Building a circular society

The Nationale DenkTank will focus on the transition to a circular society from 2024 to 2026. Twenty students from various educational backgrounds, ranging from vocational (MBO) to academic (WO), worked on this theme. The program consists of three phases: analysis, solutions, and implementation.

The central question was: 'How can we connect government, businesses, civil society organizations, and citizens to seize opportunities for a circular society? To answer this, we started with the analysis phase. In this phase, we examined bottlenecks in sustainability and circularity across four sectors: construction and housing, healthcare and hospitals, consumer behavior and furniture, and the electronics chain,' Joost explains. 'Together, we came up with 375 ideas, which we narrowed down to six to eight concrete solutions.'

Joost worked in a team of four students on the solution phase, focusing on the initiative “actienemers." 'With "Actienemers", we’re developing a training program in collaboration with knowledge partners, aimed at young professionals within organizations. Through expert-led workshops, they learn about circularity in their sector, relevant legislation, and how to create and execute actionable plans,' Joost explains. 'The goal is to provide every young professional in the Netherlands with a solid foundation in sustainability so they can make a lasting impact throughout their careers.'

From studies to societal impact

The skills Joost developed during his studies proved invaluable. 'At VU Amsterdam, I learned to think analytically, structure my ideas, and express myself clearly, both verbally and in writing. All of that came together at the DenkTank,' he says. 'VU Amsterdam also encouraged me to take responsibility and show initiative, which are central values in the DenkTank as well.'

VU also supports Joost in combining his studies with his work at the DenkTank. 'I’m currently exploring whether I can connect my master’s thesis to my work here. It’s great that VU is so proactive in thinking along with me.'

Inspiration through collaboration

For Joost, working with participants from diverse backgrounds was one of the most inspiring aspects. 'We collaborated with students from vocational, applied sciences, and academic education. This brought very diverse perspectives to the table. As a lawyer, I tend to focus on structure, policy, and regulations, while others contributed technical or creative viewpoints. It really broadened my perspective,' he says.

The DenkTank’s workshops were also a valuable addition. 'I attended sessions on design thinking, stakeholder management, and presentation skills. These practical tools complemented the academic knowledge I gained at VU perfectly.'

A highlight for Joost was presenting the analysis phase results to a room full of experts. 'It was quite nerve-wracking to stand in front of more than a hundred people, but the positive feedback was incredibly motivating. It made me feel that our work truly has an impact.'