Investments and policy decisions can be made more effective by connecting to the transition dynamics of a particular place.
From skills to infrastructures, identities to aspirations and culture – the characteristics and conditions of an organisational or geographical context may help or hinder progress towards systems transformation. At the same time, scaling requires that we transfer learnings about transitions across diverse places. So how do we combine efforts and share learning, while recognising the distinctiveness of each context?
In this tool – developed in collaboration with Cristian Matti at the Joint Research Centre, European Commission – we use Transformative Outcomes as ‘boundary objects’ to bring a transition lens to place-based interventions addressing local challenges. The aim is to unlock learning about the dynamics of systemic change across diverse contexts, and to identify new opportunities to collaborate or take action.
Visit Tool: Transformative Outcomes worksheet to download the accompanying handout.
Acknowledgements
Our thanks to Louise Harvey at Chimney for graphic design.
Citation
Shaw, V. and Matti, C. (2024) Opportunity spaces: Unlocking learning from place-based challenges through Transformative Outcomes. TIP Resource Lab. Available at: https://www.tipresourcelab.net/resource/tool-opportunity-spaces-unlocking-learning-from-place-based-challenges-through-transformative-outcomes
Reflections on use
This tool was used at the TIPC and Deep Transitions Lab Engagement Week in Sept 2024 to help policy makers and investors reflect on place-based interventions, and identify ‘opportunity spaces’ where collective action is possible.
Our thanks to Cristian Matti at the JRC, European Commission, for collaboration on this session to explore how Transformative Outcomes can be used to transfer actionable learning across contexts.
Reflections from student and post-doctoral rapporteurs at the event included:
- Effective scaling requires an understanding of the specific features and challenges of places. Investments and policies are more impactful when tailored to local contexts.
- ‘Fluid spaces’ are needed to facilitate learning and adaptation across diverse contexts.
- In the Latin American region, local communities are responding to social inequalities, dependence on extractive industries and climate change with collective action, forming coalitions to advance just transitions and address environmental and social challenges. These efforts highlight the potential of place-based initiatives to drive transformative change.
- Community action can reshape narratives and drive systemic change. For example, efforts to protect natural resources can foster new values around sustainability; new knowledge, cognitive frameworks, and community-driven initiatives can
lead to new regulations, alternative development sources, and innovative policy instruments. - For policymakers and investors, identifying and systematically supporting place-based initiatives is key to driving broader impact. Circulating knowledge and learnings from localised experimentation is essential for capitalising on their potential.
- In Europe, case studies demonstrating collaborative approaches to place-based innovation (including projects such as MarPAMM and NEVERMORE) emphasise the importance of new governance models and portfolio approaches.
- Transformative Outcomes can help us to analyse and guide systemic change across places, identifying opportunities for action and learning across different contexts.
