On behalf of the Thüringer Ministerium für Umwelt, Energie und Naturschutz (Thuringian Ministry for Environment, Energy and Nature Conversation), the Wuppertal Institute analyses the contents and structures of sustainability in the German federal state of Thuringia. The aim is to develop recommendations for action on how to refine and improve the future collaboration of non-governmental stakeholders and the state government of Thuringia. The analysis includes structured interviews and a stakeholder workshop.

The participation of non-governmental stakeholders is a central element of concepts for sustainable development. Their participation and involvement fulfils several functions: The broad participation of different interest groups with diverse sustainability objectives and preferences into decision-making processes increases legitimacy and improves acceptance of a sustainability strategy. Furthermore, it mobilises the resources of non-governmental stakeholders for a joint implementation of a sustainability strategy.