Brno Living Lab

At Brno Living Lab, we tackle global environmental issues affecting the health of planet Earth; by studying the factors influencing the development of chronic conditions and developing diagnostic methods, we focus on quality of life; and we develop smart technologies and innovative solutions enabling the development of a sustainable society.

The idea behind the Brno Living Lab has a history spanning more than a decade, with its official launch planned for 2020. It is an independent unit that operates under the RECETOX Centre at the Faculty of Science, Masaryk University.

What is living lab?

A living lab is not a traditional laboratory as we know it. It is a broader concept based on the interconnection of research with real life and its needs, and on collaboration with citizens, local authorities, businesses and other relevant stakeholders. That is precisely why, in our case, the living lab is the entire city of Brno and the Brno region, rather than a specific laboratory site.

Another characteristic feature of a living lab is that the research results are fed back to all participating entities; in our case, the resulting data will be brought closer to the people living in Brno, enabling it to have a practical and very specific impact on their daily lives.

prof. Jana Klánová

“We are interested in how and where people live, the composition of their families, where they work, and their economic situation. From all this, we try to track chemical exposure to toxic substances that are all around us...”

prof. Jana Klánová
RECETOX Director

Why in Brno?

What makes the Brno population unique is that it has been observed for more than 60 years through so-called population studies, which, among other things, involve the long-term monitoring and identification of factors affecting the lives and health of participating individuals as well as entire households. As part of the Brno Living Lab, we are investigating how and where people live, the composition of their families, where they work, and what their economic situation is. From all this, we are trying to track chemical exposure to toxic substances that are all around us.

The City of Brno, the South Moravian Region, Brno-based companies and other stakeholders are involved in the living lab concept and will continue to be so; they can help ensure that the research results have a real impact on the city’s residents, which is one of the defining features of a functional living lab.

Our living lab is a major commitment to local residents who actively participate in the research, and at the same time an opportunity to systematically and positively influence developments at both local and regional levels, thereby further supporting participatory and socially relevant research.

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International certification

In 2025, our Brno Living Lab obtained ENoLL (European Network of Living Labs) certification, which is an international seal of quality for living labs. It is awarded by the Brussels-based association of the same name, which brings together innovation ecosystems that develop and test innovations directly in real-world environments with the active involvement of users. Obtaining this certificate demonstrates that the laboratory in question meets strict European standards and utilises open innovation methodology (collaboration between companies, research centres, cities and the public).

CZELLAP

CZELLAP (Czech Living Lab Platform) is a strategic national platform designed to foster innovation in real-world settings and coordinate the activities of living labs in the Czech Republic. Its main objective is to connect key players in the innovation ecosystem and streamline the testing of new technologies prior to their market launch.

Brno Living Lab, together with BVV Living Lab, is one of the founders and driving forces behind this platform, which has been operating officially since June 2025 under the auspices of the CzechInvest agency.

 

Living Lab Projects

News

Contact

 

RNDr. Ondřej Mikeš, Ph.D.

Operational manager


e‑mail:

Partners

Our partners - description

The City of Brno – Brno is a key centre for science, research and innovation in Central Europe, successfully bringing together leading universities, international research institutions and technology companies. Thanks to its strong support for development and start-ups, the city is often referred to as the ‘Czech Silicon Valley’.

Life Sciences 4.0 – a major professional platform bringing together entrepreneurs, investors and academic institutions (including Masaryk University and Brno University of Technology) in the fields of pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, medical technologies and cosmetics, actively linking research with production and distribution.

FNUSA-ICRC (Mezinárodní centrum klinického výzkumu) – a joint scientific and research facility of St. Anne’s University Hospital in Brno and the Faculty of Medicine at Masaryk University. It was founded in 2011 and focuses on preclinical and clinical research, with the primary aim of linking science with medical practice to improve patient care.

MMCI – Masaryk Memorial Cancer Institute – the largest specialist oncology centre in the Czech Republic, based in Brno.

CzechGlobe – Institute of Global Change Research of the Czech Academy of Sciences – a public research institution and European centre of excellence. The Institute conducts scientific research into the manifestations of climate change in the atmosphere and their impacts on the biosphere and human society.

Společně, o.p.s. – a public benefit organisation which, since 2011, has been helping to improve our local community through projects focused on the elderly, families with children, grant schemes, etc. It supports science and research and raises awareness of Gregor Mendel.

Brno University of Technology – a leading technical university focused on the development of new technologies that shape the future, including innovative treatment methods leading to an improved quality of life for patients.

Department of Regional Economics at the Faculty of Economics and Administration, Masaryk University – provides expertise in the field of spatial economic analysis with the aim of supporting data-driven solutions for local and regional development.

Secondary Vocational School of Chemistry and Grammar School – a leading secondary school in the Czech Republic, offering specialised education in the fields of applied chemistry, food analysis, environmental protection and natural sciences.

Baghirra s.r.o – a company with many years of experience in the fields of ecology, monitoring, renewable energy sources and automation technology. It offers comprehensive, high-quality services, including turnkey solutions – from design to implementation.

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