Our methodology

There is a growing demand for new systems which have been developed with other mindsets than the ones that created them.

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  • Design Thinking & Creative Problem Solving
  • Participatory Methods
  • Applied Systems Thinking
  • Art & Social Innovation
  • Consciousness Practices
  • Nature & Biomimicry

A systemic approach is needed in order to ensure a sustainable development

Sustainable development is a multifaceted concept as well as a buzz-phrase of our times. It stems from the 1987 Brundtland report, which defines it as “development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs and that balances social, economic and environmental concerns” (WCED, 1987).

Today, the concept of sustainable development is used in a broad range of sectors and settings, often with differing connotations and substantive content. What researchers within the field increasingly agree upon however, is the interconnectedness of earthly systems. Partly leaving their technocratic silo approaches behind, most researchers and stakeholders now acknowledge the need for holistic responses to the range of challenges that the world is currently facing.
Our theory of change

Systemic Approach to Sustainability Transitions

We do not, by any means, claim to perform systemic change solely through our projects and initiatives, but rather acknowledge our contribution as a small intervention in the larger system. We do apply a holistic perspective when developing projects however, and aspire to be one of the multiple initiatives that in sum and over time generate a systemic shift. All of our projects is moreover inspired by cutting edge research on sustainability transitions.

What is Sustainability Transitions?

Research on sustainability transitions has gained growing attention in recent years (Markard, 2017). In the field of sustainable development, sustainability transition theory provides added value by applying a systemic perspective. Instead of reducing sustainability to a normative or abstract goal somewhere in the future (Geels et al, 2019), the theory argues that sustainability can in fact be achieved within our current socioeconomic system. To proactively design new structures and mechanisms that would facilitate an effective sustainability transition however, one must first gain insight into the structures upholding the current system. The kind of change required to transform the prevailing trajectory of human affairs is thereafter presented as a second level change: one that requires a major shift and a complete transformation of the system itself, not only components of it. This approach has gained growing acceptance among sustainability front runners, as visible in the EU Commission’s Green Deal (2019) and EUs Action Plan for Sustainable Finance (European Commission, 2017).
the call for new mindsets

Not right or wrong

Sustainability transitions are non-linear, society-wide processes where bottom-up activities of innovation, experimentation, learning and networking play a key role. Change occurs through interdependent adjustments in technologies, business models, behaviours, rules, values, and so on, collectively producing nonlinear and highly unpredictable results (Meadows, 2008). A transition is never a single actor endeavor but materializes in the interactions between multiple actors, including businesses, consumers, academia, policymakers, social movements and other interest groups (Markard et al, 2021). Founded upon iterative processes, they are evolutionary by nature, inherently uncertain and open-ended rather than a one-stop shop. Surprises and unintended outcomes should therefore be expected. Transitions are also highly political and sometimes conflictual. They produce winners, losers, trade-offs, and spark related struggles, since influential and well-resourced incumbents often tend to resist change. Their long-term success is thus highly dependent upon broad social acceptance.
OUR toolbox

We apply a mixed-method approach to address the very nature of sustainability transitions

Design Thinking

A powerful process of problem solving that starts with understanding previously unmet customer needs. That insight kick-starts a process of innovation, encompassing concept development, applied creativity, prototyping, and experimentation. The methodology suggests an iterative approach which entails a constant dialogue with the end-users through out a project.

Participatory Methods

A proven method to include multistakeholder-groups in non-linear processes which often is the case in sustainability transitions. It might involve multi-stakeholder workshops, participatory inquiry, action research, oral testimonies or story collection which further is collected for analysis. Collecting multiple perspectives when identifying root causes is key for insight-driven innovation.

Applied Systems Thinking

We apply systems thinking by seeing all our projects as parts of larger systems. We do so by recognizing system behaviours through system mapping and system archetypes, diagnosing systemic issues, identifying leverage points and designing interventions with the intention to lead the system as a whole towards a new equilibrium.

Art & Social Innovation

Art and social innovation enables a space where one can connect beyond intellect and thinking – on an individual level, as well as on a group level. Contemplating our present and allowing us to dream of utopian futures is a crucial step in order to pave the way for a sustainable future we yearn to live in.

Consciousness Practices

Our human brains, and in particular the western ones, are not trained for the high complexity, high uncertainty, paradoxes and trade-offs, non-linearity and feedback loops which is part of working with system design and sustainability transitions. We integrate consciousness practices to support teams in dealing with this aspects of the processes.

Nature

Biomimicry is the science of applying nature-inspired designs in human engineering and invention to solve human problems. We apply principles from biomimicry in how we work and what we make. Nature has been solving complex problems for millions of years, we intend to learn and be inspired from that very intelligence.
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