Within ALFAwetlands, we developed and launched the online training course “Inclusive processes for collaborative actions.” The course is led by Stockholm University, ALFAwetlands partner and Work Package 2 leader, with contributions other ALFAwetlands partners: Michael Succow Foundation and Natural Resource Institute Finland (Luke). Its overall organisation and communication are coordinated by the European Wilderness Society, leader of ALFAwetlands Work Package 6. The training course incorporates also highlights from the ALFAwetlands Living Labs.
The Course consists of three sessions:
Session 1. Setting up a Living Lab
This session focused on the introduction to co-creation and inclusive wetland restoration, context of the “Living Lab” , and practice of knowledge co-creation. The session began with participant introductions through a Padlet wall, followed by presentations on co-creation theory and practice using a social-ecological systems approach. The trainers explained their methodology of organizing three workshops focusing on socio-ecological systems mapping, landscape walks, and action planning, using the case study of Living Lab Öland in Sweden. The session concluded with plans for participants to practice the system mapping exercise in breakout rooms, with group leaders facilitating using Miro boards. Participants were also encouraged to further develop their skills through homework assignments.
Session 2. Bringing plural actors together
ALFAwetlands second session of the training course was dedicated to bringing together plural actors in wetland restoration projects. Our lead trainers provided a recap of the previous session, emphasizing the importance of understanding living labs and social-ecological systems. The session then moved into discussions about coalition building, with participants sharing their experiences and challenges in engaging different stakeholders. Marie Lorenz & Sophie Hirschelmann from Michael Succow Foundation presented a case study from the ALFAwetlands Living Lab at the Upper Peene Valley in Germany, detailing their use of landscape walks as a tool for stakeholder engagement and knowledge co-production. Our trainers from Germany also shared a reflection on the format of landscape walks, including fostering connection, openness, basic attitude for joint knowledge production , cooperation and mutual appreciation.
The group explored various aspects of organizing and facilitating landscape walks, including participant selection, route planning, and creating a conducive environment for dialogue.
This time homework included visit a place and find answers to the questions:
- What does this place mean to you?
- What happens to you when you are here? What do you feel?
- Who has been involved in care and management of this place?
Session 3. Inclusive integrated strategies for action
This final training session focused on how participatory co-creation processes can move from shared visions to practical strategies, using tools such as the Three Horizons framework to help participants identify what needs to change, what needs to grow, and how individual and collective agency can support restoration. ALFAwetlands experts shared experiences from several living labs, highlighting both successes: such as motivated stakeholder engagement, strong local partnerships, and useful strategy development and challenges like balancing research and societal goals, managing expectations, securing funding, and ensuring meaningful local participation. The session concluded by emphasizing that successful inclusive restoration depends on openness, trust, flexibility, long-term engagement, and creating spaces where diverse actors can learn from one another and turn shared understanding into collective action. As usually, we appreciated active contribution of our participants, as well as follow up final survey feedback.
Our Library
We have also created and constantly updating a list providing additional resources to deepen understanding of co-creation approaches and inclusive, collaborative wetland restoration within the ALFAwetlands framework.
A guide to knowledge coproduction
Within ALFAwetlands, we have prepared the project Deliverable titled “Handbook: A Guide to Knowledge Coproduction in Multifunctional Landscapes“.
This guide provides methodological guidance for how to design a knowledge coproduction process tailored to deliver actionable knowledge for managing
landscapes and fresh water in line with the changing climate and strengthen the
capacity of local actors to take action.
Please consider, that his is a preliminary version of the Handbook and is a subject to possible change following feedback and review by CINEA, ALFAwetlands Granting Authority.
Introductory Webinar
On 28 January 2026 an online webinar Co-Creation for Inclusive & Collaborative Wetland Restoration took place. This event introduced approaches and practical tools for integrating Living Labs and knowledge co-creation into effective wetland restoration.
Recording of the webinar is available on ALFAwetlands Youtube Channel.