The TRANSFORMER project has provided a significant range of insights from its Transition Super Labs (TSLs) across various European regions. These findings underscore the critical importance of strategic planning, stakeholder engagement, and continuous refinement in facilitating successful regional transitions toward sustainability.
1. Determining a Transition Framework
During the initial phase, regions such as Emilia-Romagna (Italy), Western Macedonia (Greece), and Lower Silesia (Poland) focused on establishing a clear and cohesive vision, alongside aligning stakeholder interests. In Emilia-Romagna, the creation of a unified, top-down vision coupled with comprehensive stakeholder input was instrumental in aligning regional needs. Western Macedonia placed significant emphasis on reviewing existing policies and fostering collaborative solutions, while Lower Silesia underscored the importance of early planning and consistent stakeholder engagement. The critical takeaway from this phase is that a well-defined vision and robust communication channels are essential to successfully initiate regional transitions.
2. Building a Stakeholder Coalition
The effectiveness of the transition process is largely dependent on the strength of the stakeholder coalition. Emilia-Romagna achieved this by focusing on sector-specific and geographically diverse representation, ensuring that all pertinent issues were addressed comprehensively. The Ruhr Area (Germany) broadened its scope of stakeholder engagement, recognizing the early identification of power dynamics as crucial. Western Macedonia emphasised inclusivity by developing a comprehensive stakeholder list, which included marginalised groups, while Lower Silesia concentrated on engaging key stakeholders critical to the vision's implementation. These approaches illustrate that comprehensive stakeholder mapping and inclusivity are vital to enhancing collaboration and ensuring project success.
3. Co-Defining a Common Vision
The process of co-defining a unified vision involved collaborative efforts across all regions. Emilia-Romagna employed expert interviews and interactive workshops, while the Ruhr Area successfully balanced top-down and bottom-up involvement to mitigate biases. Western Macedonia focused on developing thematic sub-visions in collaboration with specific stakeholder groups, and Lower Silesia facilitated constructive discussions to ensure alignment with existing strategic goals. These efforts demonstrate that collaborative vision-building fosters alignment and shared commitment among diverse stakeholders.
4. Gearing the Transition Capacity
In the second phase, emphasis was placed on defining and assessing pilot use-cases. Emilia-Romagna's iterative, stakeholder-driven approach and long-term engagement strategies, combined with the Ruhr Area's broad inclusion and interactive communication, proved highly effective. Western Macedonia prioritised active participation and feasibility, while Lower Silesia ensured that the use-cases remained realistic and efforts were focused. This phase highlights the importance of practical considerations and sustained stakeholder engagement in the development of pilot projects.
5. Accelerating and Scaling-Up Transition
In the final phases of the project, effective coordination, strategic planning, and the establishment of clear timelines were crucial. Emilia-Romagna focused on optimising planning processes and fostering continuous stakeholder collaboration, while Western Macedonia and Lower Silesia emphasised the creation of comprehensive timelines and the alignment of activities with long-term strategic goals. Continuous monitoring, strategic planning, and coordinated efforts among stakeholders are critical factors in successfully accelerating and scaling up transition initiatives.