Amsterdam InChange

Summer wouldn’t be complete without our annual Innovative Summer tips! This season, soak up the sunshine and get inspired by everything the city has to offer. From exploring the future of energy to dancing on a science museum rooftop, Amsterdam is bursting with opportunities to experience innovation, sustainability, and creativity. Here are six highlights from Amsterdam InChange to help make your summer not just memorable, but also meaningful.

1. Kwaku Festival x Innofest

Innofest is teaming up with Kwaku Festival to turn the festival atmosphere into a testing ground for sustainable innovations. For four weeks, Kwaku brings together music, dance, art, and food rooted in the Surinamese community and enriched by influences from the Caribbean, Africa, and beyond. This summer, Innofest will be testing two of its innovations live at the festival. Curious to find out which ones? Check them out on their website.

More info

2. SAIL Amsterdam

Experience history and the future on open water. Every five years, the world’s largest tall ships dock in Amsterdam for SAIL: a celebration of maritime heritage and innovation. Due to COVID, it’s now been ten years since the last edition. In August 2025, SAIL returns not only with beautiful ships but also with important themes like the energy transition and green logistics.

More info

3. Music on the Roof of NEMO

Spend your summer evenings on NEMO’s rooftop, where live music meets stunning city views and a dose of science. The rooftop becomes a spot for concerts, interactive exhibits, and inspiring ideas around energy and sustainability. A good mix of culture, curiosity, and summer vibes.

More info

4. Climate festival at De Hortus

Get active in the climate conversation. Set in the lush botanical gardens of De Hortus, the Climate festival offers workshops, talks, and art installations focused on climate change and ecological resilience. It's a moment to reconnect with nature and find actionable hope.

More info

5. Waag Open: Energy of the Future

Reimagine how we power our lives. Hosted by Waag Futurelab, this edition of Waag Open explores the future of energy. You'll go on an excursion to the Buiksloterham neighborhood, where all aspects of the energy transition come to life. Discover how deep the boreholes for thermal energy storage go, and learn exactly where the heat for the district heating system comes from.

More info

6. The Digital Fabric of Political Violence

Discover how technology shapes conflict. At Pakhuis de Zwijger, this event explores how digital tools and social platforms contribute to modern political violence. Through research and open dialogue, you’ll learn more about the intersection of tech, power, and resistance.

More info

Do you have any other interesting tips? Share them below!

Met trots presenteren we het jaarverslag 2024 van Amsterdam InChange!

We kijken terug op een bijzonder jaar waarin we niet alleen onze programmaonderdelen verder hebben versterkt, maar ook succesvol de transitie hebben gemaakt naar onze nieuwe naam en branding. Daarnaast hebben we nieuwe vraagstukken opgepakt en onze Challenge-aanpak verder ontwikkeld — lerend door te doen, samen met onze partners.

Het samenstellen van dit verslag is elk jaar weer een feest. De verzamelde Challenges en bijgevoegde verslagen laten zien hoe we samen bouwen aan een rijke, diverse broedplaats: een tussenruimte waar innovatie tot bloei komt.

In dit jaarverslag lees je meer over de Challenges van afgelopen jaar, de events die we organiseerden, en de thema’s die we als netwerk verkenden tijdens kennissessies, werksessies, deepdives en Data Dilemma’s.

Hieronder vind je alvast de highlights. Wil je meer weten? Lees dan hier het volledige jaarverslag 2024.

Highlights

• Nieuwe naam en branding gelanceerd: De officiële introductie van onze nieuwe naam Amsterdam InChange, samen met vernieuwde branding en een frisse visie voor de toekomst.
• 15-jarig jubileum: Ons 15-jarig bestaan gevierd in Ruigoord, samen met ons partnernetwerk en community leden.
• ATELIER verbonden aan ons netwerk: Het Europese ATELIER-project is officieel opgenomen in het netwerk van Amsterdam InChange.
• Mentorstad op internationaal niveau: Een fysiek internationaal programma gehost als onderdeel van het ICC Programma, waarin we onze rol als mentorstad hebben versterkt.
• Challenges opgepakt: Naast diverse andere vraagstukken hebben we ons structureel gericht op belangrijke thema’s zoals mobiliteitsrechtvaardigheid, zero-emissiezones, laadpleinen, circulaire laadinfrastructuur, de coöperatieve metropool, de ondergrond en nutshubs.
• Europese aanvraag Nutshubs: Met een consortium een aanvraag ingediend om de ontwikkeling van Nutshubs mogelijk te maken.
• Data Dilemma’s: Eén van de Data Dilemma’s events in samenwerking met onze partner Hieroo georganiseerd en gehost.
• Interdisciplinaire afstudeerkring: Een primeur! De eerste interdisciplinaire afstudeerkring begeleid in samenwerking met de HvA en de Provincie Noord-Holland.
• 49 delegaties ontvangen: Ook dit jaar hebben we weer groepen van over de hele wereld verwelkomd om meer te vertellen over Amsterdam InChange, het netwerk, en innovatieprojecten uit de regio.

