The RESPOnD project partners have developed a practical Handbook for the co-creation and production of knowledge in Alpine Wine Orchards, designed as an operational guide for partners working with winegrowers in the Alpine Space. The goal is straightforward: turn scattered expertise on climate change, ecosystem services and viticulture into a shared, structured process that can be replicated across different mountain wine regions.
At the core of the handbook is the Living Lab (LL) approach, which is a multi-stakeholder collaboration through joint meetings, exchanges, and knowledge sharing to be implemented in each pilot area of the RESPOnD project. Concretely, instead of imposing ready-made solutions, RESPOnD positions each pilot region as a “real-life laboratory” where winegrowers, technicians, researchers, public authorities and other actors jointly define problems and test Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) strategies. The handbook translates this philosophy into a clear three-phase trajectory:
- Building a common understanding – characterising local Alpine Wine Orchard systems, identifying climate vulnerabilities and mapping key ecosystem services.
- Co-designing a catalogue of EbA options – selecting environmental measures that are both technically actionable and acceptable at the local and regional levels.
- Testing EbA solutions and scaling them up – sharing the results on an Open Learning and Information Environment to support wider uptake in the wine sector.
Within the Handbook, a strong emphasis is placed on how to define a pilot region. It invites the readers to think beyond administrative boundaries and to combine geography (valleys, slopes, elevation), production systems (organic, terraced, irrigated), regulatory areas (PDO/PGI), and socio-economic features (farm size, generational change, identity). This multi-layered framing helps ensure that the Living Lab’s work reflects an actual functional system, not just a spot on a map.
On the operational side, the document provides very concrete guidance on how to plan, run and follow up Living Lab activities. It approaches stakeholders’ selection for the participation to a Living Lab setup, including how to select interested, diverse and engaged stakeholders. It also structures each meeting around three moments – before, during, after – with a focus on clear objectives, tailored invitations, transparent rules of engagement, and systematic feedback collection. It also offers a menu of participatory methods (world café, focus groups, scenario building, field visits, workshops, training courses) and digital tools (online boards, voting apps, collaborative platforms), with indications on when and how to use them.
Regarding data collection, the handbook insists on the principles of proportionality (collect only what is necessary), voluntary participation, and secure data management. It invites Living Lab organisers to ensure standardised information sheets and consent forms cover participation in research activities, use of recordings and images, and processing of personal data in line with GDPR requirements.
Finally, the document does not ignore the “weak signals” of failure. It lists typical pitfalls – weak governance, stakeholder fatigue, unrealistic expectations on what will actually be implemented, communication gaps – and suggests mitigation strategies: clearer role definition, regular updates, transparent discussion of constraints, and iterative fine-tuning of formats and methods.
In essence, the RESPOnD handbook is not just a methodological note. It is a blueprint for ensuring a participatory approach in ensuring climate resilience in Alpine Wine Orchards is to shape their future.