Kawsay Living Lab

What it is

The Kawsay Living Lab (KLL) is the backbone of the EMPOWER2LIV@UTN project. It brings together communities, researchers, students, and societal partners to co-create solutions to interconnected challenges in education, health, environment, economy, and nutrition, grounded in Saberes Ancestrales.

How it works

The Living Lab operates through thematic innovation hubs linked to the project’s subprojects. Each hub is a real-world space for collaboration, experimentation, and learning, where solutions are co-developed, tested, and refined with communities.

Who is involved

The Kawsay Living Lab engages Marginalized Urban and Rural (MUR) communities, UTN staff and students, Indigenous leaders, policymakers, civil society organisations, and private actors. Communities are not just beneficiaries — they are active partners throughout every phase of the process.

Why it matters

By combining Saberes Ancestrales with scientific knowledge, the KLL ensures that innovation is locally grounded, culturally relevant, and sustainable. This approach strengthens both community well-being and UTN’s role as a community-engaged university.