On 24–26 June 2025, SPOON partner The Austrian Institute of Technology (AIT) presented a new impact evaluation framework at the International Sustainability Transitions Conference (IST 2025), held at Iscte – University Institute of Lisbon, Portugal.

Organised by the Sustainability Transitions Research Network (STRN), the event brought together over 300 participants, including researchers, policymakers, civil society actors, and business representatives, to explore strategies for accelerating sustainability transitions.

AIT’s presentation, titled “Evaluating the contribution of citizen science labs to food system transformation: tensions, mutual learning and success factors in participatory development of an impact evaluation framework”, highlighted innovative, participatory strategies to assess the role of Citizen Science Labs in transforming food systems.

Developed collaboratively with project partners and Citizen Science Labs, the framework is meant to evaluate and enhance project impact, supporting the implementation of SPOON tools and activities. It redefines the role of evaluators as active agents of change, using formative evaluation to strengthen learning, adaptability, and long-term impact. The approach encourages responsiveness to local needs and focuses on enabling lasting behavioural change.

Contributing to the conference’s broader theme of inclusive and knowledge-driven sustainability transitions, AIT’s work underlines SPOON’s commitment to meaningful, participatory evaluation and impact enhancement across food systems transformation.

Cover photo by Fabio Vilhena on Unsplash