IN SITU Toolkit for Lab-Based Research and Activities is a resource that supports researchers, cultural practitioners, and policymakers engaged in non-urban development through Lab-based approaches, created by the University of Galway with contributions from all IN SITU Lab partners.The toolkit draws from a collaborative process including individual interviews and discussions with IN SITU Labs in April and May 2025, and an in-person workshop in Borgarnes, Iceland, on June 2, 2025.

The Toolkit is structured around three main stages:

• Understanding: Introduces foundational concepts, including "What is a Lab?" and definitions of creative and cultural ecosystems, non-urban, and place-based development.
• Insight: Highlights the Cultural Mapping programme conducted by IN SITU Labs and demonstrates a variety of research methods grounded in place.
• Actions: Focuses on three core areas essential to Lab-based development: Participation, Networking, and Methods, each illustrated with examples from the Labs.

Following these stages, the Toolkit outlines four Guiding Principles to support Lab-based development:

• Meaning: Creating value for participants
• Collaboration: Engaging diverse stakeholders in shared regional visions
• Presence: Being embedded in the local context and creative ecosystem
• Experimentation: Using inventive methods to both explore and shape local cultural dynamics

To support practical application, the Toolkit also includes preparation worksheets covering stakeholder mapping, planning activities, choosing venues and methods, and designing communication strategies.

As non-urban regions across Europe seek new ways to harness creativity and culture for sustainable development, this Toolkit offers a grounded, adaptable framework for doing so. By drawing directly on the experiences and practices of the IN SITU Labs, it provides not only theoretical foundations but also real-world insights and tools that can be tailored to local contexts. All in all, it is a valuable step toward building more inclusive, resilient, and connected cultural ecosystems outside major urban centres.

Explore the Toolkit.