Exploring Synergies Among European Universities, Government, Industry, and Civil Society on Promotion of Green Policies and Just Transition Facets: Empirical Evidence from Six European Countries

Georgios A. Deirmentzoglou (), Nikolaos Apostolopoulos, Sotiris Apostolopoulos, Eleni E. Anastasopoulou, Lefteris Topaloglou, Konstantinia Nikolaidou, Tsvetomira Penkova, Miguel Corbí Santamaría, Sandra Nieto-González, Dragana Radenkovic Jocic, Marina Stanojević and George Sklias
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Georgios A. Deirmentzoglou: Department of Economics and Business, Neapolis University Pafos, 8042 Pafos, Cyprus
Nikolaos Apostolopoulos: Department of Management Science and Technology, University of Peloponnese, 22100 Tripoli, Greece
Sotiris Apostolopoulos: Department of Economics and Business, Neapolis University Pafos, 8042 Pafos, Cyprus
Eleni E. Anastasopoulou: Department of Economics and Business, Neapolis University Pafos, 8042 Pafos, Cyprus
Lefteris Topaloglou: Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Western Macedonia, 50100 Kozani, Greece
Konstantinia Nikolaidou: Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Western Macedonia, 50100 Kozani, Greece
Tsvetomira Penkova: Department of National and Regional Security, University of National and World Economy, ul. “8-mi dekemvri” 19, 1700 Sofia, Bulgaria
Miguel Corbí Santamaría: Department of Specific Didactics, University of Burgos, C/Villadiego, 09001 Burgos, Spain
Sandra Nieto-González: Department of Social Psychology, University of Burgos, C/Villadiego, 09001 Burgos, Spain
Dragana Radenkovic Jocic: Faculty of Economics, University of Niš, Trg kralja Aleksandra Ujedinitelja 11, 18105 Niš, Serbia
Marina Stanojević: Faculty of Economics, University of Niš, Trg kralja Aleksandra Ujedinitelja 11, 18105 Niš, Serbia
George Sklias: Department of Economics and Business, Neapolis University Pafos, 8042 Pafos, Cyprus

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 16, 1-17

Abstract: This cross-country study examines how higher education institutions collaborate with government, industry, and civil society to promote the European Green Deal and Just Transition initiatives. Framed within the quadruple helix (QH) model, the research investigates emerging partnerships and the integration of green policies across six European countries: Bulgaria, Cyprus, France, Greece, Serbia, and Spain. Special emphasis is placed on the strategic role of universities in advancing the environmental, social, and economic dimensions of sustainability through their initiatives. Drawing on 30 semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders, including local public officials, academics, entrepreneurs, students, and unemployed youth, the study uncovers a growing alignment between academic initiatives and national sustainability agendas. While the extent of policy integration and collaboration varies, the findings underscore the importance of universities in shaping environmental awareness, fostering green innovation, and advancing multi-actor partnerships. The study contributes to the theoretical discourse on the QH model by applying it to the field of green transition policy and offers practical recommendations for enhancing the role of universities in sustainability-oriented governance and education.

Keywords: green policies; just transition; universities; quadruple helix; synergies; Green Deal; sustainable development; university-community collaboration (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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