Governing the European Green Deal Through Local Social Experiments

Report

This SHARED GREEN DEAL analytical report explores how local communities across Europe are helping to put the European Green Deal into action through 24 social experiments. These locally led initiatives tested new ways of learning, collaborating, and shaping policy across six key Green Deal areas: Clean Energy, Circular Economy, Efficient Renovations, Sustainable Mobility, Sustainable Food, and Biodiversity.

By analysing how these experiments operated on the ground, the report shows how social experimentation can become a practical tool for governing the European Green Deal at the local level. The findings reveal that when local actors link experimentation to ongoing governance processes, build strong relationships, and adapt to challenges, they can drive meaningful and lasting change.

The report concludes with recommendations for EU, national, regional, and local policymakers, as well as for researchers and funders. These include recognising and supporting the role of local experimentation, embedding experimental methods in future policies and funding schemes, and fostering stronger networks for shared learning and collaboration.

Part of the Collection: Findings and Recommendations of the Secondary Data Analysis of the SHARED GREEN DEAL SSH Priority Themes.

The short webinar Governing the European Green Deal: how local experiments can help also presents the key reflections from the report. 

Governing the European Green Deal Through Local Social Experiments