On May 26, 2025, ESC will open the ‘toolbox’ of Systemic Co-Design during the ESConference: ESC Unboxed at Pakhuis de Zwijger. This edition takes a deep dive into the practices, tools, and insights that have been developed, tested, and applied across the Expertise Network Systemic Co-Design in recent years.
ESConference ‘ESC Unboxed’
Systemic Co-Design in Action
At ESC, we are committed to accelerating transitions from a Systemic Co-design (SCD) perspective—including the development of knowledge(products) that supports this. In recent years, we have explored what SCD is and how it is used in practice. This has yielded not only valuable insights but also concrete tools. During ESC Unboxed, we will explore our collective toolbox for system change together with you—researchers, designers, professionals, lecturers, and change-makers within the network. We will exchange knowledge, experiment with different tools, and learn from real-world cases.
Programme overview:
09:15 – Plenary session: On Systemic Co-design & ESC as a network
10:45 – Workshop round 1
12:15 – Lunch break
13:15 – Plenary session: On the Dynamic Learning Agenda & the SCD practice
14:30 – Workshop round 2
16:10 – Creative closing
17:10 – Drinks
This is not a conference where you only listen – in our SCD workspaces, you will work with outcomes from various ESC programs. These are the workshops you can pick from:
Workshop round 1
‘De Melksalon’ – Setting transition in motion in the Dutch culture of Dairy
Space: Main Hall
Join designer-researcher Sietske Klooster, to learn about her long-term design research project De MelkSalon, with which she literally activated systemic change. In this session, we dive into her ‘Metabolism’ of creating embodied experiences to literally motivate transition. We will reflect on how this approach can be translated to other practices.
Social design impact tool: Levers for Social Designers
Space: Studio
What if you could see impact as a lever? In this session, you’ll learn how to explore the impact of your (own) project through system flows and leverage points — and how to envision new ways, together with others, ways to intentionally plan for that impact.
Navigating through Complexity
Space: Ijzaal
Curious about your skills as a transition designer or facilitator? In this interactive session, you’ll explore your role through a hands-on card game designed to support reflection and development. A playful, practical introduction to navigating complexity in change-making contexts.
Experience the ESC Inner Development Goals Hub
Space: Meeting Room
If it’s true that you can only meet societal challenges through awareness of yourself and your place in the world, where on earth do you start? This workshop introduces you to the Inner Development Goals and a dynamic tool to balance action with being.
Learning from Missed Opportunities in Urban Co-Creation
Space: Workspace
Collaborating on civic initiatives in the city is valuable but rarely straightforward. In this workshop, we explore moments in urban co-creation where collaboration faltered. We’ll test two tools and engage in dialogue about how to improve and apply them to build more honest and effective forms of collaboration in urban settings.
Workshop round 2
Timetravel in Nature
Space: Main Hall
In this workshop we’ll explore the concept of ‘time’ in relation to nature: We reflect on our own relationship with nature time in a technology-supported nature ritual, we look at 5 paradigms that shape our relationship with nature in modern times, and we delve deeper into nature as a phenomenon and metaphor to articulate the different experiences of time among city residents.
Beyond the Label: Exploring Vulnerability through Play (Workshop in Dutch)
Space: Studio
Join this interactive workshop where we challenge the idea of ‘the vulnerable citizen’ as a fixed category. Using insights from the Dutch report ‘De kwetsbare burger bestaat niet’ and a card set for policymakers, we’ll explore the nuanced, systemic interplay of risk factors that can lead to vulnerability in interaction with the government.
Language as Design: (co-)creating shared understanding in collaboration
Space: Expo
This workshop explores how intentional language (co-)design processes can create bridges across cultural, disciplinary, and organizational divides. Through interactive, gamified exercises and insights from recent research, participants will experience how words, metaphors, and frameworks influence collaboration and impact.
Probing Futures: Systemic Co-Design in Transitions
Space: Ijzaal
How can we challenge today’s practices to make space for what wants to emerge? In this session, we use probes as a form of systemic design practice—provoking shifts in routines, perspectives, and assumptions. You will experience how designed interventions can uncover hidden patterns and open up new directions in transition processes.
Help Shape the Systemic Co-Design Learning Program ESCuela
Space: Meeting Room
ESC is launching a training program for professionals who want to tackle change processes using Co-Design and systemic approaches. In this workshop, we invite participants to co-design the ideal learning program, whether for yourself or for peers. Think hands-on learning with clear objectives, practical tools ready for use, and solid grounding in theory. What should that look like? Join the conversation!
Mapping the Student Journey – Towards a Systemic Practice
Space: Workspace
What if the student journey was seen as a dynamic system shaped by expectations, relationships and culture, combining functional and emotional aspects? In this session, we explore how Systemic Co-Design can help rethink approaches to collaboratively improve the student experience in higher education. Join us in mapping, sharing insights, and shaping next steps together.
Explore the practices, tools, and insights within SCD that drive transitions forward. What’s in your toolbox for systems change?
The conference will be held in English. Some workshops will be in Dutch, this will be indicated in advance.
