Periodic Reporting for period 3 - COSMOLOCALISM (Design Global, Manufacture Local: Assessing the Practices, Innovation, and Sustainability Potential of an Emerging Mode of Production)
Reporting period: 2022-01-01 to 2023-12-31
COSMOLOCALISM aimed to explore and promote an emerging mode of production, based on the confluence of the digital commons (e.g. open knowledge and design) with local manufacturing and automation technologies (from 3D printing and CNC machines to low-tech tools and crafts), potentially leading to an inclusive mode of production. It investigated the transitional dynamics of this model, emphasising small-scale, decentralised, and resilient production that is locally controlled but globally developed. It adopted a comprehensive approach, incorporating diverse methodologies and transdisciplinary collaborations to assess the potential of the "design global-manufacture local" (DGML) model with regards to:
- Identifying business and organisational models of DGML initiatives by studying their relations with law, custom, and governance
- Examining the DGML innovation ecosystems by identifying their impact and capacity to reorient design and manufacturing practices, and crafting policy proposals for scaling up the model successfully
- Evaluating selected DGML products from an ecological economics perspective
The COSMOLOCALISM team called this productive configuration “cosmolocal production” to describe how local communities may reduce reliance on global supply chains by shifting production processes to local settings. These initiatives prioritise principles of reciprocity and self-organisation, promoting local independence, cultural diversity, and global benefits. COSMOLOCALISM also leveraged insights from these initiatives to drive pilot projects in Greece and Bhutan.
Numerous articles have been published that encapsulate the essence of cosmolocal production and its potential impact on society. Three key conclusions of COSMOLOCALISM are as follows:
- The cosmolocal approach advocates for a sustainable redefinition of economic development by transcending the dichotomy between the global and the local (see indicatively: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11625-023-01378-1(opens in new window))
- Cosmolocal production may transcend the traditional categorisation of low-tech versus hi-tech (see indicatively: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/20539517231180583(opens in new window)). Under certain conditions, cosmolocal production may combine the efficiency and versatility of digital/automated technology with low-tech’s potential for autonomy and resilience
- COSMOLOCALISM stressed the need for more holistic approaches in sustainability assessment methods integrating values- and impacts-based approaches (see indicatively: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S095965262203863X(opens in new window))
- Identifying business and organisational models of DGML initiatives by studying their relations with law, custom, and governance
- Examining the DGML innovation ecosystems by identifying their impact and capacity to reorient design and manufacturing practices, and crafting policy proposals for scaling up the model successfully
- Evaluating selected DGML products from an ecological economics perspective
The COSMOLOCALISM team called this productive configuration “cosmolocal production” to describe how local communities may reduce reliance on global supply chains by shifting production processes to local settings. These initiatives prioritise principles of reciprocity and self-organisation, promoting local independence, cultural diversity, and global benefits. COSMOLOCALISM also leveraged insights from these initiatives to drive pilot projects in Greece and Bhutan.
Numerous articles have been published that encapsulate the essence of cosmolocal production and its potential impact on society. Three key conclusions of COSMOLOCALISM are as follows:
- The cosmolocal approach advocates for a sustainable redefinition of economic development by transcending the dichotomy between the global and the local (see indicatively: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11625-023-01378-1(opens in new window))
- Cosmolocal production may transcend the traditional categorisation of low-tech versus hi-tech (see indicatively: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/20539517231180583(opens in new window)). Under certain conditions, cosmolocal production may combine the efficiency and versatility of digital/automated technology with low-tech’s potential for autonomy and resilience
- COSMOLOCALISM stressed the need for more holistic approaches in sustainability assessment methods integrating values- and impacts-based approaches (see indicatively: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S095965262203863X(opens in new window))
First, the project's management and coordination mechanisms were established, including personnel recruitment and procurement planning. Ethical requirements were addressed by formulating data management plans for research work (D2.4 - M6), and the Open Research Data Pilot (D1.1 - M6). Also, the Ethics Committee of Tallinn University of Technology approved the project's ethical considerations (D2.3 - M31); the participant information sheets and consent forms were translated into Greek and Bhutanese and approved (D2.1 - M33); a simplified version of the unexpected findings policy was also approved (D2.2 - M49); a Continuous Risk Assessment was adopted with an approved Risk Register (D2.5 - M33); the final Ethics Advisor report was approved (D2.6 - M57), confirming compliance with ethical standards.
The research was organised into three interwoven modules: (a) innovation and democratisation; (b) sustainability; and (c) pilots. Due to COVID-19 disruptions, focus shifted to desk-based research and case studies including online data collection and engagement with the wider network. Also, two Ph.D. students joined the project team in 2021, focusing on i. sustainable construction practices and ii. organisational practices in commons-based communities.
- Innovation and democratisation module: Indicative activities included: producing a visually enhanced handbook (T1.1 - Μ9); conducting participatory research on patterns of organisation protocols in the Greek pilot community (T2.1 - M18); as well as analysing support systems for grassroots innovation communities (T2.1 - M18), peer production from a state theory perspective (T3.3 T4.3 - M27) and value as a commons (T3.3 T4.3 - M45). Also, synergy was launched with CoG “HETEROPOLITICS: Refiguring the Common and the Political” and ERC StG project "PROSPERA: Prosperity without growth" to establish joint insights on innovation from commons-based perspectives.