On June 5th, we were welcomed at the Huis van de Toekomst (House of the Future) in Amsterdam South-east for our 28th Knowledge and Demoday! Former Amsterdam Smart City director Leonie van den Beuken hosted the event. It was a day full of enthusiasm, positive energy, and fresh insights.

In this article, we’ll give you a quick overview of the Knowledge Session, Work Sessions, and Pitches. Want to dive deeper? Read the full reports by our team members Noor, Pelle and Jill (linked below).

About our Demo Days

Demo Days are one of the key tools we use to stimulate innovation and foster connections between our partners and the broader community. The purpose is to showcase the progress of various innovation projects, ask for support, share challenges, and engage more partners to help take these projects to the next level. More information about the Demo Days can be found here.

Knowledge Session: Behavioural Change

Behavioural scientist Reint Jan Renes (Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences) delivered an inspiring session on behavioural change. Why do people, despite good intentions and awareness, continue unsustainable practices? And what does it really take to achieve lasting behavioural change, especially among more affluent groups? Read Jill’s full report here.

Work Sessions

Circular | Designing for Circularity in the Port of Amsterdam
This session addressed one of the key challenges of the circular transition: how can we make the Port of Amsterdam fully circular? The City of Amsterdam has set an ambitious goal to become fully circular by 2050. A transformation that includes the port. Achieving this will require deep collaboration and innovation. Read Noor’s full report here.

Mobility | From Policy to Practice: Inclusive Design Ambitions of the Amsterdam Transport Authority
Together with a diverse group of network partners, we explored inclusive design in mobility projects. Inclusive mobility is a key theme in regional policy, based on the idea that everyone — regardless of age, income, disability, gender, or background — should be able to travel safely and comfortably. This session aimed to co-create an initial action plan for implementing inclusive design principles in mobility. Read Pelle’s full report here.

Energy | How to Keep Our Mechanics on the Move?
This session focused on a major challenge in the energy transition: grid congestion, and specifically, how to ensure grid maintenance workers can continue operating effectively. Alliander’s Operation 2.0 team is exploring innovative ways to work smarter, faster, and more flexibly to keep up with the demands of the transition. Read Noor’s full report here.

Digital | Transformation Canvas
In the Digital work session, the spotlight was on the Transformation Canvas: a powerful tool to turn complex societal challenges into actionable strategies. Ocean Conijn from the Digital Society School guided participants through the framework, using the example of how data could support healthier eating habits among students. Read Jill’s full report here.

Pitches

We also featured a series of inspiring pitches from innovators within our network. Here's a quick look at the topics presented:

• Gocimo – Electric scooters with a smart battery-swapping system
• Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences – Design-based research into Civic Protocol Economies
• Interdisciplinary Graduation Group | Zero Emission Urban Logistics – Research outcomes
• VU Amsterdam Students – Living, Learning Networks in Motion
• Energy Lab Southeast | LIFE Project

During Demoday #28, we focused on one of the key challenges in the circular transition: how can we make the Port of Amsterdam fully circular?

The Amsterdam port is one of the largest in Europe. It functions as a major energy hub, where fossil fuels still play a central role, and as an industrial hub, where massive flows of raw materials pass through. The City of Amsterdam has set the ambitious goal of becoming fully circular by 2050. This means the port must transform as well. This is a complex and far-reaching task that requires collaboration and innovation.

In this work session, we zoomed in on circular design: how can we make products and processes circular from start to finish?

A closer look at the port

James Hallworth, Commercial Manager at Port of Amsterdam, opened the session by taking the group on a tour through the world of the port. Located in the western harbour area, the port has two main responsibilities. First, it ensures the smooth and safe handling of all maritime traffic on behalf of the City of Amsterdam. Second, it manages and develops the land and industrial areas around the harbour.

To tackle circularity, Port of Amsterdam applies industrial ecosystem thinking. In nature, waste does not exist, and the same principle should apply here. The port aims to build collaborative networks between companies, where waste flows from one company becomes raw materials for another. There is already significant activity around recycling and recovery, but more can be done in higher-value strategies on the R-ladder, such as repurposing, remanufacturing, and refurbishment. Circular by design is a key concept in this shift.

