The uneven distribution of risks and rewards in multi-level mission-oriented green industrial policies

Given the dearth of multi-level approaches in mission studies, we investigate the interplay between supranational mission-oriented industrial policies and local-level mission implementation. Interviewing local stakeholders involved in two gigafactory projects, we show how municipalities position themselves as attractive sites for mission-aligned investment, tailoring public investment, land use policies and public-private partnerships accordingly. Although mission-led policies have catalysed gigafactory investments, lacking state coordination has led to strained municipal finances. The capacity of municipalities to engage with mission-oriented industrial policies depends heavily on their legal autonomy, fiscal resources and administrative capacity – factors that vary significantly across multi-level governance systems.