Governance for Sustainability (G-FORS)

Project details

Funding body: European Commission FP6

Collaborators:

• Metropolitan of Hannover
• EUROCITIES
• Darmstadt University of Technology
• University of Warsaw
• University of Twente
• Politecnico di Milano
• University of Goteborg
• Norwegian Institute for Urban and Regional Research
• Panteion University
• Centre for Regional Studies of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences
• Institute for Regional Development and Structural Planning, Erkner (Germany)

Dates: 2006-2009

Project summary

In 2006, AQMRC joined Governance for Sustainability (G-FORS) to undertake a three year research project which brings together EURA members consisting of 12 partners from 10 European countries. G-FORS was an FP6 funded project under Priority 7 - Citizens and Governance in a Knowledge-Based Society.

The G-FORS team developed an innovative analytical model for the study of governance for sustainability, focusing on the synergy between new governance modes and different forms of knowledge, taking into account the rapid changes in the knowledge society. The project identified a range of different forms of knowledge and analysed how these may interact in the context of particular governance arrangements to produce 'reflexive knowledge' and contribute to a more legitimate understanding of sustainability.

G-FORS helped to shape the European Research Area by developing links with other projects on similar themes across Europe and developed a systematic dissemination strategy to end-users at all levels of government. It also added to the body of knowledge on the interaction between modes of governance, knowledge and broadened participation.