The port is transitioning from measuring success in tons to measuring added value. This shift also means thinking differently about space: circular systems require space to receive, process, and recover valuable materials from waste streams.

Getting hands-on with circular design

Creating a fully circular production process is easier said than done. That’s why we worked through two real-world cases: construction materials and e-bikes. Participants split into groups and explored what a truly circular production process might look like. We also explored the potential role the port could play as an enabler of circular supply chains.

Some key takeaways from the session:

• Material passports: A digital document containing material properties and origin can greatly simplify recycling and reuse.
• Monomaterials: Products made from a single type of material are much easier to separate and recycle at the end of life.
• Smart synergies: Mapping which companies can use each other’s waste flows as input can unlock huge circular potential.
• Financial incentives: Right now, circular processes are often more expensive than linear ones. Smart financial mechanisms could help bridge that gap.
• E-bike challenges: In the case of e-bikes, batteries were flagged as a challenge. Recycling them is still very difficult, and since they are mostly produced outside of Europe, it’s hard to have control over the production process.

This session invited participants to take a step back and view products through a circular lens. The port has the potential to become a key player in the circular transition, but to get there, it will need ideas, insights, and input from across the network.

<strong>Do you have ideas on how the Port of Amsterdam can become more circular? Or would you like to contribute to future sessions? Get in touch with Noor at noor@amsterdaminchange.com. A big thank you to James Hallworth from Port of Amsterdam for bringing this challenge to the network, and Yanti Slaats (Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences) for moderating the session.</strong>

On the 5th of June, during the 28th Knowledge and Demo Day, we explored the topic of Inclusive Design in the context of mobility projects together with a diverse group of network partners. Iris Ruysch introduced the theme on behalf of the Amsterdam Transport Authority (Vervoerregio), while David Koop and Lotte de Wolde from our knowledge partner Flatland facilitated the session format, moderation and visual notes.

The ambition of the Amsterdam Transport Authority

The Amsterdam Transport Authority is responsible for public transport across fourteen municipalities in the region and is working towards a mobility system that enables people to travel quickly, safely and comfortably by public transport, bicycle or car. In addition to organising and funding public transport and investing in infrastructure, the Authority actively contributes to broader societal goals such as sustainability, health and inclusivity.

Inclusive mobility is one of the key themes within the wider mobility policy. The central principle is that everyone – regardless of age, income, disability, gender or background – should be able to travel well and comfortably throughout the region. This calls for a mobility system that is accessible, affordable, appropriate, socially safe and welcoming.

The aim of the session on 5 June was to work with the network towards an initial action plan for applying inclusive design principles in mobility projects. Iris is keen to ensure that the ambitions around inclusivity are not only stated in policy and vision documents but are truly embedded in the organisation – from policymakers to implementation teams.

Session set-up

After an introduction by Iris on the context and ambitions within the Transport Authority, we got to work. In small groups, participants explored the profile of the implementing civil servant (using a persona canvas) and considered desirable changes in approach; in terms of attitude, skills and collaboration.

We then used the Inclusive Design Wheel to examine how existing programme components of the Authority could be made more inclusive. In pairs, we tackled themes such as accessible travel information, social safety at stations (specifically for women), and improving bicycle parking facilities.

The Inclusive Design Wheel is an iterative process model that supports the structural integration of inclusivity into design and policy projects. The model emphasises collaboration, repetition, and continuous learning. It consists of four phases:

1. Explore: Gather insights about users, their needs, and potential exclusion.
2. Create: Develop ideas, concepts, and prototypes that address inclusive needs.
3. Evaluate: Test whether the designs are inclusive, collect feedback, and make improvements where necessary.
4. Manage: Ensure shared understanding, set goals, engage stakeholders, and embed the process.

Outcomes and insights

While the persona profiles were being developed, I observed the group discussions and noted several important insights to take forward in the development of the action plan:

• Awareness and concrete translation: Implementation teams often already have an intrinsic motivation to contribute to inclusivity goals set in policy. However, they may not always realise how their day-to-day work can support those goals. It’s important to continuously ask the question ‘How, exactly?’. Tools like checklists, templates and practical examples can support this translation from policy to practice.
• Flexible guidelines and not ‘extra work’: Given the differences in scale, pace and content of projects, guidelines need to be flexible. There must also be sufficient room in terms of time and budget. Most importantly, these guidelines and action plans should feel supportive, not like extra rules or bureaucracy. Too many rigid frameworks can backfire.
• Interaction between policy and implementation: There is a need for more two-way communication. Implementation teams want to be involved early in policy development, especially when they will be the ones carrying it out. They also want opportunities to reflect with policymakers on whether policy is being implemented as intended. This allows for timely feedback and course-correction based on real-world experience.
• An Inclusive Design mindset: Beyond sharpened policy documents and a stronger focus on the end user, Inclusive Design also requires a mindset – one that is inquisitive and reflective. Embedding this within the organisational culture will require more than just an action plan.

