From Research to Standardisation: How PROBONO Helps Shape Sustainable Communities through Liaison Activities

Standardisation is often perceived as the final step after innovation. In reality, it is a powerful mechanism for ensuring that research results can be adopted, replicated and scaled beyond the lifetime of individual projects. For PROBONO, standardisation is therefore not an end point, but an integral part of creating lasting impact for sustainable and climate-neutral communities. 

Connecting Research and Standardisation 

One of the most effective ways for research projects to contribute to future standards is through cooperation with the technical committees responsible for their development. Liaison activities create opportunities to exchange knowledge, share evidence from real-world implementations and ensure that research outcomes can inform ongoing standardisation work. Through these interactions, projects gain access to relevant discussions while experts benefit from practical insights generated by innovation projects. 

A recent example of this approach was PROBONO's presentation to CEN/TC 465 “Sustainable Cities and Communities” in April 2026. CEN/TC 465 is the European standardisation technical committee responsible for developing standards related to sustainable cities and communities, bringing together experts from across Europe to address topics such as urban sustainability, resilience and smart community development. During the session, representatives of the project presented PROBONO's vision, its six Living Labs and its work on Green Building Neighbourhoods (GBNs), demonstrating how research, innovation and standardisation can reinforce each other. 

The presentation also highlighted the use of ISO 37101 principles and project tools supporting the assessment and management of sustainability-related activities in neighbourhoods and communities. 

Positive Feedback and New Opportunities 

The presentation received very positive feedback from committee members. Following the discussion, experts expressed strong interest in PROBONO's expertise and identified opportunities for further exchange on future standardisation activities. The response demonstrated the relevance of the project's work beyond the research community and confirmed the value of engaging directly with experts responsible for shaping future standards. 

The impact of the presentation became visible immediately. On the same day, PROBONO was invited to contribute to a dedicated Task Force discussion on Local Digital Twins. 

As PROBONO enters its final phase, these interactions demonstrate how research projects can actively contribute to the future of standardisation. By sharing lessons learned from real-world implementations and maintaining dialogue with European and international standardisation communities, PROBONO helps bridge the gap between innovation and standards, ensuring that project results can continue creating value long after the project itself has ended. 

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