Utilizing the multi-level perspective in empirical field research: methodological considerations - Transition Pathways towards Sustainability in Agriculture: Case Studies from Europe - page 59

(considered as essential) threshold values were set in order to decide which initiatives
qualified for inclusion. Second, the evaluation matrix was utilized to classify case studies in
order to provide a common basis for their selection and ensure comparability between
countries. The final selection of cases is described in Table 4.1.

Table 4.1. The outcome of the clustering process (Source: authors).

Selected Cluster Initiative

On ‐ farm wind energy production (Aberdeenshire, UK)
On-farm biogas production (Vysočina, Czech Republic)
On-farm biogas production in Wendland-Elbetal Bio ‐
energy region (Germany)

Renewable energy production

Sustainable rural lifestyle (Zhelen, Bulgaria)
New management in small-scale farming (Montemor-o-
Novo, Portugal)
Lifestyle land management (Aberdeenshire, UK)

Lifestyle farming

Integrating rural tourism and local food production for
sustainable development (Elena, Bulgaria)
A regional label for quality products and environmental
protection (White Carpathians, Czech Republic)
A local quality convention (Plastiras Lake, Greece)

Local quality and certification
schemes

Collaborating for multifunctionality in the Montado silvo-
pastoral system (Portugal)
Formalized machinery and labour sharing (Scotland,
UK)
Citizen shareholder capital for regional value creation
(Freiburg, Germany)

Collaboration in agriculture

New farmers' markets (Plzeňský region, Czech
Republic)
Short supply chains around the city of Rennes (France)
Integration of local winemaking and conventional
tourism in Santorini (Greece)

Alternative agri-food networks

New agricultural practices in protected areas (Bulgaria)
Valuing the Mediterranean wild resources (Portugal)
Landscape management in the St Amarin Valley
(France)

High nature value farming

Collective action to reduce green algae (Brittany,
France)
Groundwater protection through organic farming
(Mangfall valley, Germany)
Adaptation for survival: the case of peach producers in
Imathia (Greece)

Reducing the environmental
impact of farming

Note: Each research cluster is given a chapter in this topic, presenting findings from the
case studies that were simultaneously conducted in three selected countries.