This paper provides novel additional evidence on the characteristics of Collective Action Initiatives (CAIs), investigating their role within the European energy sector. It analyses and presents results of a survey administered in six European countries: the Netherlands, Belgium, Italy, Poland, Estonia, and Spain. CAIs are studied in light of four key dimensions, those being their creation dynamics, the way they are organized, financed, and the activities they undertake. The results presented are also interpreted to reflect on their role as drivers of social innovation (SI) within energy transition in Europe. The analysis shows that the contribution of CAIs to the energy transition has a much wider scope than the development of energy projects and provision of energy services. CAIs are intrinsically socially innovative models of implementation as characterised by a strong level of citizen involvement and participation. Moreover, they have a potential multi-level role in the energy transition, from the technological and social perspectives. Indeed, alongside traditional energy activities, our results show that CAIs are evolving and expanding towards socially innovative activities, raising awareness on environmental issues, promoting citizens’ mobilization, and fostering social inclusion.

Μετανάπτυξη, πόλη και ο ρόλος των μικροεπιχειρήσεων:Μια έρευνα στην Αθήνα και τη ΒαρκελώνηΤο παρόν άρθρο αποτελεί μια εμπειρική έρευνα που αξιολογεί τον ρόλο και την πιθανή επίδραση των μικροεπιχειρήσεων ως προς τον μετασχηματισμό των αστικών κοινωνικοοικονομικών συστημάτων στην κατεύθυνση της μετανάπτυξης. Η έρευνα πεδίου απευθύνθηκε σε «συμβατικές» πολύ μικρές επιχειρήσεις, οι οποίες λειτουργούν σε παραδοσιακούς τομείς της αγοράς και σε επιχειρήσεις που δραστηριοποιούνται στην κοινωνική και αλληλέγγυα οικονομία. Η Αθήνα και η Βαρκελώνη χρησιμοποιήθηκαν ως πόλεις-εργαστήρια για να τεκμηριώσουν τους παράγοντες που επηρέασαν τις στρατηγικές μικρο-επιχειρηματικής προσαρμογής στην οικονομική κρίση μετά το 2008, ώστε να ερευνηθεί σε ποιο βαθμό οι αφηγήσεις και οι πρακτικές αυτών μπορούν να αποτελέσουν ένδειξη ροπής προς έναν ευρύτερο κοινωνικοοικονομικό μετασχηματισμό. Τα αποτελέσματα δείχνουν ότι η κρίση και το αστικό περιβάλλον παρείχε ένα πλαίσιο για διαδικασίες διαμόρφωσης εναλλακτικών οικονομικών πρακτικών, στις οποίες οι μικροεπιχειρήσεις διαδραματίζουν σημαντικό ρόλο. Ωστόσο, για την κεφαλαιοποίηση και ενίσχυση της...

Purpose: The paper aims to explore cultural events in a post-disaster town cultural events in a post-disaster town, L’Aquila, Italy, facing a long-term process of adaptation and recovery after the 2009 earthquake.Design/methodology/approach: A time-based conceptual framework is applied in a case analysis relying on primary and secondary data. In-depth semi-structured interviews with local actors, direct observations and participation in local events and public debates enriched the analysis.Findings: In the absence of a clear-cut urban policy framework, an urban heritage of cultural events emerged from local actors’ initiatives, with some evidence of local capacity building. Elements of events’ institutionalisation and signals of a serious risk of vanishing in the post-disaster transitioning context are discussed.Originality/value: The study involves development of a theoretical framework for analysing the temporal process of evolution of a local system of cultural events as instruments for place-making and capacity building in a post-disaster town. New light is cast on the meaning of “eventification.”

Renewable energy cooperatives (RECs) play a pivotal role in advancing a new energy paradigm that prioritizes equity and inclusivity. However, there is often ambiguity regarding their potential since their core principle of functioning revolves around serving the mutual interests of their members by providing energy services rather than addressing general- interest missions. Moreover, RECs still operate as businesses that are economically viable and appealing, thereby attracting the influence of financial interests. In this context, balancing the tripartite spectrum of interests, namely capital, mutual, and general, can be complex. To gain a deeper understanding, we conducted a survey among 5402 members of two RECs, namely Ecopower in Belgium and ènostra in Italy, complemented by 20 semi-structured interviews. Our findings indicate that members have mixed feelings about assuming general- interest missions, such as fighting against energy poverty, which do not always align with those of their boards. We also note significant differences between the two RECs, which can be attributed to the distinct contexts in which they operate and their varying stages of maturity. We conclude by discussing the importance of scaling up and the need to adopt a more collaborative approach between the public and third sector to address the complexities of social issues.

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to critically examine the “knowledge city” spatial socio-economic imaginary used in the post-earthquake city of L’Aquila, Italy, to promote its socio-economic redevelopment. Design/methodology/approach: The paper counters primary and secondary data with the expected qualities of a knowledge city. The analysis is supported by the literature review on knowledge-cities and post-disaster redevelopment, local and national documentation review, on-site observations and an inquiry of the case of the Gran Sasso Science Institute, the leading project towards the implementation of the knowledge-city agenda through interviews with key actors and a survey among its researchers. Findings: Post-disaster realities and path-dependency leave little room for a positive path-shaping redevelopment trajectory related to a knowledge-city urban archetype. This vision promotes materialism and intellectualism from local, national and international stakeholders; however, the city lacks specific urban qualities to attract and maintain highly skilled labour and investments, while negative socio-economic trends still continue a decade after the earthquake. Research limitations/implications: The city’s post-disaster recovery and redevelopment contain certain degrees of inertia. The early stage of it, the lack of certain secondary data, and the focus of the paper on specific indicators limit the opportunity for stronger reasoning. Originality/value: The analysis reveals that the redevelopment vision of the knowledge city was hastily adopted. The mismatch between reality and expectations highlights the need for post-disaster territories to avoid overestimation of their capabilities and adjusts their redevelopment strategies to local characteristics adopting modest future projections.