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From Vision to Action: Citizen Commitment to the European Green...
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From Vision to Action: Citizen Commitment to the European Green Deal

A special issue of Social Sciences (ISSN 2076-0760).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 October 2025) | Viewed by 7713

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Sheila Holz

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Centre for Social Studies, University of Coimbra, 3000-995 Coimbra, Portugal
Interests: participatory and deliberative methodologies; EGD pathway; farm-to-fork strategy; sustainable agriculture; human-nature relationship; social learning
Dr. Denise Esteves

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Centre for Social Studies, University of Coimbra, 3000-995 Coimbra, Portugal
Interests: collaborative learning communities; education; youth engagement; sustainable development; environmental stewardship

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The European Green Deal (EGD) outlines Europe's strategic plan to achieve climate neutrality by 2050. This endeavor presents a significant challenge, necessitating shifts in individual behaviors and societal norms, all aligned with public policy initiatives. Additionally, achieving a comprehensive vision of sustainability calls for the in-depth examination of human and non-human interactions, gender dynamics, and the inclusion of vulnerable communities to ensure a just transition. PHOENIX, an H2020 project, delves into the lessons learned from participatory budgeting, citizens' assemblies, public debates, and forums addressing public policies. It analyzes how these practices can be adapted for discussions about the energy transition, circular economy, farm-to-fork initiatives, and ecosystem restoration to support the EGD's objectives.

This Special Issue covers various topics on how participatory and deliberative practices can be tailored to discuss the EGD’s pathway. These topics include, but are not limited to, theoretical discussions and empirical evidence addressing the following: good practices of participatory and/or deliberative processes dealing with EGD-related topics; discussions on how well-known participatory and/or deliberative practices may be adapted to deal with the challenges posed by the discussion of environmental topics, such as multilevel governance, the extended timeframe for implementation, the inclusion of different stakeholders and deniers, increasing mutual trust, discussing complex topics, and favoring behavior change in everyday life; interactions between humans and nature, and people’s behavior towards nature protection as well as restoration; and readiness to change towards a more sustainable lifestyle.

For consideration in this journal, please submit your abstracts and any questions to the Special Issue Guest Editors <>, <>, or the link https://www.mdpi.com/journal/socsci/special_issues/SNTV58IZN8/abstract by 31 December 2024. Notification of acceptance will be provided by 31 January 2025. Final papers are due on 30 April 2025 for peer review.

Dr. Sheila Holz
Dr. Denise Esteves
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a double-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Social Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1800 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • European Green Deal (EGD)
  • participatory and deliberative methodologies
  • sustainability
  • climate change
  • human–nature relationship

