Bottom-up initiatives, be it in the form of social entrepreneurship or otherwise, are increasingly taking on societal challenges. Through the joining of forces of involved citizens and developing alternate solutions, bottom-up initiatives contribute to a more open and resilient society.
The Platform Bottom-Up Initiatives for Societal Change performs interdisciplinary research on issues as:
- Which types of bottom-up initiatives exist?
- Which effect do bottom-up initiatives have on existing institutions and do these initiatives contribute to institutional change?
- How can bottom-up initiatives inspire the decision-making processes in a representative democracy, while at the same time preventing preference treatment of specific groups?
Research Day 2026 coming up! Keynote lecture by Tine De Moor
On 19 March 2026 the IOS Platform Bottom-Up Initiatives for Societal Change organises Research Day 2026!
13:30-14:30 - Entrepreneurship-Led Sustainable Development in Africa (presented by Erik Stam, Robert McDonald, Emmanuel Buadi Mensah, Christina Bidmon, and Dr. Ir. Milou Derks)
14:45-15:45 - World Café (interactive session): Building Change from the Bottom Up (Themes: citizen‑led initiatives, entrepreneurship and business, and the role of governments and intermediary organisations)
16:00-17:00 - Keynote lecture by Tine De Moor: From grassroots to governance: the maturation of citizen collectives in the Netherlands
This day promises to be an inspiring event, so make sure to save the date and do register already!
For more info on the programme and registering, visit the Research Day event page
Successful Impact Day 2025!
On 4 December 2025, over 60 practitioners and researchers convened at Utrecht University Hall (Academiegebouw), Domplein 29 in Utrecht for Impact Day 2025, an afternoon filled with inspriring sessions.
After a plenary introduction, there were various subsessions in which research results and everyday experiences of practitioners were exchanged and discussed. At the end, there was ample opportunity for networking during drinks afterwards.
For more info on the sessions ans registering, visit https://www.uu.nl/en/events/impact-day-2025
What we do...
Join our activities... ... like our annual Research Day in spring or our Impact Day in fall. Whereas the primary focus of the Research Day is on academic research, the Impact Day is specifically focused on the mutual exchange of knowledge and expertise by academics and practitioners alike
New from our societal partners... ... you will find on this webpage. Be informed about our contribution, join an event of one of our societal partners, or send us your own announcements!
Research by our platform members... ... read more about various related research projects, contact researcher affiliated with our platform, or send us your own research ideas for consultation!
Educational activities... ... both for students as well as for professionals you will find at this page. Take part in one of these unique schooling opportunities!
Open, resilient societies
The Bottom-up Initiatives for Societal Change platform forms part of the Institutions for Open Societies, the unique research expertise of Utrecht University. Institution for Open Societies is the central hub of all our research on open, resilient societies.
