The Klimaatonderzoek Initiatief Nederland (KIN) is taking an important step to accelerate regional climate transitions. By launching a pilot for ‘KIN Hubs’, we are working together with knowledge institutions and partners to explore how transition-oriented and transformative approaches can be structurally embedded in the way we work and conduct research, in order to strengthen regional transition capacity. These KIN Hubs form regional nodes where knowledge, policy and practice come together to address just climate challenges at the regional level and to exchange the knowledge gained nationally.
Why KIN Hubs?
The transition towards a climate-resilient and just future requires a sustainable scientific practice in which collaboration between different actors is central. A practice that values different forms of knowledge and fully embraces and supports transition thinking. KIN is convinced that an additional impulse, methodological support and connections with national knowledge infrastructures can strengthen the effectiveness of regional initiatives. In this way, valuable local insights can be better utilised and expertise to support transitions can be systematically developed.
With the KIN Hubs, we are putting this conviction into practice, in collaboration with various partners, by creating physical and organisational spaces that strengthen regional collaboration, bring knowledge together and build transition capacity.
A KIN Hub:
- Connects science, policy and practice in a regional network.
- Builds capacity for transition-oriented and transdisciplinary work through training and methodological support.
- Disseminates and unlocks knowledge and successful approaches to accelerate regional and national transitions.
Together, the KIN Hubs form a learning and translocal network in which local lessons are shared and scaled up, and national coordination is strengthened. In this way, a strong infrastructure for just climate transitions emerges.
The pilot phase
For the 2026 pilot, five KIN Hubs have been selected through a tender process:
- Amsterdam (UvA, VU, AMS, HvA)
- Nijmegen/Arnhem (Radboud Center for Sustainability Challenges in collaboration with HAN)
- Twente (UT Climate Center)
- Wageningen (Climate Center in development)
- Zeeland (Delta Climate Center)
The aim is to jointly develop a training programme, a governance structure and a long-term strategy. KIN will also closely involve climate centres that are not yet part of the pilot programme.
We look forward to the collaboration and to accelerating climate transitions together — regionally as well.
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