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

22 pages, 609 KB  
Article
Implementing the Farm-to-Fork Strategy: Challenges and Contributions of AKIS and Lifelong Learning
by Sheila Holz and Denise Esteves
Soc. Sci. 2026, 15(6), 356; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci15060356 - 29 May 2026
Abstract
The European Union’s Farm-to-Fork (F2F) Strategy sets an ambitious agenda for a socio-ecological transition, positioning agriculture as a critical sector for achieving sustainable food systems. However, its implementation faces significant systemic barriers that hinder its transformative potential. This paper applies a diagnostic framework, [...] Read more.
The European Union’s Farm-to-Fork (F2F) Strategy sets an ambitious agenda for a socio-ecological transition, positioning agriculture as a critical sector for achieving sustainable food systems. However, its implementation faces significant systemic barriers that hinder its transformative potential. This paper applies a diagnostic framework, derived from the H2020-funded PHOENIX project, that identifies six key challenges to democratic innovations in environmental governance: prolonged timeframes for tangible results, the complexity of environmental issues, the need for transcalar cooperation, the imperative to foster behavioural change, limited deliberative dialogue, and the need to build mutual trust. Through a review of public policies and scholarly literature, this analysis evaluates how these challenges manifest within the F2F Strategy, impacting farmers and the broader agri-food system. The findings demonstrate that barriers to F2F implementation are not solely technical or economic but are deeply linked to governance fragmentation, uneven knowledge flows, and deficits in trust relations. Crucially, the study reveals that Agricultural Knowledge and Innovation Systems (AKIS) and associated Education and Training (ET) consistently emerge as pivotal enabling mechanisms to mitigate these constraints. The research generates actionable recommendations to reinforce F2F by redefining the roles of innovation, education, and multi-level collaboration in building resilient and sustainable EU agri-food systems. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue From Vision to Action: Citizen Commitment to the European Green Deal)
23 pages, 671 KB  
Article
Urban Regeneration Processes and Climate Action: Lessons Learned from NBS Co-Creation and Co-Governance
by Isabel Ferreira, Andreia Barbas and Joana Santos
Soc. Sci. 2026, 15(6), 354; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci15060354 - 29 May 2026
Abstract
Aiming for a just transition towards climate neutrality requires urban regeneration strategies that address ecological and social vulnerabilities. This study examines the strategies and experiences of developing nature-based solutions (NBS) for the regeneration of public space in neighbourhoods of seven European cities participating [...] Read more.
Aiming for a just transition towards climate neutrality requires urban regeneration strategies that address ecological and social vulnerabilities. This study examines the strategies and experiences of developing nature-based solutions (NBS) for the regeneration of public space in neighbourhoods of seven European cities participating in the URBiNAT project. The aim is to move beyond the discussions on material solutions and focus on the sociopolitical components that shape the impact of NBS towards adaptation of urban communities and public spaces to climate change. Drawing on a qualitative sociological approach, the research enquires into the drivers and impact of participatory processes in the ecological and social dimensions of urban regeneration. More specifically, the study addresses the following research questions: (1) What are the individual, collective and institutional motivations that instigate different typologies of actors to engage in these processes? (2) What is the relevance of balancing material and immaterial solutions? (3) What are the lessons learned from the multiple actors, considering their experiences, expectations, and priorities? Findings confirm that the aim to produce socially and ecologically robust climate solutions for urban regeneration can be achieved through collaborative governance strategies emerging from, and tailored to, the typology of actors’ specific sensitivities, expectations, and priorities. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue From Vision to Action: Citizen Commitment to the European Green Deal)
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34 pages, 1719 KB  
Article
Learning to Deliberate Through Hybrid Role-Playing Games: Evidence from Participatory Budgeting Simulations
by Paolo Spada, Marco Meloni, Matt Ryan, Richard Gomer and Vanyssa Wanick
Soc. Sci. 2026, 15(5), 295; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci15050295 - 2 May 2026
Viewed by 327
Abstract
Hybrid role-playing games are increasingly used to support democratic learning, yet there is limited empirical evidence on how such hybrid designs function across contexts. This study analyses the pedagogical and deliberative effects of Empaville, a hybrid role-playing game designed to simulate a green [...] Read more.
Hybrid role-playing games are increasingly used to support democratic learning, yet there is limited empirical evidence on how such hybrid designs function across contexts. This study analyses the pedagogical and deliberative effects of Empaville, a hybrid role-playing game designed to simulate a green participatory budgeting process by embedding deliberation, competition, and voting within a fictional urban setting. We analyse six implementations conducted between 2023 and 2025 in the United Kingdom and Morocco (N = 118), combining participant observation with post-game survey data. The analysis examines role activation, phase-level enjoyment, and participants’ reported learning and deliberative experiences, using descriptive statistics, non-parametric tests, effect size measures, and qualitative thematic analysis. Across contexts, participants report that the game supports perspective-taking, intellectual humility, and constructive engagement with disagreement, while perceived learning and participation intensity vary more substantially across individuals and sessions. Cross-national comparisons reveal some statistically detectable differences in how specific phases are experienced, particularly voting, but effect sizes are generally small or trivial, indicating limited substantive divergence overall. These findings suggest that hybrid role-playing games can foster deliberative learning outcomes in short educational interventions, while highlighting the importance of distinguishing between enjoyment, engagement, and perceived pedagogical value. The study contributes an exploratory but systematic mixed-methods evaluation suitable for small-N pedagogical interventions without causal claims. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue From Vision to Action: Citizen Commitment to the European Green Deal)
