Beers, P., B. van Mierlo, and A.-C. Hoes. 2016. Toward an Integrative Perspective on Social Learning in System Innovation Initiatives. Ecology and Society 21(1):33.http://dx.doi.org/10.5751/ES-08148-210133

This article reflects on the contribution that stakeholder involvement could give to circular bioeconomy transformation (CBE). By comparing argument for stakeholder involvement in literature as well as on our own experiences in six stakeholder involvement workshops, we argue that it is probably unrealistic to fully achieve both normative and co-design goals in a single workshop. Furthermore, stakeholder involvement can help to acquire insight into dependencies in the market and offer an opportunity to connect people to deal with them. Therefore we propose for future stakeholder involvement initiatives for CBE to focus on (1) identify relationships of dependency which make it hard for players in the market to change, (2) develop strategies to change while mitigating the detrimental effects on already existing relationships and (3) gradually breaking down relationships and building new ones that support CBE.

This study explores the questions of how to govern the transition towards sustainable farming in a responsible and inclusive manner by exploring the Dutch dairy case. Sustainability transition is about fundamental social–technical changes to address the grand challenges that society faces today. It includes breaking down and phasing out unsustainable practice as well as scaling up sustainable alternatives. Transition literature argues that governments should implement a mix of transition tasks to give direction, support the new and destabilase the unsustainable. In addition, market-based instruments (MBIs) and policy interventions rewarding sustainable farming stimulate transition. This study illustrates that strong and prolonged pressure of not meeting international environmental agreements triggered the implementation of stronger policy interventions that destabilize the unsustainable. However, less policy attention seems to be given to supporting the “new”, such as pioneering alternative farmers who develop sustainable alternatives to mainstream farming. To achieve more responsible and inclusive sustainability transitions, it is important to implement tailor-made policies that support pioneering alternative farmers who are already taking steps in developing sustainable farms which, in addition to food, provide ecological and other benefits to community.

Implementation efforts of novelties such as new land use facilities frequently involve controversy; even when adoption is expected to result in a more sustainable practice. This article analyses the overlaps of the discursive spheres of the project participants and the stakeholder groups of a proposed novel farm. This will shed light on the work involved when governing for the adoption of novelties. The analysis reveals that reframing and redesigning of the novelty are needed for social embedding. Through functional and conceptual alignment activities, the proposed novelty is aligned more to the perceptions and needs of diverse stakeholder groups.