Governing green missions within regions: the case of the Basque Country

Abstract This paper examines the place-based dimensions of mission-oriented innovation policies, specifically exploring the role of governance modes and institutional settings in defining and articulating missions. Using a structured-focused comparison of case studies, we analyse the definition process of a green mobility initiative by the regional government in the Basque Country, Spain, alongside a corresponding subregional mission aimed at promoting new mobility solutions. Our findings reveal that varying governance modes have led to distinct types of missions, highlighting the relevance of institutional path dependencies in policy translation processes and their impact on mission directionality. We argue that this diversity can provide complementarities rather than fragmentation across different levels of government, facilitating a multilevel approach that effectively mobilises regional resources and communities.