In the TIC course, each thematic partner is a key “societal problem owner,” presenting a real-world challenge for students to address. These partners engage with participants at the start, middle, and end of the course, guiding students as they work towards practical solutions. Students and professionals are encouraged to consult with other stakeholders, defined as any parties affected by or able to impact the societal issue at hand, to enrich their understanding and responses to these challenges.

For the 2024/2025 academic year, our partners include:

One Health

RIVM

The Dutch National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) is dedicated to fostering a healthy population and a sustainable environment. Driven by independent research, RIVM collaborates with governmental and societal stakeholders to identify and conduct essential studies, offering scientifically grounded advice to the government, professionals, and the public. RIVM’s work spans diverse health and environmental issues, contributing to the well-being and safety of society.

Transitiecoalitie Voedsel (TcV)

Transitiecoalitie Voedsel is a network organization uniting Dutch leaders in agriculture, food, nature, and health. TcV acts as a catalyst for a sustainable agricultural and food system, working with partners to address elements of the transition agenda. Grounded in transition theory, TcV promotes systematic steps toward advancing sustainable practices within food production and distribution.

Humans on the Move

Stichting Vluchteling

Stichting Vluchteling provides life-saving aid to those affected by conflict, violence, and natural disasters. Beyond immediate relief, the organization supports communities in developing sustainable solutions, empowering individuals to secure a better future. Stichting Vluchteling’s aid is inclusive, supporting refugees, displaced people, and returnees without regard to religion, political beliefs, ethnicity, nationality, gender, or sexual orientation.

Investing in the Future

Triodos Bank     Deep Transitions Lab   

The Investing in the Future track will see students work with the Deep Transitions Lab and their network of leading partners such as Triodos Bank, the CO Platform, The Good Investors, and Caspian. The Lab is a pioneering research and experimentation hub dedicated to reshaping the financial system through transformative investment—investing in systems change to drive a sustainable and equitable future. As a unique collaborative space, the Lab aims to create a niche around Transformative Investment – a new approach embedding the leading edge of academic insights around systems change into the financial system.

Green Teens

Commonland

Degraded landscapes pose significant challenges, including climate change, biodiversity loss, and food insecurity. Commonland aims to address these issues by restoring 100 million hectares of degraded land by 2040. Their 4 Returns framework focuses on delivering inspiration, revitalizing communities, restoring biodiversity, and generating sustainable income through new business models.

In past years we have collaborated with the following thematic partners:

For the former thematic focus area Drowning Delta’s:

• Waternet (thematic partner in 2021 & 2022)
• Agenda IJsselmeergebied 2050 (thematic partner in 2021)

For the former thematic focus area Contesting Governance:

• The Netherlands Institute for Human Rights (thematic partner in 2022)
• Amnesty International (thematic partner in 2021)

For Green Teens:

• Oxfam-Novib (thematic partner in 2021 & 2022)
• Eco-Schools (thematic partner in 2021)
• Green Office Utrecht University (thematic partner in 2021)

For the former thematic focus area ‘Responsible Foods’:

• TastyBasics (thematic partner in 2022)