Shaping change effectively – for more sustainability.

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I am convinced that a good life for everyone on this planet is possible. The knowledge to achieve this already exists—now we need to make this knowledge visible, consolidate it, and bring it into practice - together. This is exactly what I stand for with my social-ecological transformation research, event moderation, facilitation of participatory processes, and training and mentoring.

SUSTAINABILITY RESEARCHER

Conducting transdisciplinary research — transformative at the interface of science, politics, and society

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MODERATOR

Guiding events competently and appreciatively

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PROCESS FACILITATOR

Confidently and enthusiastically guiding and supporting co-creative processes

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TRAINER & MENTOR

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Passing on knowledge and many years of experience regarding content and methods

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Building bridges—
from knowledge to implementation

Sustainability research

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Over 25 years of experience in sustainability, climate, and transformation research — as a senior researcher and head of transdisciplinary projects (including Horizon Europe, ACRP Climate Fund, Joint Programming Initiative).

With this expertise, I can connect topics and people from a holistic perspective. My strength lies in weaving together sound research with the experiences and ideas of people from business, politics, and civil society — and then working together to develop concrete steps that really make a difference. This work becomes particularly vibrant for me in interdisciplinary and international teams.

I am currently working on the topic of "Just Transition" in the EU project AdJUST and the Climate and Energy Fundproject A-Levers, we are developing a handbook for creating local climate adaptation pathways.

AIn addition to the European Commission (DG Research, from FP5 to Horizon Europe), the Climate and Energy Fund (ACRP, direct awards), the FFG or JPI Urban Europe.

Information on other projects and a list of publications can be found here.

moderation

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Opening up spaces for meaningful conversations — for a sustainable world. With this goal in mind, I design, moderate, and harvest (document the results) events ranging from compact workshops to conferences lasting several days.

My approach combines a diverse repertoire of methods with the sensitivity to invite people to abandon familiar patterns of thinking without overwhelming them. Thorough preparation, crystal-clear process management, and the courage to trust my intuition create the framework for encounters that move and inspire.

This year's examples include thesymposium New Consumption Thinking - Consumer Initiativesin Austria – Diversity and Impact at the Vienna Chamber of Labor, and the meeting of the IInterdisciplinary Forum on Combating Energy Poverty.

My clients in this area are very diverse. To give you an impression, here are a few: Climate Change Center Austria, Gesundheit Österreich GmbH - Competence Center for Climate and Health, Coordination Office for Combating Energy Poverty, BMLUK, City of Villach, Climate Alliance, Province of Carinthia and Vorarlberg, Vienna University of Economics and Business, University of Art and Design Linz, FH Villach.

You can find more examples of moderation work here.

process support

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I accompany transformation processes from the initial idea to implementation on topics that shape our times: from the energy transition and climate policy to sustainable lifestyles and economic practices. These challenges are complex and often emotionally charged. That is why processes need to be accompanied in a structured, empathetic, and solution-oriented manner.

My working style is characterized by cooperation on an equal footing, inclusion, and transparency. It is important to me to involve as many people as possible — from experts and decision-makers to civil society and citizens. The transformative power of diverse groups is enormous: it produces innovative and surprising solutions that would not be possible on their own. I bring my extensive network to the table, which is an important added value for any collaboration.

Examples of processes that I have had the privilege of supporting include citizens' councils such as the Austrian Climate Assembly, the Vorarlberg Citizens' Assembly on Care Work orthe stakeholder process to prepare the 2nd Austrian Assessment Report on Climate Change. The clients here are ministries (e.g., BMK), universities (e.g., BOKU), research institutes (e.g., IIASA), the CCCA, and municipalities/regions.

Training & Mentoring

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I consider learning from and with others to be a gift. As a sparring partner and trainer at universities and research institutions, I enjoy opening up learning spaces and sharing my knowledge: How can transdisciplinary research be successful? How do research results have an impact? How does successful stakeholder involvement work?

The practice of Art of Hosting and Harvesting has been with me for many years — as an attitude and a repertoire of methods. I am constantly amazed at how it succeeds in unlocking potential. I have been able to gain this experience through training courses for organizations and groups, from the Vienna University of Economics and Business to the Lebensraum Ötztal and I am very happy to continue offering this.

