On 28 May, Green Labs NL and NWO brought together a vibrant and diverse community of changemakers. More than 200 participants in Amsterdam, over 80 across satellite locations (Utrecht, London, Ghent, Heidelberg, Klosterneuburg), and 130 online participants joined forces — demonstrating a more sustainable way to collaborate and connect. For KIN a great opportunity to hear directly from the community
From the outset, one message stood out: Small, connected actions can create powerful change.
Throughout the day, researchers, students, professionals, policymakers, and funders exchanged ideas, built new connections, and highlighted initiatives already driving progress. Whether discussing emerging technologies, social innovation, or policy, a key insight resonated:
Sustainability is not only a technical challenge — it is also a social one.
It requires collaboration, a shared language, and space for diverse perspectives.
Seeds for Change
The festival also celebrated ongoing efforts, captured in the Seeds for Change – Sustainability in Action booklet, featuring 59 inspiring initiatives that showcase sustainability in practice.
Key takeaways:
• Real transition starts with people — connections turn ideas into action
• Small steps matter — momentum builds over time
• Tackling environmental impact (especially Scope 3 emissions) requires system-wide collaboration
• Communication and inclusivity are critical to successful transitions
Joining efforts and combining meetings
In the lead-up to the festival, NWO — together with its institutes CWI and Nikhef — was honoured to host expert group meetings of the OECD and Science Europe on greening science. These exchanges strengthened international collaboration and ambition.
The insights from these meetings, combined with the energy and ideas from the festival, fed directly into the follow-up discussion on 29 May, focusing on the role of funders in driving sustainable change. Together, we explored practical tools (such as SparkHub), stakeholder alignment, and how funders can embed sustainability into their processes.
Read the full report on the website of Green Labs.