Utilization of research knowledge in sustainable development pathways: Insights from a transdisciplinary research-for-development programme

•Non-linear stages of knowledge utilization are useful indicators for impact pathways from transdisciplinary research.•It is possible to assess non-linear stages of utilization of knowledge from early stages of transdisciplinary research.•Co-created knowledge is used simultaneously in science and policy-making and in a continuum of geographic scales.•We found preliminary evidence about the process of co-creation of knowledge as empowerment tool.