Exploring a multiple-helix approach to local development

Abstract This article elaborates on a conceptual foundation of an analytical ‘multiple-helix’ approach for local sustainable development. It firstly explores relevant theoretical foundations, filtering out findings and identifying knowledge gaps that can contribute to frame the concept. Through empirical enquiries, the conceptual discussion is contrasted with illustrations from the EU Interreg North Sea project called SIRR (Sustainability, Innovation and Resilience in Rural Areas). This article evaluates how an analytical multiple-helix approach can redefine stakeholder roles, power relations, and collaborative processes in local development. This study argues that the multiple-helix approach, with its inherent adaptability and fluidity, effectively engages a diverse range of stakeholders. Unlike traditional helix models that often rely on predefined categories or fixed sets of actors, a multiple-helix approach provides a dynamic, locally adaptable framework for stakeholder collaboration and innovation. This interconnectedness enables an enhanced exchange of ideas and resources across sectors, fostering innovation and holistic solutions. However, the article highlights that further research is required to refine strategies for analysing micro-level interactions and to better understand the governance dynamics, democratic representation, and power distribution within multiple-helix collaborations. By bridging conceptual and empirical perspectives, this study contributes to the development of a more nuanced and practical analytical framework for fostering sustainable, resilient local development.