STICHTING TRANSNATIONAL INSTITUTE

Their core work

The Transnational Institute (TNI) is an Amsterdam-based policy research and advocacy think tank that works at the intersection of global justice, sustainability, and political economy. Their practical work involves producing policy analysis, facilitating transnational knowledge exchange, and developing governance frameworks that connect grassroots actors, municipal governments, and international institutions. In EU research projects, they contribute expertise in political economy analysis, participatory governance design, and North-South policy coherence — particularly on topics like public energy services, food sovereignty, and trade justice. They are not a laboratory or engineering institute; their value is in translating complex socio-economic dynamics into actionable policy recommendations.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

TNI entered H2020 through energy governance, specifically focusing on how municipalities and citizens can take ownership of energy transition — a topic rooted in public services and democratic participation. Their more recent project shifts the lens to global agricultural trade, food security, and the EU's development responsibilities toward Africa, reflecting a broadening toward international political economy and sustainability governance. The thread connecting both periods is a consistent interest in how public policy and collective governance can steer systemic transitions — the domain has shifted from energy to food, but the analytical lens remains the same.

TNI appears to be expanding its portfolio from European municipal energy policy toward global food systems and North-South trade governance, suggesting future collaborations are likely to span development policy, food sovereignty, and EU external relations rather than technical energy topics.

How they like to work

TNI has never coordinated an H2020 project — they consistently join as a partner, contributing their policy analysis and advocacy expertise to consortia led by others. With 20 unique partners across 14 countries in just two projects, they operate in medium-to-large, internationally diverse consortia rather than tight bilateral partnerships. This profile is typical of a think tank that brings political economy framing and civil society legitimacy to research projects rather than technical execution.

TNI has built connections with 20 distinct partner organizations across 14 countries through only two projects, indicating they are embedded in broad, geographically diverse consortia. Their partnerships likely span European universities, civil society organizations, and institutions with Africa and Global South connections, consistent with their issue focus.

What sets them apart

TNI occupies a rare niche as a politically engaged, internationally connected policy think tank that brings critical political economy perspectives to EU-funded research — something most technical research institutes cannot credibly offer. Their established relationships with social movements, municipal governments, and international development networks give them access to non-academic knowledge communities that few European research organizations can tap. For consortia needing credible civil society engagement, North-South legitimacy, or policy uptake pathways beyond academic publication, TNI is a distinctive and difficult-to-replace partner.

Highlights from their portfolio

• mPOWER
  Largest grant received (€255,750) and TNI's entry into H2020, focusing on an underexplored angle of energy transition — municipal governance and citizen-led public energy services rather than technology.
• MATS
  Addresses the politically complex intersection of EU agricultural trade policy, food security in Africa, and investment governance — a topic requiring TNI's specific expertise in trade justice and development policy coherence.