- Sustainability module: Indicative activities included: communications with life-cycle assessment (LCA) experts (T2.3 - M7); a synthetic report on Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and local manufacturing technologies (T1.3 - M9); three articles on sustainability assessments of wind turbines, 3D printers, and buildings (T2.3 - M44); inputs to research and policy for environmental sustainability through reflexive approaches (T3.3 T4.3 - M62); evaluations of the roadmaps formed in WP3 looking at the case of the Wind Empowerment Association (T3.3 T4.3) (working paper - planned for M66). Also, synergy was launched with the Wind Empowerment Association, Polycare Institute, WIkiHouse initiative, and the international platform Materiom.
- Pilot module: Pilot communities in Greece and Bhutan engaged stakeholders, conducted workshops to collaboratively design and manufacture agricultural tools of daily use, and influenced local initiatives such as technology parks and energy cooperatives in the Greek pilot.
Beyond-academia dissemination: COSMOLOCALISM extended its academic impact by actively engaging stakeholders and the public through diverse activities (e.g. citizen science, public outreach, and consultation efforts). For instance, the Principal Investigator (PI) authored a trade book using football as a medium to envision a post-capitalist future, aiming for inclusive discussions beyond traditional academic settings. The PI initiated the AnotherFootball Foundation to promote COSMOLOCALISM's essence through sports. These efforts are part of TheOtherSchool, COSMOLOCALISM's beyond-academia dissemination coordinated by the PI.
The research was organised into three interwoven modules: (a) innovation and democratisation; (b) sustainability; and (c) pilots. Due to COVID-19 disruptions, focus shifted to desk-based research and case studies including online data collection and engagement with the wider network. Also, two Ph.D. students joined the project team in 2021, focusing on i. sustainable construction practices and ii. organisational practices in commons-based communities.
- Innovation and democratisation module: Indicative activities included: producing a visually enhanced handbook (T1.1 - Μ9); conducting participatory research on patterns of organisation protocols in the Greek pilot community (T2.1 - M18); as well as analysing support systems for grassroots innovation communities (T2.1 - M18), peer production from a state theory perspective (T3.3 T4.3 - M27) and value as a commons (T3.3 T4.3 - M45). Also, synergy was launched with CoG “HETEROPOLITICS: Refiguring the Common and the Political” and ERC StG project "PROSPERA: Prosperity without growth" to establish joint insights on innovation from commons-based perspectives.
- Sustainability module: Indicative activities included: communications with life-cycle assessment (LCA) experts (T2.3 - M7); a synthetic report on Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and local manufacturing technologies (T1.3 - M9); three articles on sustainability assessments of wind turbines, 3D printers, and buildings (T2.3 - M44); inputs to research and policy for environmental sustainability through reflexive approaches (T3.3 T4.3 - M62); evaluations of the roadmaps formed in WP3 looking at the case of the Wind Empowerment Association (T3.3 T4.3) (working paper - planned for M66). Also, synergy was launched with the Wind Empowerment Association, Polycare Institute, WIkiHouse initiative, and the international platform Materiom.
- Pilot module: Pilot communities in Greece and Bhutan engaged stakeholders, conducted workshops to collaboratively design and manufacture agricultural tools of daily use, and influenced local initiatives such as technology parks and energy cooperatives in the Greek pilot.
Beyond-academia dissemination: COSMOLOCALISM extended its academic impact by actively engaging stakeholders and the public through diverse activities (e.g. citizen science, public outreach, and consultation efforts). For instance, the Principal Investigator (PI) authored a trade book using football as a medium to envision a post-capitalist future, aiming for inclusive discussions beyond traditional academic settings. The PI initiated the AnotherFootball Foundation to promote COSMOLOCALISM's essence through sports. These efforts are part of TheOtherSchool, COSMOLOCALISM's beyond-academia dissemination coordinated by the PI.
The ultimate goal of COSMOLOCALISM is to conduct comprehensive research on the DGML model, stimulating debates and actions regarding new trajectories of the current techno-economic paradigm. In this perspective, the following aspects were identified:
- The importance of modularity and different political directions to the successful deployment of digital technologies
- The ambiguity of open innovation and the necessity to document commons-based innovation
- The need for a re-integration of value theory in social sciences and cultural discourse
- The exploration of cosmolocalism as a form of social coexistence
- Energy systems research bridges sustainability and organizational perspectives
- Reflexive rationality is advocated for comprehensive sustainability assessments
- Commons-based practices contribute to fairer digital economies
- Institutional frameworks for innovation are seen as needing a commons-based conceptualisation
- The need to create a “mid-tech” approach that balances low-tech and high-tech aspects
- The importance of real-life application to promote local empowerment and sustainable practices
- Public deliberation and diverse community engagement are required to shape sustainable socio-environmental visions
- The importance of modularity and different political directions to the successful deployment of digital technologies
- The ambiguity of open innovation and the necessity to document commons-based innovation
- The need for a re-integration of value theory in social sciences and cultural discourse
- The exploration of cosmolocalism as a form of social coexistence
- Energy systems research bridges sustainability and organizational perspectives
- Reflexive rationality is advocated for comprehensive sustainability assessments
- Commons-based practices contribute to fairer digital economies
- Institutional frameworks for innovation are seen as needing a commons-based conceptualisation
- The need to create a “mid-tech” approach that balances low-tech and high-tech aspects
- The importance of real-life application to promote local empowerment and sustainable practices
- Public deliberation and diverse community engagement are required to shape sustainable socio-environmental visions