The Amsterdam Sustainability Institute (ASI) has received a highly positive external evaluation for the period 2019–2024, affirming its role as a driving force behind interdisciplinary sustainability research and societal engagement at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam.
Founded in 2019, ASI has developed into a dynamic interfaculty network that spans all VU faculties. The evaluation panel, appointed under the national Strategy Evaluation Protocol (SEP 2021–2027), commended ASI’s success in building bridges across disciplines and sectors, stating that ASI has made “remarkable progress in advancing interdisciplinary sustainability research” and plays a “catalytic role” in fostering collaborations that would not have emerged organically within existing faculty structures.
Key Highlights from the Evaluation
- Interdisciplinary Collaboration
ASI has created seven research clusters and supported 37 interdisciplinary projects through its Seed Money program, engaging over 150 researchers across VU. - Societal Impact
ASI has built a strong and diverse network of external partners, including local and national governments, NGOs, and private sector actors in energy, climate, education, and digital innovation. Its contributions to policy discussions—such as the Dutch Parliament’s wildfire risk report (Natuurbrandsignaal 2023)—demonstrate its growing influence in shaping sustainability policy. - Funding Success and Global Reach
ASI has helped secure over €14 million in external grants, including major European Commission and NWO projects, including the GROW project, which trains 51 PhD students (5 PhDs at VU) from Sub-Saharan Africa in collaboration with academic and societal partners. - Policy Leadership
ASI played a key role in shaping VU’s fossil-free research framework, contributing expert input and organizing stakeholder dialogues. This culminated in VU’s decision to end collaborations with fossil fuel companies misaligned with the Paris Agreement, earning the university the Green Gown Award 2024. - Public Engagement
Through initiatives like the Climate Breakdown podcast and the VU ARTSCIENCE gallery exhibition, ASI has successfully reached audiences beyond academia. The “Climate Stories for World Leaders” initiative brought together students, scientists, and writers to address COP28 with powerful narratives on climate action.
The evaluation panel praised ASI’s ability to achieve real-world impact with modest resources, calling its use of funds “highly effective.” ASI’s work has not only advanced academic collaboration but also influenced policy, supported innovation, and strengthened VU’s visibility in the national and international sustainability landscape.
Looking Ahead
To build on this success, the ASI team will continue to:
- Monitor and evaluate the impact of ASI-supported research.
- Encourage co-production with societal stakeholders from the outset of projects.
- Clarify its strategic role as both a research catalyst and producer.
- Enhance visibility within VU and among external audiences.
- Develop a five-year budget plan and explore new funding partnerships.
Evaluation summary and highlights: ASI evaluation 2019-2024 factsheet.pdf
Read the full assessment here: 2025 Amsterdam Sustainability Institute 2019-2024.pdf