has provided financial support to the Labs in the form of refreshments or by providing the ingredients for the preparation of plov – a traditional Uzbekistani meal that is traditionally served during communal gatherings. In Tajikistan, the sessions have been hosted in a well-equipped venue due to limited village amenities, offering reliable Wi-Fi and a stable electricity supply. Guest speakers join the events for no charge for their initial involvement, and are offered a token fee if invited for the second time, as a way of expressing appreciation for their valuable time and contributions.
Impact
The Living Labs in Novkent and Yuksalish have served as a platform encouraging collaborations and engagements between communities and experts from diverse fields. By bringing together end-users, researchers, private sector organizations and policymakers, the Living Labs have raised awareness about the challenges faced by the communities and have facilitated the identification of solutions. Both the physical and virtual meetings have supported the sharing of knowledge and idea development. As a result of the three Living Labs hosted in Lolazor, the community has become more active on social media platforms, and has started marketing its agricultural products, such as grapes and apples, as well as seedlings. Furthermore, the community has embraced social media for the sharing of daily news and captivating landscape views through the Telegram “Digital Lolazor” chat group, featuring news articles related to the village, including construction projects and traditional celebrations, and other relevant information.
Partners
Local universities, IT Park, AKIS, FAO, Tajik State Unitary Enterprise “Business Incubator”, Academy of Agricultural Sciences, IPark, UNIDO textile and wool business development programme, USAID/DAI Livelihood Programme, Zerkalo
Four Betters
Better production
Better environment
Better life
