D1.2 MATs methodology

This document constitutes the deliverable D1.2 MATs Methodology and describes the activities to be developed in Npower project by the Multi-actor transition groups (MATs). The activity is framed within NPower WP1 Establishment of multiactor transition groups within EU Regional Clusters, that aims at establishing 20 Multiactor Transition Groups (MATs) belonging to 4 Regional Clusters (RCs): RC1 in Murcia (Spain), RC2 in Belgium, RC3 in Finland and RC4 in Ireland. Specifically, it is outlined in Task 1.1, to design the conceptual framework for stakeholder engagement, which is defined as the strategic process for interacting with stakeholders (practitioners, researchers and policy makers) to understand shared interests, preferences, and potential for collaboration.  

The MATs Methodology relies on IAP2 Core Values for Public Participation aligned with the Ethical principles further detailed in Deliverable 8.2 of NPower project. It contains activities encompassing different levels of participation (informative level, consultive level and collaborative level), that have been selected following IAP2’s Spectrum of Public Participation to define the stakeholders’ role in any engagement process. The Methodology is also underpinned by conceptual multi
actor models, explained in the Theoretical Framework. 

The first step to design the MATs methodology has been an Ecosystem mapping, where information on existing resources for public participation, both in terms of relevant stakeholders and infrastructures, in the different Regional Clusters (Murcia, Belgium, Finland and Ireland) has been gathered. 

Subsequently, in section Methods and tools, the different levels of public engagement to be used in the NPower project (informative level, consultive level and collaborative level) were analysed and compared to the activities foreseen in the NPower description of Action. In this way, the MATs methodology aims to facilitate decision making on those tools or methods that are most suitable for the MATs activities according to the goals of the specific action, its complexity and sensitivity. The methodologies to be applied, including quantitative and qualitative procedures to collect the information from the MATs activities, and templates to facilitate their implementation and ensure the reproducibility along the different RCs, are described in detail in the Annex. 

In section Action Plan, an action-oriented timeline has been elaborated based on the ecosystem analysis and the diagnosis, in which concrete activities are defined together with the required resources and responsibilities. The action plan is developed in a collaborative way, revised and adjusted along the project lifecycle. 
Finally, the section Conclusion collects the lessons learnt during the MATs activities and how these can be applied to other activities.

As the MATs methodology is a living document that will be launched on M9 (September 2025) and updated during the whole project duration, it is recommended to apply the lessons learnt during the activities (for instance, the engagement of  stakeholders achieved during the MATs KOM) in forthcoming tasks such as those in WP4 (Identification and selection of relevant BMPs at regional and EU level, and demonstration of N/P balancing BMPs), WP5 (Development and showcasing of innovative governance measures, and capacity building for effective implementation) and WP7 (EU potential for replicating circularity) identifying and analysing opportunities to ensure the replicability of project results.