Engaging Stakeholders in Climate Action
The “Leading Transition Together” program was designed to enhance the capacity for system innovation among local stakeholders involved in Umeå’s Green Deal also called Climate Roadmap. The learning program, which ran from February to May, included a series of four in-person sessions and supplementary webinars. These sessions aimed to move from theoretical knowledge to practical applications, fostering a shared understanding of the challenges and pathways towards a climate neutral Umeå.
Building a Collaborative Learning Environment
The learning program successfully engaged around 40 participants from various sectors, including both private and public stakeholders. The sessions were structured to include expert presentations, stakeholder insights, and ample time for networking and discussions. This format not only facilitated deep sharing of experiences and challenges but also built a strong sense of psychological safety among participants in order to allow for open and honest discussions. The innovative nature of the program was widely appreciated, and it helped create a close-knit group committed to the ambition of becoming better at leading the transition together.
Insights and Future Directions
“One aspect we wanted to emphasize in the learning program was to give room to often-overlooked topics such as handling frustration and conflict in climate work. These sessions resonated deeply with participants, many of whom work in relative isolation within their organizations,”
— Rebecka Janols, Innovation Officer at the City of Umeå.
The program highlighted the need for ongoing opportunities to connect and share experiences, which Umeå plans to continue offering beyond the project. Another significant lesson was the power of setting the agenda and maintaining focus on key issues: By consistently addressing barriers to transition, such as organizational lock-ins and behavioral challenges, we fostered ongoing engagement and dialogue among stakeholders about these topics. This approach demonstrated that municipalities can effectively steer discussions and establish new topics in the climate discourse through persistent agenda setting.
Moving Forward
The success of the “Leading Transition Together” initiative has provided valuable insights for future capacity-building efforts. Umeå is now working on publishing a handbook to document the learning program’s structure, materials, and key learnings. This resource will serve as a guide for other cities looking to replicate the program and foster similar collaborative environments.
As Umeå continues its journey towards climate neutrality, the lessons learned from this initiative will play a crucial role in shaping our strategies and actions. We remain committed to engaging all stakeholders in our climate roadmap and leading the way in sustainable urban development.
For more information: Lärandeträffar våren 2024 - Umeå kommun
Author: Lucas Röhlinger
City of Umeå, Sweden
Strategic development officer for climate issues
Project manager for the project North star (mentioned in the text)