What’s next

Iris collected valuable input to kick-start the development of the action plan, and participants gained a better understanding of the Amsterdam Transport Authority, the principles of Inclusive Design, and what it takes to move from policy to implementation. This summer, a trainee will start at the Transport Authority to further develop this topic and the action plan. The session, this report, and Flatland’s visual notes provide a strong foundation to build on. We’ll be meeting with Iris and David to explore how we can support this follow-up.

Would you like to learn more about any of the topics or developments mentioned in this report? Feel free to email pelle@amsterdaminchange.com.

On the 5th of July, during Demoday #28, we zoomed in on one of the pressing challenges facing the energy transition: grid congestion, and more specifically, how to keep the people who maintain the grid moving efficiently.

Grid congestion is a serious and growing concern for grid operator Alliander. It is therefore essential to speed up the grid reinforcement as much as possible. Alliander’s Operation 2.0 team is exploring innovative ways to work smarter, faster, and more flexibly to keep pace with these developments.

Their efforts focus on three tracks:

• Alleviating staff shortages by training office employees to occasionally support fieldwork.
• Exploring technologies like advanced ground radar to get better insights into underground assets.
• Improving the logistics of supplying mechanics to ensure they have the right tools, in the right place, at the right time.

This last track was the main focus of our work session.

Inefficient supply of mechanics

Logistics experiences show that mechanics collect materials inefficiently when supplying their vans and jobs, resulting in stock corrections, less control over stock, unnecessary work for logistics staff, and valuable mechanic hours being lost, which leads to less execution work. A few key problems stood out:

• Supplies are scanned inconsistently, so the system doesn’t reflect what is actually in stock.
• Every van is different, with a custom layout that suits the preferences of its mechanic.
• The work itself is unpredictable, which makes standardised restocking difficult.
• With a transition to smaller electric vans, space is becoming even more limited.

A simple optimisation of the process is not enough, especially without considering the human element. For many mechanics, a visit to the supply centre is more than just logistics. It is a moment of connection, a short break from the road, or simply a chance for a good coffee.

Ideas from the network

In groups of four, we brainstormed creative ideas to improve the supply of Alliander vans while keeping the needs and routines of mechanics in mind.

Some highlights:

• Peer-to-peer van inspiration: Let mechanics share the layout of their vans with colleagues. They can exchange best practices and take pride in an efficient setup. Adding a bit of gamification might boost motivation even more.
• A mobile supply service: A supply van could drive around to restock mechanic vans, reducing the need to visit the supply centre. However, this might remove the social element of taking a break with colleagues.
• Smarter routing: Track the location of mechanics only in relation to nearby grid faults. This way, the closest available mechanic can respond without feeling like their movements are constantly being monitored.
• Package-based resupply: Inspired by delivery service Picnic, mechanics could exchange complete “supply packages” instead of picking out materials individually. Collaborating with wholesale suppliers could reveal more useful insights.
• Automatic stock tracking: Tag all materials with RFID chips and use sensors installed in the door of the van to register what is removed from the van. This eliminates the need for manual scanning and reduces the chance of mistakes.

Do you have a bright idea to improve how mechanics work? Let us know in the comments or send a message to Noor at noor@amsterdaminchange.com.
A big thank you to Thomas Hoekstra and Iris van der Zanden from Alliander for bringing this challenge to the network, and to Chantal Inia from Royal HaskoningDHV for moderating the session.

At the 28th Knowledge and Demo Day on July 5, the ‘Digital’ workshop focused on the Transformation Canvas: a powerful tool for translating complex societal challenges into actionable strategies for change. Ocean Conijn from the Digital Society School guided participants through the framework, using the question of how data can support healthier eating habits among students as a real-world case study.

What is the Transformation Canvas?

The Transformation Canvas helps teams and organisations break down societal or systemic issues into five essential components:

1. Situation – What is the current context?
2. Transformation – What does the desired change look like?
3. Outcome – What are the best- and worst-case scenarios?
4. Change – What shift do we want to see (from – to)?
5. Research Question – What is the central question?

