Vulnerability assessment and engagement strategy

This deliverable presents the findings from Task 1.4 of a Horizon Europe funded project READJUST (Just Transition to a Green and Digital Future for all). The task focuses on the impact of the twin transition - green and digital transformations - on vulnerable groups within the agri-food and mobility sectors. Its primary goal is to synthesise experts' views on vulnerable groups affected by the twin transition in these two sectors. Vulnerable groups are defined as those who face greater challenges to adapt to transitions due to their sensitivity and limited capacity to respond to the changes. The challenges may be caused by pre-existing inequalities, systemic barriers, or limited access to the resources and support needed for better adaptation.

The report employs a multi-level, multi-stakeholder approach, utilising insights from focus group interviews conducted with experts to build a nuanced understanding of vulnerability in the context of the twin transition. The task began with system mapping workshops with READJUST partners to accumulate project group’s existing insights and inform the design of focus group discussions. Then four focus group interviews were organised, with 26 participants in total, representing diverse organisations within the quadruple helix framework. The resulting data were analysed using abductive approach to vulnerability assessment.

The findings summarise experts’ views on the changes brought along with green and digital transition in the agri-food and mobility sectors; how these changes affect different societal groups; and the groups in which vulnerabilities are likely to arise. Vulnerability issues - sensitivity and limited response capacity - that may cause difficulties for these and other groups are summarised to inform further research and co-creation activities. The document concludes with recommendations for policymakers to engage vulnerable groups in the planning of green and digital transitions. It emphasises the importance of conducting situation-specific assessments of vulnerabilities and summarises a method for conducting such assessment. For READJUST project, the report creates an overview of engagement strategy to ensure that the voices of vulnerable groups in specific contexts of investigation are included in the co-creation processes aiming to contribute to fair and equal policies for facilitating just twin transition.