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BUILDING POLICY CAPACITY – Online Dialogue Tools for the Energy Transition

Building Policy Capacity is a research project aimed at enhancing the ability of public institutions, private actors, and civil society to engage in meaningful dialogue around the energy transition, using digital and participatory tools. The initiative investigates how social representations and narrative conflicts shape energy policy debates, with the goal of fostering more democratic, inclusive, and effective governance processes.

By analyzing dominant political and social frames, the project contributes to the development of policies that integrate technological, environmental, economic, and social dimensions—encouraging shared and sustainable solutions.

Objectives

The project seeks to:

  • Strengthen the policy-making capacity of institutions, businesses, and local communities in managing the energy transition.
  • Examine and decode the political, social, and communicative frames that drive consensus or conflict around energy policies.
  • Develop online tools to support democratic participation and facilitate dialogue among diverse stakeholders.
  • Promote a fair and balanced energy transition through inclusive and transparent decision-making processes.

Key Activities

The project includes a range of integrated actions:

  • Qualitative and quantitative research on the framing of the energy transition by political parties, trade unions, associations, social movements, and the media.
  • Mapping territorial conflicts and local opposition to renewable energy initiatives.
  • Designing digital tools for stakeholder engagement and social dialogue.
  • Producing policy recommendations to support inclusive and participatory approaches.
  • Training activities, public dissemination, and dialogue with policymakers.

Partnership

Building Policy Capacity is funded under the PON React EU – Research and Innovation 2014–2020 program, as part of the call for Research Contracts on Innovation (1062_R43_GREEN). The project is coordinated by the Department of Political and Social Sciences (DISPES) at the University of Calabria.

The research is carried out in collaboration with:

  • PRIN project “Making Sense of the Energy Transition: Political Framing and Social Conflicts Across Multiple Crises”
  • PRIN project “Freedom of Information, Democracy and the Environment”
  • Fondazione Ecosistemi

The research team includes experts in political science, public communication, participatory processes, and environmental governance.

Download the report: The Energy Transition Between Technology, Politics, and Policy

For more information: Sabina Nicolella

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