The article “Systemic intermediation for transformative research and innovation policy: intermediation activities and networks enabled through a portfolio approach” by Christoph Brodnik, Cristian Matti, and Oscar Yandy Romero-Goyeneche offers an analysis of systemic intermediation as a crucial strategy for implementing transformative research and innovation (R&I) policy.
Drawing on practical experience from EIT Climate-KIC and the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre, the authors explore how strategically designed innovation portfolios can align diverse actors, projects, and institutions to drive sustainability transitions.
Through a combination of semi-structured interviews and social network analysis of food-related initiatives, the paper reveals how intermediation operates across multiple levels of the system to enable systemic change.
Crucially, the study highlights the importance of simultaneous and complementary intermediation at both lower and higher system levels:
- At the project (lower) level, intermediation nurtures local innovation ecosystems, supporting learning, network-building, and capacity development.
- At the policy (higher) level, it facilitates institutional alignment, influences governance structures, and brokers collaboration across fragmented innovation landscapes.
The paper illustrates how EIT Climate-KIC plays a pivotal role in bridging these levels—connecting grassroots experimentation with strategic policymaking. This multi-level coordination fosters knowledge flows and feedback loops that enhance system adaptability. Over time, the evolution of these innovation networks—from brokered to more modular forms—signals growing specialization and diversity, particularly in areas like sustainable food systems.
By adopting a portfolio approach, intermediation becomes a flexible governance mechanism that connects science, policy, and practice. It enables reflexivity, promotes multi-level learning, and drives mission-oriented innovation. According to the authors, this is essential for addressing today’s complex societal challenges, where isolated innovations alone are insufficient.
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