What does an economy look like that is not purely focused on growth, but also contributes to well-being and a liveable planet?
The grants under the ‘Knowledge-in-Action’ grant scheme ‘Economic transition: the costs and benefits of doing (nothing)’ run by the Dutch Climate Research Initiative (KIN) have been awarded. Under this scheme, funding has been allocated to projects that chart a course towards a ‘post-growth’ economy centred on well-being, ecology and justice. Several researchers and projects based in Rotterdam have been awarded grants.
A key condition for award is that each project brings together the strengths and knowledge of academia and practice and operates on a co-creation basis. Projects may be visual, design-based, entrepreneurial or, conversely, highly process-oriented, reflective or activist in nature. The aim is to bring together expertise from practice and research with a shared ambition to advance the desired transition by jointly exploring interventions.
Which EUR-projects are set to begin?
Better in the Neighbourhood: Community organising as a catalyst for making owners’ associations more sustainable in Rotterdam South
R.H.J. Franken Energie van Rotterdam BV S. van der Ham (Stichting Thuismakers Collectief); L. Taks (Energie van Rotterdam BV); K. Welp (Stichting Thuismakers Collectief); drs. D.A.P. Peeters (Erasmus Universiteit Rotterdam); dr. T.J.F. Bauwens (Erasmus Universiteit Rotterdam)
Many homeowner associations in vulnerable neighborhoods struggle to renovate, not only because of a lack of financial resources or technical complexity, but also because trust is low and collective decision making is difficult. This project tests whether community organizing helps associations reach residents, build trust and make progress in renovation planning. Across 6 associations, we compare 3 cases receiving community organizing with 3 cases receiving regular support. This allows us to examine whether and how this approach leads to greater participation, stronger consensus and more ambitious renovation plans in Carnisse and similar neighborhoods.
DAZO : From One-off Grants to Cost-Saving Funding
prof. dr. T. de Moor Erasmus Universiteit Rotterdam J. Frerichs (DeBlauweWij(k)Economie); P Hoogenbosch (DeBlauweWij(k)Economie); P. Wind (Alexander Impact BV); B.C. van Veen (21 Markets BV); T. Moolenaar MA (Erasmus Universiteit Rotterdam); dr. L. Held (Erasmus Universiteit Rotterdam); dr. W.A.H. Spekkink (Erasmus Universiteit Rotterdam)
Through single-task assignments, such as landscape maintenance or energy-fixing, neighborhood enterprises create multiple values through active community power. Apart from residents, municipalities, health insurers, and housing associations also benefit from the resulting social cohesion and prevention. However, a structural financial contribution from these parties to these social benefits is currently lacking. An innovative financial mechanism that integrates various funding streams is required to provide structural funding for neighborhood enterprises while guaranteeing cost savings for the financing parties. Together with neighborhood enterprises, municipalities, housing associations, and health insurers, we are breaking down barriers and designing this mechanism for cost-avoidance financing.
Experiencing economic contraction and the loss of fossil-fuel-based comforts in the ‘House of the Future’ design
dr. ir. M Taanman GovernEUR drs. C. Vroon (Erasmus Universiteit Rotterdam); M. Smets MA(Stichting Huis van de Toekomst); drs. A. Visser (Erasmus Universiteit Rotterdam); S. Kubersky MA(Stichting Huis van de Toekomst); F. Coops (&Coops); dr. S.M. Hogervorst (Open Universiteit);
Economic transition requires letting go of fossil energy, growth, and hyperconsumption — yet this is psychologically demanding. This project by Stichting Huis van de Toekomst in Rotterdam's BoTu neighbourhood makes that loss tangible and liveable. A fully functional Future Home is being built: no gas, electricity, wifi, or money. Researchers and policymakers spend two days there as part of a human-powered energy community. The neighbourhood itself — where residents already know life with less — acts as an experiential resource. Outputs include the physical home, a documentary, and a methodological reflection on the in-residence format as a transferable research tool.
Moving up the R-ladder: A pilot project for a new contract model for circular procurement in the manufacturing industry
F. van den Elzen Erasmus Universiteit Rotterdam D. Ewen (Koninklijke Ahrend bv); P. Galgani (True Price Foundation); M.W. Appeldoorn MA MSc(True Price Foundation); C. van der Geer (True Price Foundation); T. van Daal (Erasmus Universiteit Rotterdam);
The Dutch government has ambitious circularity targets, yet its own procurement practices undermine the next step in the transition. Companies investing in circular design and refurbishment are insufficiently rewarded by the procurement structure. This project breaks that deadlock: we examine how existing practices (true pricing, circular procurement, circular business operations) reinforce each other in accelerating and guiding the transition to a circular society in general, and a sustainable circular business model in particular. Using Ahrend as a living lab, we calculate the true value of circular choices, test a new contract design, and translate the results into practical building blocks.
Food as a basic necessity, transition to a mixed economy
F. Visser Stichting Public Food L.v.B. Van Bellen (Erasmus Universiteit Rotterdam)
Healthy food is a basic necessity for everyone, not a luxury. And just as we have organized other basic needs—tap water, libraries, social housing, public transport—a new public provision is needed that makes healthy and sustainable food accessible, easy, and affordable for everyone. The starting point for this is Mensa Mensa as a working real-world example: a social place in the neighborhood where people can eat and cook. We clarify what is needed to make places like Mensa Mensa a structural part of municipal policy and budgeting, and in doing so institutionalize access to affordable healthy food nationwide.
About Knowledge-in-Action
Knowledge-in-Action grants have been developed by KIN within the ‘Knowledge-in-Action’ programme line of the KIN to mobilise academia and practice together for just climate transitions. We view transition interventions as a research method based on the principle of ‘learning by doing and doing whilst learning’. Knowledge institutions and civil society organisations can jointly submit proposals for transformative, experimental projects across various themes: which potential solutions, research questions and transition learning objectives can accelerate the desired transition?
About the Dutch Climate Research Initiative (KIN)
The Dutch Climate Research Initiative (KIN) is the hub within NWO where the knowledge needed for climate transitions flows, from science to practice and vice versa. To this end, KIN breaks down existing barriers within the (scientific) system where necessary and fosters collaboration. This way knowledge is given the opportunity to really make a difference in accelerating transitions to a climate-neutral and climateresilient future.
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