The Impact

Building Capa‑Cities is generating significant and sustained impact by strengthening the capacity of local authorities to act as effective drivers of climate‑positive behavioural change through innovative ways of working internally and with local communities. The project translates behavioural science research into practical tools, skills and governance innovations that directly inform public policy, organisational practice and community engagement, with demonstrable and anticipated impacts over time. The three complementary strands of the project ensure that the outcomes and impacts are evidence-informed and human-centred, as both the staff interviews and the community intervention evaluation will contribute to enhance the micro-credential.

Key research outputs include evidence‑based organisational diagnostics, evaluated behavioural interventions, and a co‑created micro‑credential in sustainable behaviour change for public administration. These outputs are already shaping decision‑making within Cork City Council by embedding behavioural insights into everyday workflows, policy design and service delivery. The project is also generating academic dissemination outputs, including peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations, to advance the current scientific knowledge on building behavioural capacity in local government for climate action.

Outcomes include a mapping of micro-, meso- and macro-level influences on introducing behavioural science principles in a complex organization, increased staff confidence in applying behavioural strategies and tools, enhanced cross-directorate collaboration, and improved communication strategies for climate-related initiatives, and an increased understanding of the economic and perceptual impact of community interventions from a consumer and business perspective.

Building Capa‑Cities exemplifies engaged research through sustained dialogue with internal and external partners, including city officials, business associations, and civil society organisations. The co‑creation of the micro‑credential ensures that learning outputs are context‑specific, scalable and embedded within organisational professional development pathways. This approach enhances the longevity and significance of impact by moving beyond pilot projects towards systemic capability building. Importantly, it creates opportunities for scaling up capacity building of public servants and local authorities beyond Cork City, thus addressing national climate priorities. External partners have acknowledged the project’s practical value, noting that research insights are applicable to climate action work and organisational change. This feedback underscores the project’s contribution to evidence‑informed governance and capacity building, addressing recognised gaps between climate ambition and delivery. Ultimately, the project contributes to positive societal impacts by empowering local authorities to develop more effective and collaborative strategies for sustainable cities and communities.

The project strongly advances UCC’s strategic priorities in teaching and learning through the development of accredited, practice‑oriented training that integrates research, experiential learning and real‑world application. It strengthens research and innovation by positioning UCC at the forefront of behavioural public administration and climate governance, generating publishable insights with international relevance.

Through deep collaboration with Cork City Council, the project enhances UCC’s external engagement and civic mission, reinforcing the university’s role as a trusted knowledge broker. Its alignment with NetZeroCities and collaboration with sister municipalities in other countries supports UCC’s internationalisation strategy, enabling transnational learning and replication. By embedding training within existing professional development systems in the future, the project creates reusable research and teaching assets.

Nationally, Building Capa‑Cities contributes to Ireland’s evolving climate action and local governance research landscape by demonstrating how behavioural science can be operationalised within the public sector. Importantly, the project provides a transferable model for other municipalities seeking to build internal capacity for sustainable transitions. By combining organisational research, community experimentation and co‑created education, the project delivers impact that is deep, scalable and enduring, supporting sustainable development well beyond the lifespan of the research itself.