The Living Lab Andaluz–LivingSoiLL project has been awarded the 14th Social Engagement Prize by the Forum of Social Councils of Andalusia’s Public Universities, in the research projects category; this recognition highlights its contribution to open innovation, applied research and the transfer of knowledge for the benefit of society.
The award, presented on 25 June 2026, recognises initiatives that strengthen collaboration between universities, businesses and institutions, with the aim of generating a positive impact on the social and productive environment, thereby consolidating the role of Andalusian public universities as agents of regional transformation.
The Andalusian Living Lab (LivingSoiLL) forms part of a European consortium comprising five living labs located in Spain, Portugal, France, Italy and Poland, and constitutes a collaborative innovation platform focused on developing solutions to improve soil health in olive groves.
The project aims to work alongside farmers and industry stakeholders to move towards a more sustainable, resilient and digitalised olive-growing model, capable of tackling key challenges such as drought, soil erosion, reducing pollution and biodiversity loss, thereby contributing to the improvement of soil quality and the sustainability of the production system.
In this context, the Andalusian Living Lab acts as a space for multidisciplinary collaboration in which researchers, farmers, businesses and institutions work together on the design, development and validation of innovative solutions aimed at conserving and restoring soil health in woody crops.
The initiative also provides financial, technological and logistical support to farmers, facilitating the adoption of innovative practices that help to increase the resilience of farms to the effects of climate change and improve the sector’s overall sustainability.
Juan Manuel Jurado, head of the INUO’s Digital Transformation and Artificial Intelligence Unit and project coordinator, has pointed out that this recognition “reinforces the commitment to social and technological innovation” and highlights the effectiveness of collaboration between universities and society as a driving force for progress.
The Social Engagement Award from the Forum of Social Councils of Andalusia’s Public Universities thus consolidates the Andalusian Living Lab – LivingSoiLL as a benchmark in the field of open innovation applied to the olive-growing sector, highlighting its role in generating solutions geared towards social, environmental and productive impact.
