Guide for the design and implementation of the Innovative Sustainable Economy (ISE) Mission Transformative Innovation Policy Labs (TIPLabs)

This valuable policy and implementation guide was published in June 2025 by the Government of Catalunya as part of the Interreg Euro‑MED Innovative Sustainable Economy (ISE) Mission initiative.

It provides a shared conceptual framework and practical recommendations for designing and running Transformative Innovation Policy Labs (TIPLabs) — collaborative, place‑based spaces where regional and local stakeholders jointly address complex sustainability challenges using systemic and transformative innovation approaches. These labs are intended to help align regional strategies (such as Smart Specialisation Strategies) with the broader goals of the ISE Mission and to foster systemic change in Mediterranean regions.

The handbook defines the nature of sustainability challenges and why they require systemic approaches; explains why Transformative Innovation Policy is relevant to addressing these challenges; outlines the concept and key elements of ISE Mission TIPLabs; and provides step‑by‑step guidelines for designing and implementing TIPLabs, including structuring innovation camp sessions, forming action plans, and integrating monitoring, evaluation, and learning frameworks.