ESC receives renewed funding after four years

The Expertisenetwork Systemic Co-design (ESC) has once again received SPRONG funding from the SIA Coordination Body. The four-year grant is intended for the second phase of a total of eight years of support. This will enable the network of four universities of applied sciences and practice partners to deepen their methodological knowledge of Systemic Co-Design as an approach to transitions. The impact made by the network during the first four years was celebrated during the ESConference from 11 to 13 February in Amsterdam.

No one can solve complex social challenges such as sustainability, digitisation and healthcare on their own. It requires a collective effort from all relevant parties. But it also requires a systemic view of how to change these systems. This is what Systemic Co-Design is all about: designing together for systemic change.

Four universities of applied sciences and their partners
‘In 2022, ESC started with a grant from the SIA to learn more about the theory and application of Systemic Co-Design,’ says Wina Smeenk, lecturer in Societal Impact Design at Inholland University of Applied Sciences and chair of ESC. ‘Initially, the focus was mainly on setting up the network between the design departments of the four collaborating universities of applied sciences: The Hague University of Applied Sciences, Utrecht University of Applied Sciences, Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences and Inholland University of Applied Sciences. How can we exchange knowledge and people and form a learning community together with our partners, such as municipalities and creative agencies?’

‘We have developed a well-functioning programme and have a proactive programme team in place.’ – Wina Smeenk, ESChair and lecturer in Societal Impact Design, Inholland University of Applied Sciences

Well-functioning programme
The expertise network has achieved a great deal over the past four years. ‘Through our work, we have developed a well-functioning programme and established a proactive programme team,’ says Wina. “The programme consists of various programme lines, such as closed peer review sessions, known as ESCapades. In these sessions, a lecturer and a practice partner delve into a current issue. There are also ESCalators: bi-monthly learning network meetings with several researchers and one or more practice partners and the public. Twice a year, we organise ESConferences involving all research groups, many partners, agencies and industry organisations.”

Knowledge about systemic co-design
ESC has become a vibrant network and is therefore fully in line with the objective of the SPRONG grant to form a strong collaboration across the boundaries of universities of applied sciences. Significant progress has also been made in terms of content. Four years ago, systemic co-design was still a new concept, but it has now taken root as an approach to tackling all kinds of social issues. ‘Through various projects on themes such as safety, sustainable entrepreneurship and digital inclusion, we have learned a lot, for example the importance of investing in trust and relationships in advance,’ says Wina. “There is a Systemic Co-Design framework. This consists of the competencies for Systemic Co-Design: appreciating different perspectives, recognising and acknowledging relationships, exploring system boundaries and understanding emergence. We publish information about our Systemic Co-Design methodologies and knowledge products on our ESC website, which change professionals can use.”

Further developing knowledge products of partners
ESC also wants to make better use of and further develop the expertise and experience of creative agencies within the network. Through an open call (the ESCall), creative partners were able to reflect on their own knowledge products from their practice and further develop them. This resulted in the ESCall book. To conclude, the network published the ESC trilogy at the ESC conference in Pakhuis de Zwijger, which also includes the ESCollab book (ESC & research) and ESCuela book (ESC & education).

‘The ESC network gives me access to existing and new knowledge and connects me with people who do the same work.’ – Iskander Smit, Cities of Things

Robots in cities
Iskander Smit of Cities of Things responded to the ESCall last year. ‘The question is what it means when, in the near future, we will be living in cities alongside intelligent objects, such as robots that deliver parcels, collect rubbish or clean the streets.’ With the Wijkbot – developed in collaboration with Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences – residents can assign functions to city robots themselves. ‘But in workshops, the ideas remained superficial. For me, it’s not about designing cute robots, but about exploring deeper systemic issues. Thanks to the ESCall and the collaboration with the ESC network, that depth is now there and the Neighbourhood Bot has been further developed into the Robo-Perspectives Toolkit. In a number of manageable steps, we identify dilemmas, explore possibilities, design interactions and make ideas tangible through prototyping.’

Importance of the ESC network
Iskander is happy to collaborate in the ESC network. ‘It is a platform for accessing existing and new knowledge and connecting with people who share the same approach. Systemic Co-Design is an important development for our field. We need to think beyond the immediate functions, with systemic impact as the starting point for design.’

ESCuela programme
The ESC network generates knowledge that also benefits education and teachers. Part of the network is the ESCuela programme, which provides for a structural exchange of knowledge and people between the participating universities of applied sciences. One concrete outcome is the basic training course in Systemic Co-Design, which is being launched this year for any professional who wants to tackle social issues. Lenny van Onselen is a researcher at the Co-Design research group at Utrecht University of Applied Sciences and knowledge director at ESCuela. ‘The ESCuela book contains some great results of ESC for education. Think of the place that Systemic Co-Design has been given in our university’s existing Co-Design minor. Or how lecturers and students at Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences are using the Co-Design Canvas to tackle issues in Rotterdam neighbourhoods.’

‘We will continue to focus on the question of how Systemic Co-Design can be used to push the boundaries of education programmes.’ – Lenny van Onselen, knowledge director at ESC

Redesigning education
Systemic Co-Design also proves its value in initiating changes in education itself. For example, the teacher training programmes at Inholland University of Applied Sciences were redesigned with input from lecturers, students and professionals. The same happened with all healthcare and welfare programmes at Utrecht University of Applied Sciences and the technical programmes at Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences. ‘We also learned from The Hague University of Applied Sciences, which had already redesigned its education programmes based on co-design,’ says Lenny, who is delighted with the start of the second phase of the ESC network. ‘We will continue to focus on how Systemic Co-Design can be used to push the boundaries of programmes and align them with the dynamics of professional practice. In this way, we train professionals who have themselves learned to move with the practice.’

20 February 2026