This structure provided a clear framework during the session, where participants worked on a self-selected case study.

From Supermarket Data to Behavioural Change

The session began with a participant's question: supermarkets hold valuable data on purchasing behaviour but don’t share it due to commercial interests. How can we shift this mindset?

As the discussion progressed, the focus shifted from “What do we want to know?” to a more fundamental question: “Why do we want to know it?” Students often eat unhealthy when they are at school. The central challenge became: how do we break this pattern using both data and behavioural insights?

What Did We See?

Current Situation:
• Supermarkets hold crucial data on eating behaviour.
• Municipalities want to use this data to shape health policies.
• But there are concerns around privacy, ownership, and commercial interests.

Desired Transformation:
• Not just access to data, but a shared sense of urgency among all stakeholders.
• Healthy eating becomes a natural part of daily life (for students and companies).
Scenarios: From Worst to Best Case

Worst case:
• No access to usable data
• Increasing resistance from businesses
• Poor representation among participants
• Data turns out to be unreliable or incomplete

Best case:
• Open and secure data sharing
• Real behavioural change among students
• Supermarkets adapt their product offerings
• Companies take the initiative in the food transition

From Idea to Action: Creative Solutions

Participants were challenged to imagine solutions they could start building tomorrow. Some ideas included:
• “Snack Rehab Clinic” – A playful but serious intervention where individuals gain awareness of their eating behaviour and voluntarily share data to break habits.
• Collaboration with supermarkets like Albert Heijn via the Bonus app – By using personal purchase data, users could be ‘nudged’ toward healthier choices, with transparency and rewards at the core.

There wasn’t enough time during the workshop to complete the entire canvas, but participants got a preview of how the tool works in practice. Are you curious about the Transformation Canvas or interested in using it in your own work? Send us a message, and we’ll connect you with Ocean from the Digital Society School.

Why do people, despite good intentions and awareness, continue to engage in unsustainable behaviour? And what does it really take to bring about lasting behavioural change — especially among affluent groups? These questions were central to an inspiring session by behavioural scientist Reint Jan Renes (Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences) at our 28th Knowledge and Demo Day.

Record-breaking heat, floods, avalanches, and prolonged droughts — alarming news stories bombard us daily. The planet is in crisis. And yet, we continue with behaviours that harm the climate and increase our ecological footprint.

Why don’t we change?

Over 75% of Dutch citizens regularly express significant concern about climate change. Yet these concerns rarely translate into real, lasting behavioural shifts. The climate is changing—so why aren’t we?

“Many people agree that ‘something’ needs to be done about climate change,” says Reint Jan Renes. “But that willingness drops sharply the moment plans become concrete.” Few are prepared to take real responsibility. This leads to a growing gap between words and actions.

Who should act? We should!

The richest 10% of the global population is responsible for roughly half of all CO₂ emissions. Meanwhile, the poorest 50% contribute just 8%. So the responsibility falls squarely on us—to address the problems we have helped create.

Yet we don’t act. We feel entitled to behaviours that heavily burden the climate: eating meat daily, regularly buying new clothes or gadgets, taking frequent flights. We know it’s harmful to the planet—and we do it anyway. Why?

Coping strategies

We’re remarkably good at justifying our actions: “What difference does one time make?” Or: “Everyone else is doing it.” “My neighbour is much worse than I am.” “I already do some good things—don’t expect me to do more.” And: “Scientists keep changing their minds. I read somewhere it’s not that bad after all.”

Sound familiar? Then you’ve likely used some of these coping strategies too.

This lack of personal ownership leads to a “steady state”—a status quo in which everyone looks to someone else to take the first step. Many believe governments should lead, since they have the authority to initiate and enforce change. But research shows that governments often take a surprisingly passive role in social transitions.

Speak up and be visible

So what does help? People are more inclined to adopt sustainable behaviour when they hear about the concrete actions others are taking. Do you eat (less) meat? Take your bike or public transport? Talk about it positively. Start conversations about climate-harmful behaviours.

Make your actions visible. This has an even greater impact when individuals and organisations regularly appear in the media. It helps correct the false belief that few people care about the climate—or that you're among a rare few making an effort.

Talking openly about climate-positive behaviour is crucial for shifting social norms. Demonstrating it in everyday life is inspiring. Both can act as powerful drivers to accelerate the transition. And that’s vital. Especially in light of another research finding: Climate-friendly behaviour makes us happier.