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39 pages, 2155 KB  
Article
Developing Energy Citizenship—Empowerment Through Engagement and (Co-)Ownership, Individually and in Energy Communities
by Jens Lowitzsch, Michiel Heldeweg, Julia Epp and Monika Bucha
Soc. Sci. 2026, 15(1), 56; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci15010056 - 22 Jan 2026
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 872
Abstract
Opportunities for citizens to become prosumers have grown rapidly with renewable energy (RE) technologies reaching grid parity. The European Union’s ability to harness this potential depends on empowering energy citizens, fostering active engagement, and overcoming resistance to RE deployment. European energy law introduced [...] Read more.
Opportunities for citizens to become prosumers have grown rapidly with renewable energy (RE) technologies reaching grid parity. The European Union’s ability to harness this potential depends on empowering energy citizens, fostering active engagement, and overcoming resistance to RE deployment. European energy law introduced “renewable self-consumers” and “active customers” with rights to consume, sell, store, and share RE, alongside rights for citizens collectively organised in energy communities. This article explores conditions for inclusive citizen engagement and empowerment within the RE system. Building on an ownership- and governance-oriented approach, we further develop the concept of energy citizenship, focusing on three elements: conditions for successful engagement, individual versus collective (financial) participation, and the role of public (co-)ownership in fostering inclusion. The analysis is supported by 82 semi-structured interviews, corroborating our theoretical lens. Findings show that participation, especially of vulnerable consumers, relies on an intact “engagement chain,” while energy communities remain an underused instrument for inclusion. Institutional environments enabling municipalities and public entities to act as pace-making (co-)owners are identified as key. Complementing the market and the State, civil society holds important potential to enhance engagement. Inspired by the 2017 European Pillar of Social Rights, we propose a corresponding “European Pillar of Energy Rights.” Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue From Vision to Action: Citizen Commitment to the European Green Deal)
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19 pages, 2793 KB  
Article
SimIceland: Towards a Spatial Microsimulation Approach for Exploring ‘Green’ Citizenship Attitudes in Island Contexts
by Sissal Dahl, Loes Bouman, Benjamin David Hennig and Dimitris Ballas
Soc. Sci. 2025, 14(9), 525; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci14090525 - 30 Aug 2025
Viewed by 1224
Abstract
Islands and island communities are often perceived as homogenous in mainstream discourse. While many islands share characteristics, such as smallness or isolation, these are experienced differently across and within island contexts and intersect with spatial, socio-cultural, political, and economic landscapes. The concept of [...] Read more.
Islands and island communities are often perceived as homogenous in mainstream discourse. While many islands share characteristics, such as smallness or isolation, these are experienced differently across and within island contexts and intersect with spatial, socio-cultural, political, and economic landscapes. The concept of islandness is developed to both understand shared island characteristics and their differences across places, communities, and situations. This makes islandness highly relevant to discussions of green transitions as it highlights the need to examine the diverse, intersecting, and local realities that might interfere with green citizenship. However, analytical approaches to islandness are limited, with few spatial, scalable, and transferable frameworks available. This paper argues that spatial microsimulation offers a productive way to engage with islandness using the case of climate change and environmental attitudes across Iceland. We present the SimIceland model, developed within the EU-funded project PHOENIX: The Rise of Citizens’ Voices for a Greener Europe. The model is developed to better understand how Iceland’s citizens’ feel about climate change by taking socio-cultural, environmental, and different geographical administrative regions into account. Through a simple example of an analytical demonstration, we show how this model can support a deeper understanding of islandness in the specific context of climate attitudes in Iceland. Furthermore, we discuss how the model can contribute to public participation initiatives. The model and data are open access, and we conclude by inviting further developments and the use of spatial microsimulation to explore islandness, green citizenship, and participatory approaches to sustainability in island contexts. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue From Vision to Action: Citizen Commitment to the European Green Deal)
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19 pages, 334 KB  
Article
Nature at the Heart of Ecological Transition: Five Ideas to Allow a Plural, Reflexive, Intercultural, Transnational, Ecological, and Dynamic Citizenship
by Fátima Alves, Diogo Guedes Vidal, Giovanni Allegretti, Edmundo Gallo, Hermano Albuquerque de Castro and Helena Freitas
Soc. Sci. 2024, 13(12), 697; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci13120697 - 20 Dec 2024
Viewed by 3541
Abstract
To change the course of traditional citizen participation towards ecological transition (ET) and to promote a sustainable transformation of social systems, it is necessary to implement a transformative policy that is based on a deep understanding of the territories in their biophysical, socioeconomic, [...] Read more.
To change the course of traditional citizen participation towards ecological transition (ET) and to promote a sustainable transformation of social systems, it is necessary to implement a transformative policy that is based on a deep understanding of the territories in their biophysical, socioeconomic, and cultural dimensions. This policy should incorporate and articulate a plurality of knowledge, technologies, powers, and local positions. In this paper, we propose five ideas inspired by initiatives and examples from around the world to promote plural, reflexive, intercultural, transnational, ecological, and dynamic citizenship, which may foster a fair and inclusive ET. This scenario aims to envision alternative modes of social organization to anticipate ecologically and globally equitable futures. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue From Vision to Action: Citizen Commitment to the European Green Deal)
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