Lessons from labs to a global community

Innovation has been a central theme in my career for the last 15 years, especially in public service. From my role as Deputy Director at Chile’s Laboratorio de Gobierno to my current role as Head of Capability at the Open University, I have continuously strived to foster innovative approaches to transformation. Joining Apolitical as Co-chair for the Public Sector Innovation Lab's Community of Practice is a natural extension of my long-standing passion for creating spaces where new ideas can thrive in the public domain.

Laboratorio de Gobierno: Chile’s third place for innovation

In 2015, I had the privilege of helping to establish Laboratorio de Gobierno, Chile’s first public innovation lab, as one of their Deputy Directors. This wasn’t just a project but a bold step toward redefining how governments approach problem-solving. Laboratorio de Gobierno functioned as a “third place” for public sector innovation, much like the concept popularised by sociologist Ray Oldenburg. Traditional government offices are often steeped in bureaucracy, while external advisory spaces may lack long-term accountability. Innovation labs bridge these worlds, providing a neutral yet connected environment where experimentation is encouraged, collaboration thrives, and human-centred design takes precedence.

Our lab’s mission was to transform public services by embedding citizen-focused innovation into governance structures. We built frameworks like user-centred design and human-centred policy-making to reimagine how governments could tackle challenges. One flagship initiative that was co-designed by my team and a great number of public servants was Experimenta, which offered a hands-on learning environment where public officials from 40 agencies came together to redesign processes and co-create solutions. Recognised globally by organisations like Nesta and the OECD, Experimenta became a model for how “third places” can drive systemic change in governance.

During my time there, as "labbers", we weren’t just delivering projects; we were embedding a culture of curiosity and adaptability, creating a space where bureaucratic silos could dissolve and meaningful collaboration could take place.

Scaling lessons globally with Apolitical

The success of Laboratorio de Gobierno deeply shaped my approach to innovation in the public sector and inspired me to pursue this work on an international scale. Over time, I have immersed myself in global conversations on public sector innovation, engaging with diverse actors and communities to exchange ideas and explore transformative approaches. My involvement with platforms like States of Change has been especially influential, demonstrating the immense potential of collaborative communities to drive innovation. These experiences reinforced my belief in the power of collective action and inspired me to dedicate part of my time to fostering a new community of changemakers.

Apolitical’s Public Sector Innovation Lab community embodies the ethos of third places, creating a shared space where innovators from around the world can come together to exchange insights, co-develop solutions, and support one another. This community facilitates the type of global collaboration that is crucial for addressing today’s pressing challenges—climate change, healthcare crises, and economic inequality—issues that demand solutions transcending national borders.

What excites me most about this community is its collaborative spirit. Apolitical mirrors the role of third places by fostering informal yet impactful interactions. These interactions spark new ideas, strengthen relationships, and ultimately lead to transformative outcomes. When public servants innovate collectively, they not only accelerate the development of solutions but also ensure those solutions are adaptable, scalable, and sustainable.

The critical role of labs as third places

Public sector innovation labs, whether in Chile or globally, play a critical role as third places within governance systems. They are neutral grounds where ideas can be tested without the constraints of traditional hierarchies. Much like the third places in Oldenburg’s theory—coffeehouses, public parks, or libraries—labs provide a sense of freedom and possibility that encourages collaboration and creativity.

By creating an environment where diverse stakeholders can come together, innovation labs make it possible to address governance challenges in more holistic ways. They don’t just develop policies or tools; they reimagine how governments interact with their citizens, making these interactions more inclusive, adaptive, and impactful.

An invitation to collaborate

The journey of public sector innovation is one of collective effort. Whether you’re a seasoned labber exploring advanced approaches or just beginning to experiment with innovation in governance, there is a place for you in this work. Apolitical is committed to fostering a global community where public servants can come together to learn, experiment, and develop solutions that drive meaningful change.

Join us in building and nurturing labs—spaces that empower collaboration, creativity, and co-creation. Together, we can transform public services into systems that not only address citizens’ needs but also inspire and empower them for the future.

See you around!