National Expertise Centre for TRansdisciplinary Working (NECTR)

Transdisciplinary working offers a solution for tackling complex transition issues in areas such as climate, health, mobility, food, the circular economy, etc. Complex transition issues require an approach that brings together the perspectives of all stakeholders and offers concrete action points. These two often exclude each other: complexity leads to paralysis, resulting in no action being taken, or the problems are simplified, resulting in symptom control and suboptimal solutions. By integrating diverse knowledge and perspectives, it is possible to gain a deeper understanding and innovative insights into urgent issues. These can form the basis for well-considered choices for the sustainable transitions with which we will shape the future together.

NECTR originated from the Community of Practice ‘Transdisciplinary working for transitions’, set up by KIN and Het Groene Brein. From there, a group of 13 organisations, encouraged by KIN, took the initiative to establish NECTR. The mission of NECTR is to mobilise knowledge for societal transitions. To this end, NECTR is building an open network in which everyone can participate. NECTR does this by promoting collaboration, knowledge sharing and recognition of transdisciplinary working and by providing a platform for knowledge exchange, training and impactful applications. The network aims to embed transdisciplinary working as a professional and recognised scientific method for tackling complex societal issues, and in doing so wants to develop a sustainable network and high-quality knowledge and skills for both scientific and societal impact. On 3 April 2025, the National Expertise Centre for Transdisciplinarity (NECTR) was launched during the EWUU Community Day in Ede. In the coming months, NECTR will develop a model for the accession of organisations and initiatives with expertise or experience in transdisciplinary working, or those actively seeking such expertise.