BOLSTER, standing for Bridging Organizations and marginalized communities for Local Sustainability Transitions in EuRope, aligns with the European Green Deal's (EGD) vision for a fair and prosperous society, aiming for climate neutrality by 2050. The EGD emphasizes the importance of ensuring that no citizen is left behind in this transition, introducing the Just Transition Mechanism to support regions most impacted by the shift. However, there are significant knowledge gaps and societal barriers hindering the social acceptance of transition strategies.
Firstly, the impact of transition policies on marginalized communities remains poorly understood, risking furthering existing inequalities. Secondly, citizens desire more influence in transition processes, yet meaningful avenues for participation are lacking. Thirdly, understanding the causes and consequences of polarization surrounding transition strategies is essential, as low social acceptance can impede policy implementation.
To address these challenges, BOLSTER aims to understand the effects of EGD-related policies on marginalized communities and assess the impact of involving them in decision-making processes on transition plan support. Through innovative (action)-research methods, BOLSTER will provide new scientific evidence on how transition policies intersect with various dimensions of inequality, such as age, gender, class, and race. By employing qualitative research methods like the go-along method and mind mapping, BOLSTER will gain nuanced insights into the lived experiences of marginalized Europeans, enhancing policymakers' understanding of their needs.
BOLSTER will advance the fields of sustainable transitions, participatory democracy, and environmental governance by shedding light on the trade-offs and synergies of climate action. Through innovation actions in ten European regions, including seven severely affected by the EGD and three chosen to learn from past transitions, BOLSTER will organize participatory actions and multi-actor forums. These regions will serve as living labs, allowing for the study of transition processes firsthand.
The BOLSTER consortium, comprising experts from various social science and humanities disciplines, will leverage societal and academic insights on climate justice and gender equality to develop novel policy approaches and practical tools for practitioners. By fostering collaboration between diverse stakeholders, BOLSTER aims to facilitate a just transition that supports the goals of the EGD and NextGenerationEU.
