TRUST - Social innovation sTRategies for sUSTainability transitions

To achieve intended objectives, research strategy follows a participatory research and multi-actor approach with inductive reasoning to make broad generalizations based on the specific observation of existing ST initiatives. The conditions that enabled success, in urban and rural social-ecological contexts, will be studied and explored in case studies to learn institutional, political and social patterns in governance systems that enabled transitions. A conceptual model and an analytical framework will apply in experiential pilot cases-social innovation labs, with local actors, exploring role of actors' networks and agents of change in enhancing SI. Three universities in Aveiro, Évora and Lisbon are partners with complementary skills on community development knowledge-brokerage, governance, SES, SI, resilience, strategic assessments, strategies for sustainability, capacitybuilding, multi-actor policy and urban and rural territorial planning. Each partner contributes to both conceptual and empirical dimensions through participatory research in small scale communities in Aveiro, Évora and Lisbon. Coherence and the integrity is ensured by TRUST governance structure and methodology, with integrated involvement of all partners in co-creation of research inputs and outcomes.