Building the Future of Collaboration: Coworking Space 2.0

The challenge that prompted the engagement of digihub.li was rooted in the need to define the ideal characteristics of a physical space for an EDIH to effectively achieve its objectives and to allow it to ultimately evolve into a thriving digital ecosystem. Guided by the philosophy of a bottom-up, community-led approach, digihub.li therefore needed to answer the following question: What does the ideal space for innovation, digital transformation and - ultimately - a digital ecosystem look like?

At the moment, Liechtenstein lacks a dedicated coworking space where diverse stakeholders from art, culture, business, society, and politics can converge. There is no physical space equipped with modern, solution-oriented infrastructure to address co-creative challenges between different stakeholders (including PSOs and SMEs alike). This absence highlights a critical gap in the ecosystem envisioned by digihub.li: the need for a physical environment that could serve as a catalyst for cross-disciplinary exchange and problem-solving.

Therefore, the goal of this initiative is to create a concept for a coworking space that connects regional and interregional stakeholders and unlocks new possibilities for collaboration. This networked approach allows for the development of innovative solutions that integrate diverse perspectives, maximising the synergy of contributions from all sectors of society.

The envisioned coworking space 2.0 should not only meet functional needs but also act as a lighthouse project, inspiring green digitalisation initiatives and showcasing how sustainable innovation can thrive in a well-designed, inclusive environment (in other words, a digital ecosystem).

Hence, the challenge was to design a flexible and scalable digital transformation solution that could address the diverse needs of the population, SMEs, and PSOs while fostering collaboration and innovation within a digital ecosystem. Digihub.li tackled this challenge with a structured, multi-step approach:

Step 1 (Needs Assessment): In collaboration with its beneficiary SGM, Digihub.li conducted a comprehensive analysis to understand the specific needs and challenges of the population, SMEs, and PSOs. This involved identifying opportunities, uncovering synergies, and mapping demand to create a foundation for further action.

Step 2 (Stakeholder Mapping): Insights from the needs assessment were used to map stakeholders, ensuring that interests and roles were clearly identified and aligned with overarching goals.

Step 3 (Operational Design): Based on the analysis, operational units were developed, and specific requirements for locations, facilities, and structures were designed, laying the groundwork for a versatile implementation strategy.

The outcome was a modular spatial concept, adaptable to various physical environments. It allowed for customized implementations with thematic focuses such as social innovation, cultural hubs, or business centers. The system emphasized a strong value framework and demonstrated how synergies could be created within this small-scale ecosystem.

Rationale behind investment

The investment aims to strengthen the region as an innovation hub by fostering a dynamic environment for startups and forward-thinking projects. Modern infrastructure positioned the area as an attractive employer, promoting flexible work arrangements and reducing commuter traffic. The initiative creates investment opportunities for businesses by developing an innovation-driven community. The coworking space model, both a profitable business venture and a strategic asset for property owners, reinforces the concept’s financial viability.

The project successfully developed a spatial, value-based operational concept for an innovation hub involving all societal stakeholders. This approach ensured that the hub would align with the diverse needs and values of its community, fostering inclusivity and collaboration.

The concept underwent a thorough review by experts, including architects, various societal interest groups, and government authorities, ensuring its feasibility and alignment with professional standards. It was then refined and applied concretely to an existing coworking space, demonstrating its practical viability. Additionally, the concept highlighted the potential for repurposing public sector spaces, such as the vacant Post Vaduz building, for innovative uses.

A significant outcome of the project was the planning for the concept's application to a large industrial area, contributing to the spatial development strategy of the local municipality. This demonstrated its adaptability and scalability for broader urban planning efforts.

As a direct result of the project, numerous valuable connections were established with diverse societal stakeholders. These connections have proven instrumental in advancing the development of a digital ecosystem in Liechtenstein, fostering cross-sector collaboration and innovation.

The project’s results were formally presented to the Liechtenstein government, including the Minister of Infrastructure and Justice, underlining its importance and potential impact. These outcomes indicates a strong return on investment, with benefits in terms of enhanced collaboration, strategic urban planning, and contributions to the digital and societal development of Liechtenstein.

What Worked Well

Investing sufficient time in planning proved to be highly effective. The structured approach - starting with an idea workshop, followed by concept development, and incorporating feedback from subject-matter experts - enabled digihub.li and its partners to create a well-rounded and actionable strategy.

Another key success factor was the dissemination of results and engaging multipliers. For instance, the presentation of the coworking space concept was well-received by the government of Liechtenstein, creating opportunities for broader collaboration and recognition. Leveraging networking possibilities further amplified the impact.

A significant highlight was combining digital networking with physical hubs where diverse stakeholders and societal actors actively collaborated. By blending the advantages of both digital and physical spaces, digihub.li created a concept that makes digital transformation tangible and relatable at a specific location. This dual-space approach offers stakeholders a unique opportunity to experience the benefits of digitalisation firsthand.

What Didn’t Work

Clinging rigidly to non-viable ideas hindered progress in certain areas. For example, networking with stakeholders from the same business sector - essentially direct competitors - proved to be challenging. To address this in future efforts, we recommend proposing a digital network model that fosters co-creative collaboration and capitalises on synergy effects, offering a more flexible and inclusive framework.

By sharing these insights, digihub.li aims to provide practical advice for other EDIHs, SMEs, and PSOs embarking on similar initiatives, ensuring their methods can evolve and improve over time.