Unpacking multi-stakeholder collaborations

In the first half of 2026, we researched how multi-stakeholder collaboration actually works to see whether it differs from how it's supposed to work on paper.

Over three phases, we spoke with academic experts, facilitators, portfolio managers and contributors on the ground, from the Netherlands, Greece and Spain.

One finding kept surfacing: collaboration is fundamentally relational. Structure helps, but mainly once relationships and roles are already clear. Without that groundwork, the same structure can feel imposed rather than helpful.

Some other needs came up again and again, regardless of context. You can find the full report below.

This research is another step on our journey at Alkemio: to help us get better at building the place where public, private, civil society, citizens and other actors take on complex challenges together.