GrInn Lab by LabGov.City - Innovating and experimenting in smart, sustainable, and inclusive cities and regions

The GrInn Lab is a university workshop scheduled for the 2026/2027 academic year, aimed at students enrolled in the second year of the Bachelor’s Degree courses in Economics and Management or Political Science, and in the third year of the Single-Cycle Master’s Degree in Law. The workshop is conducted in Italian and awards 4 credits to students who have included it in their study plan.

GrInn Lab: a pre-incubation laboratory for innovation aimed at the sustainable development of vulnerable areas and neighbourhoods

The GrInn Lab is a workshop dedicated to innovation for sustainable development through experiments at the urban, local, and regional levels, combining theoretical research, applied research, innovation (including social innovation), and technology transfer. Addressing the challenges and divides that the ecological and technological transition is creating, the workshop takes a systemic approach to innovation. It aims not only to generate complex ecological, cultural, and social impacts, but also to monitor and measure them accurately. Measuring impact is essential to ensure that the solutions developed are truly effective and sustainable over time, enabling the assessment of the tangible results of initiatives and the timely implementation of changes when necessary. Furthermore, the workshop aims to actively engage five key urban stakeholders: the public sector, the private sector, the social sector, the educational, cultural, and scientific sector, local communities, as well as startuppers, social innovators, and residents of vulnerable communities. Indeed, rigorous impact measurement allows us to guide and optimise the involvement of all stakeholders, ensuring that solutions are genuinely targeted to meet the specific needs of communities and foster lasting positive change in the most vulnerable areas.

The laboratory draws on the field experience of LabGov ETS, an NGO made up of former students of the laboratory and researchers affiliated with LabGov.City. It was established as part of the Luiss Research Centre Law and Investment on Future and Earth. This scientific partnership between Luiss Guido Carli, Columbia Climate School, and Hong Kong University is dedicated to developing studies, projects, and policies for the co-management of essential urban infrastructure, services, and resources. The aim is to make regions and cities more just, inclusive, sustainable, equitable, and democratic.

The GrInn Lab, which will see active participation from the Lab's students, PhD researchers, researchers, entrepreneurs, managers, public administrators, and professionals from the third sector and emerging technologies, is structured around five modules:

1. Tech - Emerging technologies and innovation for sustainable development; 
2. Finance/Economics - Investments and Infrastructure for Climate and Technological Justice; 
3. Policy – Policies for Social and Territorial Cohesion and investment in the real economy; 
4. Law & Governance - Governance of the Commons, Collaboration, and Civic Innovation; 
5. Planning - Sustainable, Circular, Self-Sufficient Territories, Neighbourhoods, and Communities. 

The theme of the circular economy will also be addressed in a cross-cutting manner, as it serves as the common thread linking the collaborative projects and platforms. This circular economy is a crucial model, as it promotes holistic and virtuous resource management, reducing waste and optimising the use of materials to create a positive impact on the environment. In a global context increasingly focused on sustainability, the circular economy is not just a method, but a fundamental framework for any type of innovation that aims to be resilient and sustainable in the long term.

A central aspect of this approach is impact assessment, which becomes essential to ensure that initiatives are not only environmentally friendly, but also deliver a measurable positive impact on the environment. The ability to monitor and measure the ecological effects of our actions allows us to optimise processes, identify areas for improvement, and ensure that every intervention genuinely contributes to reducing our ecological footprint and improving natural resources.

With this in mind, impact assessment not only helps track progress towards sustainability goals, but also serves as a tool to promote timely corrective action and reinforce long-term positive effects. Therefore, the circular economy, supported by a robust impact assessment, is a strategic key to transforming production and consumption systems, creating solutions that are not only environmentally responsible but also generate lasting value for the environment and communities.

The GrInn Lab also collaborates with the Luiss Master's degree programme in Strategic Management and its bootcamp, the XYZ Camp. The course lectures will combine theory with interactive activities, enriched by expert insights from various disciplines and sectors related to the topics covered. These include urban planning, community organisation, civic inno-preneurship, economic sustainability, European planning, policy and legal design thinking, and digital transformation.

Students will have the opportunity to develop key skills for the world of work, including teamwork, public speaking, and advanced digital capabilities. As well as developing a solid understanding of sustainable innovation in urban areas, the GrInn Lab aims to foster students' personal and professional growth.

By taking part in the GrInn Lab, students will be able to explore sustainable urban models that deliver innovative services to urban communities, as well as discover practical solutions to tackle climate change and promote economic, environmental, and social sustainability.

The GrInn Lab therefore represents an innovative opportunity in the educational landscape, aimed at supporting and encouraging students to develop the skills needed to tackle the urban challenges of today and tomorrow, and to make a significant contribution to the co-creation of more resilient and sustainable communities.  

General rules and recognition of course credits

The GrInn Lab is an in-person initiative comprising workshops, co-working sessions, and fieldwork, enabling students to earn 4 academic credits. To earn the credits, you must complete at least 70% of the total course hours. Of these, at least 21 of the 30 hours of classroom work must be completed during the Friday afternoon workshops and Saturday morning co-working sessions. Meanwhile, at least 14 of the 20 hours of fieldwork must involve teamwork activities or cultivation/self-construction in the Luiss community garden in Viale Romania, which are accounted for through time bank mechanisms.

Once a student has chosen a workshop, they cannot earn University Credits through any other means. Students who have already earned the University Credits required by their study plan for Other Activities, or who have started attending optional language courses or other activities that award credits, are not eligible to participate in the course.

Registration

Students enrolled in the second year of the Bachelor’s Degree courses in Economics and Management and Political Science for the 2026/2027 academic year, as well as those in the third year of the Single-Cycle Master’s Degree course in Law for the 2026/2027 academic year, can select the Soft Skills GrInn Lab course directly via Web Self Service while completing their Study Plan to earn credits.

More information

The GrInn Lab is coordinated scientifically and educationally by Prof. Christian Iaione, Co-Director of the Master's Degree Course in Strategic Management and coordinator of LabGov.City. For more information about the workshop, students can send an email to softskills@luiss.it and to the LabGov ETS Edu team: edu@labgov.it.