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?
Impact Day 2025 is approaching, make sure to be there!
Impact Day 2025 is approaching! On 4 December 2025, we will meet each other at Utrecht University Hall (Academiegebouw), Domplein 29 in Utrecht for an afternoon filled with inspriring sessions. Make sure to be there!
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.
