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Annex 13 — Innovation Lab Archetype Library

13.1 Purpose​

This annex provides a non-exhaustive library of Innovation Lab Archetypes, enabling institutions to classify, compare, and strategically design lab models based on mandates, capabilities, and sectoral needs.

Archetypes help ensure that VILF deployments maintain structural clarity and interoperability across diverse institutional contexts.

13.2 Archetype Categories​

Category A — Policy Labs​

Purpose:
Support policy development through evidence generation, prototyping, and stakeholder engagement.

Typical Functions:

  • Policy experimentation
  • Scenario analysis
  • Regulatory impact testing
  • Foresight-informed policy design

Common Host Institutions:
Government ministries, regulatory agencies.

Category B — Service Labs​

Purpose:
Improve public or private service delivery through design, testing, and iteration.

Typical Functions:

  • Service journey mapping
  • User research
  • Service prototyping
  • Process innovation

Common Host Institutions:
Public service agencies, municipalities, corporations.

Category C — AI Labs​

Purpose:
Experiment with AI systems for public or institutional use, ensuring governance, ethics, and risk management.

Typical Functions:

  • AI model experimentation
  • Algorithmic impact assessment
  • Data governance testing
  • Ethical evaluations

Common Host Institutions:
Digital government units, universities, research centers.

Category D — Academic Labs​

Purpose:
Serve as research-based innovation centers that support applied experimentation and interdisciplinary collaboration.

Typical Functions:

  • Applied research
  • Interdisciplinary experimentation
  • User-based studies
  • Evidence synthesis

Common Host Institutions:
Universities, research institutes.

13.3 Cross-Archetype Governance Requirements​

Regardless of archetype, all labs must adhere to:

  • IMM-P® execution standards
  • IGF governance rules
  • MEL & scorecard cycles
  • Documentation and evidence requirements
  • Repository integrity principles

13.4 Licensing​

Released under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0.