Exploring the protection-versus-influence paradox in local grassroots niches

In sustainability transitions research, the concept of ‘protective space’ as a means for experimenting with and developing niche innovations has gained much attention. However, little is known about the local creation and unintended adverse outcomes of protected spaces in the context of grassroots niches which are weakly integrated into their local social environments. To address this gap, this study investigates the creation of a local protective space, namely a German ecovillage, and how protection mechanisms affect its potential to contribute to local sustainability transitions. Drawing on interviews, participant observation and document analysis, the findings suggest that the socio-spatial structure of the region and the mutual reproduction and cultivation of cultural boundaries constitute the protective space for experimentation. At the same time, these aspects limit mutual interest and contact between the ecovillage and the local social environment, thereby reducing the potential of the ecovillage to contribute to local sustainability transitions. This study refers to this phenomenon as the protection-versus-influence paradox and highlights the role protection mechanisms play in it's production. The article concludes that despite this paradox, the malleability of a local grassroots niche allows for the creation of semi-permeable spaces for collaboration and encounters without endangering the protected space. These findings advance the understanding of the complex nature of local grassroots niches as protective spaces for sustainability experimentation. • Protection mechanisms can limit grassroots innovations' place-based influence. • Cultural boundaries can be constitutive of protection mechanisms. • Semi-permeable spaces can help overcome the protection-versus-influence paradox.