Young people who are committed to creating a future worth living are particularly close to my heart. As a mentor, I support them in finding their fulfilling path — for themselves and for future generations.

A new project that is currently taking shape: Flourishing Society (an organization that aims to demonstrate and apply the many possibilities for a fulfilling life that exist).

For me, Ines Omann is a "high-level process facilitator" and I can highly recommend working with her. If I had to describe her in just a few words, I would say that Ines is "sparkling energy" for the cooperative and co-creative future that we need as a society.

Barbara Ruhsmann (ÖGUT, Vienna)
Working with Ines is characterized by appreciation, competence, reliability, and professionalism. Among other things, I value her in-depth methodological knowledge and many years of experience. She always contributes her extensive expertise in the areas of sustainability, energy transition, and climate change.

Dr. Maria Balas (climate change adaptation expert)
Ines was responsible for the overall coordination of the Austrian Climate Assembly on behalf of the BMK. Her systematic and clearly structured approach to planning and her lively, committed, and above all goal-oriented moderation made her an invaluable asset. In Austria, there are few experts as experienced as Ines, when it comes to supporting and moderating sustainability processes.

Franz Zlanabitnig MA BA (Co-coordinator of the Climate Advisory Council of the Province of Carinthia)
Our workshop brought together stakeholders from academia, practice, and institutional contexts to jointly address key issues in a research project. Ines took on the role of moderator and provided continuous process support. She works in a precise and structured manner and coordinates the necessary steps reliably and transparently. She responds to unexpected requirements in a prudent and solution-oriented manner, which made for a focused and pleasant collaboration.

Prof. Jutta Strohmeier (University of Art and Design Linz)
Working with you is characterized by great reliability, trust and valuable professional input, allowing me to concentrate fully on my content and rely on your competent, efficient, and reliable process support at all times. From the very beginning, we engage in a dialogue on equal terms, developing ideas together and structuring processes in a meaningful way. I really appreciate how efficiently you work without losing any openness or creativity.

Claudia Michl (Head of the CCCA Office)
For almost 20 years I have collaborated with Ines. We have designed and run a multitude of diverse stakeholder engagement processes, which gave me the unique opportunity to learn new approaches from her. I particularly appreciate her attention to detail in the preparation phase and the care that she takes to ensure that the process is inclusive, truly interactive, and achieves the predetermined goals. I would recommend Ines to anyone who wants a stakeholder engagement process that is prepared and run with care, enjoyable for all involved, and provides meaningful results.

Dr. Jill Jäger (Climate Scientist)

Consolidating insights, creating solutions.
With knowledge, heart, and method.

It is very important to me to contribute to the change I want to see in this world. A change that allows everyone to live a dignified, good life within the planetary boundaries. Whether in workshops, conferences, longer processes, or research projects — with expertise, reliability, clarity, and vitality.

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Breaking new ground has been a recurring theme throughout my life. At the age of ten, I decided to go to the Gymnasium (high school) — one of the first from my village in Carinthia to do so. After graduating, I couldn't find a degree program that suited my interests, so I founded Environmental Systems Science with colleagues in Graz and was the first to graduate with a major in economics in 1997. This was followed by a semester abroad in Lund, Sweden, just as Austria and Sweden joined the EU. In 2004, I was one of the first in Austria to earn a doctorate in ecological economics after studying in Leeds and Graz.

From 1998 to 2013, I worked as a research assistant at research institutes in Austria and Germany and as a university assistant in Graz. In the early 2000s, I co-founded the Sustainable Europe Research Institute —another pioneering project, and as group leader I played a key role in shaping its development until 2013.

Since 2014, I have been working as an independent researcher and moderator and work part-time at the Austrian Research Foundation for International Development (ÖFSE) on European and national projects as a senior researcher.

For more than 15 years, I have been moderating and facilitating events and processes related to transformation and sustainability. Training in methods such as Art of Hosting, Dialogue, The Circle Way, Nonviolent Communication, and Dynamic Facilitation form the basis for this work.

I find it easy to make contact and connect people, thanks in part to the large family I was born into, my curiosity, and the many wonderful people who enrich my life. I recharge my batteries in nature through sports (ski mountaineering, mountain biking, kitesurfing) and in peace and quiet through yoga, reading, and meditation.