Governing translocal experimentation in multi-sited transition programs: Dynamics and challenges

• Published in: Environmental innovation and societal transitions Vol. 43; pp. 393 - 407
• Main Authors: Kok, Kristiaan P.W., de Hoop, Evelien, Sengers, Frans, Broerse, Jacqueline E.W., Regeer, Barbara J., Loeber, Anne M.C.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01.06.2022
• Subjects: Governance; Sustainability transitions; Transformative labs; Transition experiment; Translocal; Transition experiment; Governance; Sustainability transitions; Translocal; Transformative labs
• ISSN: 2210-4224; 2210-4232
• DOI: 10.1016/j.eist.2022.05.001

•Transition experiments can be connected translocally across space and scale.•Multi-sited transition programs can support translocal experimentation.•We empirically unravel the translocal dynamics of transition experiments.•We explicate four overarching challenges in multi-sited transition programs.•This requires novel ways of designing and evaluating transition governance. Transition experiments are important instruments to foster sustainability transitions. Transition scholars increasingly suggest investigating how multiple local experiments can become connected across spatial scales, and how transformative dynamics of multiple connected experiments can be facilitated and governed. In this paper we analyze the different types of translocal dynamics involved in simultaneously governing multiple experiments in multi-sited transition programs, by empirically exploring the FIT4FOOD2030 program (2017-2020) that supported 25 transition experiments. Then, we present four overarching challenges in governing translocal experimentation: (1) finding synergies between diverging local needs and program ambitions; (2) navigating the cross-scale political dynamics in multi-sited transition programs; (3) moving beyond output-oriented evaluation frameworks in order to capture transformative efforts of short-term programs; and (4) expanding the boundaries of programs by linking to ongoing policy developments in highly complex multi-level governance settings. We hope our work can inform transition governance efforts in fostering transformative translocal dynamics toward sustainability.