Trans4Demo
is an evidence-based initiative addressing the contentious politics of climate change and sustainability transitions, which pose growing challenges for democratic systems. By examining the interplay between sustainability, populism, and democracy, the project aims to develop a temporality-sensitive framework, practical insights, and policy recommendationsto support democratic renewal.
Through participatory and interdisciplinary methodologies, Trans4Demo investigates the causes and consequencesof opposition, explores innovative engagement practices, and fosters trust in democratic processes.The project delivers actionable strategies to balance grassroots mobilisations with institutional governance, empowering societies to address the dual crises of climate and democracy effectively.
Key Objectives
Develop Analytical Frameworks
Create a novel, temporality-sensitive framework to analyse the intersections of democratic crises, sustainability transitions, and contentious politics, emphasising the role of urgency in shaping political narratives.
Empower Civic Engagement
Identify and foster innovative formsof civic and grassroots engagement to amplify bottom-up mobilisations and integrate their perspectives into institutional decision-making processes.
Enhance Democratic Practices
Complement existing democratic systems with participatory formats, such as citizens' assembliesand dialogue-based interventions, to improve inclusivity and responsivenes to societal concerns.
Provide Actionable Insights
Deliver accessible data, tools, and policy recommendations to enable policymakers and stakeholders to navigate the tensions between sustainability and democracy effectively.
Promote Just Transitions
Develop strategies to ensure that sustainability transitions are equitable and inclusive, leaving no one behind and addressing issues of recognitional, distributional, procedural,and intergenerational justice.
Key Results
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Integrated Frameworks and Insights
A comprehensive conceptual toolkit for understanding the intersection of democratic challenges and sustainability transitions, with practical applications for policymaking
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Innovative Engagement Practices
New formats for civic participation, such as future-oriented methods and art-based research, tested and validated through pilot studies to enhance public involvement in decision-making.
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Policy Recommendations for Sustainability and Democracy
Evidence-based guidelines and tools to support the design of just sustainability transitions and the reinvigoration of democratic systems across Europe.
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Empirical Knowledge on Mobilisations
Analysis of grassroots and populist movements, highlighting barriers and driversfor their impact on democratic governance and sustainability policies.
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Capacity Building for Stakeholders
Co-created and accessible knowledge resources to empower civil society, grassroots actors, and policymakersto collaborate effectively on addressing shared challenges.
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Pilot Studies Across Europe
Real-world testing of project outcomes in three distinct country settingsto ensure practical applicability and scalability of solutions
Project Aims
The goal of Trans4Demo is to reinvigorate democratic governance by enhancing the accountability, transparency, effectiveness, and trustworthiness of rule-of-law-based institutions and policies, while fostering active and inclusive citizenship underpinned by the protection of fundamental rights. By generating new insights into the dynamics of contestation around sustainability transitions, the project will develop innovative policy and political strategies, alongside new engagement practices, to promote democratic renewal.
The uptake and use of Trans4Demo's results by target groups will enable a more reflexive approach to addressing the interplay between the climate and environmental crises and the rise of populist and illiberal political movements. The project will contribute to the development of strategies, tools, and frameworks that support new repertoires of engagement, ensuring democratic renewal in the governance of sustainability transitions. All proposed outcomes and impacts are closely aligned with the project’s objectives, work plan, and its dissemination, exploitation, and communication strategy, ensuring meaningful and sustained impact.
Project Numbers
13
Partners
9
Countries
2.99M €
EC Funding
8
Country Case Studies
