The European Spa & Longevity Living Lab is an open-innovation ecosystem in Karlovy Vary — where researchers, clinicians, spa providers, and citizens co-create, test, and validate health innovations in real-world conditions.
Fields of research & innovation
Coordinated by the Institute of Spa and Balneology (ILaB) — a public research institution of the Karlovy Vary Region — the Living Lab connects research, education, knowledge transfer, and international cooperation across clinical balneology, spa medicine, and healthy aging.
It grew out of the Spa Research Centre, the first systematic research and innovation infrastructure for balneology in the region. The Living Lab turns that foundation into a permanent platform where new methods, services, and technologies are co-created and validated in real spa and clinical settings — with users, experts, and partners actively involved.
Karlovy Vary offers a setting found almost nowhere else in Europe: extraordinary natural healing springs, centuries of spa tradition, internationally renowned spa towns, and a growing scientific base — paired with a clear mandate for knowledge-driven regional transformation.
To co-create, test, and validate innovations that advance health, prevention, healthy aging, and longevity — through evidence-based spa medicine, natural healing resources, and interdisciplinary collaboration.
To become Europe's leading open-innovation ecosystem in spa medicine, clinical balneology, healthy aging, and medical wellness.
Six interconnected fields where the Living Lab turns natural healing resources and spa heritage into measurable, evidence-based practice.
Objective evaluation of spa treatments, natural healing resources, and individual therapeutic interventions — moving balneology toward measurable, evidence-based practice that holds up to clinical scrutiny.
Interventions for chronic-disease prevention, mental health, mobility, regeneration, and quality of life across every age.
Research into the mineral waters, gases, and peloids that define the region's therapeutic landscape.
New services and programmes for a growing European demand for evidence-led wellness.
Data, tools, and digital methods that make spa and preventive care measurable.
The climate, terrain, and built spa environment as part of the treatment itself.
Unlike traditional innovation models, the Living Lab actively involves citizens and end-users alongside the public sector, research, and business — so innovations match real needs and stand a higher chance of reaching practice.
Regional and local government, public institutions, and health insurers that shape strategy and policy in health, spa care, and regional development.
Research institutes, universities, and learned societies — coordinated by ILaB — that contribute expertise, capacity, and methodology.
Spa facilities, technology firms, startups, and SMEs that develop, test, and deploy innovations in real operation.
Patients, spa clients, health professionals, and residents whose experience and feedback guide how innovations are designed and judged.
Clinical and applied research that objectively measures the effects of spa treatment, natural healing resources, and individual therapeutic interventions.
Develop, test, validate, and deploy new spa procedures and therapeutic, rehabilitative, and preventive programmes.
Validate interventions for chronic-disease prevention, mental health, physical activity, regeneration, and vitality across all ages.
Transfer findings into methodologies, guidelines, training programmes, and digital tools that are genuinely usable in practice.
Grow knowledge, expert skills, research infrastructure, and international visibility for the Karlovy Vary Region.
Build partnerships with European research institutions, spa associations, and living-lab networks to share knowledge and run joint projects.
The Living Lab operates under the legal and organisational responsibility of ILaB, structured on three connected levels in line with the European Network of Living Labs.
A long-term partnership of quadruple-helix actors, with strategic direction set by ILaB and the steering committee.
Research, innovation, and education projects coordinated by the management team and thematic working groups.
Concrete methods for participation, co-creation, piloting, and gathering user insight in real conditions.
Founder, coordinator, and guarantor. Holds the legal, administrative, and financial responsibility for the Living Lab and its long-term sustainability.
The top strategic body. Meets at least twice a year, with two-year terms and quadruple-helix representation; decisions are made primarily by consensus.
Expert and project-level teams formed around current priorities and partner needs.
A decade of building, 2024–2035 — designed as a lasting constellation of partners and projects rather than a single time-limited initiative.
The first systematic research and innovation infrastructure for balneology launches in the Karlovy Vary Region.
The Living Lab's steering committee, management, and strategic framework are formally approved.
Membership and certification in the European Network of Living Labs, building international credibility.
Recognised as Europe's leading living lab for evidence-based spa medicine and healthy aging.
Collaboration across public, research, business, and civil sectors.
Solutions developed together with partners and users.
Clear roles, documented decisions, open communication.
Real needs and experiences drive every design.
Reliable data and evidence-based methods throughout.
Research ethics, data protection, and informed consent.
Long-term stability, partnership, and lasting impact.
Tangible value for patients, providers, and the public.
Whether you bring research, clinical practice, technology, or lived experience — there is a place for you in the Living Lab. Let's build evidence-based spa care together.