Swimming against the current : the journey of Canadian Transition initiatives in their quest for transformative change

Abstract: Humanity's current resource use patterns are unsustainable, and corrective action is required at all levels. Grassroots social innovation groups have great potential to contribute to solutions. The Transition movement has taken hold in Canada, but little is known about its successes and challenges in creating conditions for transformative change. Aimed at social innovation practitioners as well as academics, this thesis uses Transformative Social Innovation Theory (TRANSIT) to explore the challenges faced by Canadian Transition initiatives (TIs). Specific attention is focused on how well TIs are meeting two prerequisites for transformative change highlighted by Dumitru et al. (2016): the ability to build initiatives that attract and maintain membership, and the development of effective strategies to engage with their communities. Areas of particular concern are highlighted, including a high rate of dissolution. In addition, the study highlights characteristics which distinguish successful TIs. These include a greater tendency towards distributed leadership, self-evaluation, strategic planning, and viewing all partner groups as potential allies in the quest to build a more sustainable future. The author discusses the implications of the Canadian context, monitoring and evaluation, engagement choices, and suggests additional areas for potentially fruitful partnerships, including health/social agencies, the business community and academia. Based on data gathered through an in-depth questionnaire and interviews with 15 Canadian TIs, this thesis suggests that many initiatives are struggling to survive, let alone create transformative change. In the face of very significant hurdles, TIs need to arm themselves as fully as possible using social learning, system knowledge, strategic partnerships, and well thought-out engagement strategies to maximize their effectiveness, while being cognizant of the dangers of co-option. Further support from the Transition Network, particularly resources on evaluation, strategic planning and the dynamics of social change could enhance their success, as could the establishment of a Canadian Transition hub. Without a higher level of interconnectedness and support, Canadian TIs will remain largely isolated and dependent on finding the right mix of resources locally – a formidable challenge which places the overall sustainability of the Canadian movement in doubt.