Transition Management and Multi-Actor Multi-Criteria Analysis Intertwined: How MAMCA supports Transition Management and its political potential

Society is increasingly faced with multi-layered complex problems that are often
corresponding to sustainability challenges. Conflicting views on potential solutions to cope
with the problem at stake hinder an effective response to the current ecological crisis.
Transition Management was proposed as a new governance practice to deal with and foster
transitions. This contribution proposes the incorporation and alignment of the Multi-Actor
Multi-Criteria methodology within Transition Management to guide the multi-actor processes
in a structured manner. The Multi-Actor Multi-Criteria Analysis, a participative Multi-Criteria
Decision analysis method, allows involving different groups of stakeholders and their
objectives in decision-making processes to build the capacity for understanding and learning.
By opening up the transition arena, criticism towards the exclusivity and lack of political
elements within Transition Management are addressed. A case study demonstrates the
application of the Multi-Actor Multi-Criteria analysis for the set-up of Energy Communities
and draws a connection to the application within Transition Management.