Contemporary knowledge production is characterised by the inclusion of a multitude of participants in the research process. Considering environmental issues this is also necessary to be able to reach solutions to these issues. This paper discusses three cases of cross-sector collaboration where interactive research was used. It was shown that interactive research can facilitate the interaction between the abstract issue in the research system and actual action in the research system. This was mainly done by creating collaborative spaces in the form of dialogue arenas which are discussion forums initiated by the interactive researcher. Here the abstract issue can be discussed on a level of practice which makes it easier to comprehend and paves the road for action among the participants.