On 14 August, OneSTOP officially launched its Finnish Living Lab with a half-day workshop hosted by the Natural Resources Institute Finland (LUKE). The event brought together researchers, public authorities, municipalities, NGOs, and private sector representatives to explore innovative solutions for detecting and monitoring invasive alien species (IAS).

During the meeting, participants were introduced to the project’s objectives with a special focus on the role of Living Labs in testing and co-developing new technologies. One of the showcased tools was the insect detection system based on an automated camera and AI recognition, which participants had the opportunity to see firsthand.

The latter part of the workshop featured lively discussions among stakeholders about IAS detection methods, including their potential for monitoring different species, and the future activities of the Finnish Living Lab. These exchanges highlighted the importance of cross-sector collaboration as well as the shared interest in strengthening Finland’s capacity to respond effectively to IAS challenges.

The Finnish Living Lab is one of five pilot sites across Europe where IAS technologies will be tested in cooperation with local stakeholders. The insights gained will contribute to the refinement and optimisation of new IAS detection systems, supporting more rapid and efficient responses to biological invasions across Europe.