Today's complex challenges call us to work together and integrate many fields and perspectives.
The question is… how?
Collective Futures is a five-month full-time minor for MSc students who want to make a difference by collaborating on a project with impactful organizations and researchers.
It serves as a unique bridge between your academic studies and professional life. You'll join a high-trust learning environment, collaborate with real-world stakeholders, and discover opportunities for a meaningful career.
Together, we take present-day action and work toward more resilient, collective futures.
The next cohort runs Feb 10th - Jul 4th 2025.
Why Collective Futures?
Many people and organizations are struggling with today’s complex challenges. To make a difference, we need to integrate many fields and perspectives. And, to sustainably feel and do good, we need connection with others.
We need futures that are more collective. This means there is a growing need for people with the ability to shape and navigate those futures. People who can work across boundaries, with creativity, compassion and scientific rigor.
This is what Collective Futures is about. We offer a learning environment where you gain real-world professional experience, while also getting space and guidance to develop your unique qualities and passions. Together, we combine holistic understanding with scientific rigor, personal development with social connection, and imagination with practical action.
How does it work?
Collective Futures is a 30EC minor program at University of Amsterdam, open to students from any Dutch university enrolled in a two-year MSc program. It runs each year in the second semester (Feb-Jul).
In this full-time program, you will join an interdisciplinary team of students and work on a project with collaborators from different fields, such as researchers, public organizations and social enterprises. You will work on a societal challenge, combining methods from science, systems thinking, social innovation and consulting.
Additionally, you will participate in other learning activities, such as workshops, lectures, coaching, theater and sports, and you will join a committee with budget to co-organize parts of the program. These activities support your personal and professional development, and prepare you for a career that matters.
Current projects
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Tackling Food Addiction- TNO
Reducing the overconsumption and dependency of Ultra Processed Foods (UPFs) in the Netherlands, researching current systems and developing educational interventions to break overconsumption behaviours.
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Transitioning away from PFAS - DoMoreForWater
Addressing PFAS contamination by analysing industry lobbying strategies and regulatory frameworks.
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Democratic Stability in the EU- The School of Moral Ambition
Researching and creating interventions for reinforcing democratic stability and mitigating democratic backsliding in countries in the European Union.
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Refugee Mental Health- People for People
Mapping a typical journey of unaccompanied refugee minors (URMs), conducting a scientific literature review on their mental well-being needs, validating findings with URMs, and mapping to stakeholder to ensure comprehensive insights and targeted support.
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Reducing Heat Stress- Gas terug, Gemeente Amsterdam
Trying to reduce heat stress in Amsterdam's community buildings by developing and piloting energy-efficient, sustainable cooling techniques in line with the city's climate adaptation goals.
What will you learn?
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Making Systemic Change
• Form a holistic understanding of societal challenges using methods from science, systems thinking and social design
• Learn to identify opportunities for making long-term meaningful change
• Link global perspectives with local action -
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Collaborating Across Boundaries
• Develop an empathetic and inclusive approach to working with diverse groups of people, including those from different cultures, backgrounds, and disciplines
• Build networks and relationships across sectors to help address societal challenges -
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Project and information management
• Learn to combine, structure and analyze complex information from a diverse range of (academic and non-academic) sources
• Develop project management skills to coordinate and evaluate initiatives aimed at addressing societal challenges
• Learn to use modern tools to collaborate and manage information -
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Career navigation
• Explore which career directions help you do your most meaningful work
• Learn to balance your different needs and passions in work and life
• Learn the skills to find and navigate a career that matters -
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Creativity and imagination in action
• Connect with your imagination and develop a well-founded and creative vision
• Learn to translate your vision to practical action -
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Self-actualization
• Explore your values, qualities and what you need to flourish
• Explore how you can use your talent to help others
• Build resilience and adaptability to navigate uncertainty and overcome challenges in complex and dynamic environments
Previous projects 2024
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Public Space Design - De Ceuvel
Investigating the future of circular innovation at Amsterdam's De Ceuvel, a sustainable creative incubator facing relocation, to integrate and inspire circular principles in future urban developments.
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Climate Emotions - Climate Majority Project
Designing classroom initiatives that combine climate facts with psychological support to address climate distress and make space for well-informed collective actions.
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Integral Collaboration in the Water Sector - KWR Water Research
Emphasising holistic approaches to complex water challenges through developing an approach to support value-oriented communication and cross-disciplinary collaboration in the water sector.
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Green DME in a renewable energy system - TNO
Developing an assessment and roadmap of Green DME (a sustainable multipurpose chemical)'s potential and role in the transition to a renewable non-fossil-based energy system.
What is included in the program?
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Project work
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Workshops & lectures
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Career orientation
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Coaching & reflection
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Sports & theater
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Excursions & team building
Previous projects
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Sounding Urban Nature - Waag & ARISE
Enhancing the environment for all life on campus by combining AI, sound walks and a landscape intervention to study the interplay of sound, biodiversity and psychological well-being at Amsterdam Science Park.
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Reducing light pollution - Municipality of Amsterdam
Systemic analysis and practical plan to help the Municipality of Amsterdam reduce light pollution in the city. The project considers ecological factors, social neighborhood dynamics, energy efficiency and more.
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Urban Permaculture - Anna's Tuin en Ruigte
Development plan for the integration of natural areas in Amsterdam Science Park, which led to the realization of Anna's Tuin & Ruigte, a permaculture area run by a community of volunteers at Amsterdam Science Park.
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Youth Wellbeing App - Anatta Foundation
User analysis and non-profit funding strategy to support the effectivity and long-term accessibility of a game-based Youth Wellbeing app, developed by an international research consortium.
Is Collective Futures for me?
You:
Are enrolled in a two-year MSc program at UvA or any other Dutch university
Seek opportunities to apply your academic background and make a tangible difference
Are excited to collaborate with a partner organization on a real-world societal challenge
Want to embrace the opportunity to go beyond your comfort zone and learn from both successes and failures
Are motivated to collaborate in a strong community and make the program a memorable, educative and impactful experience
Are prepared to commit to a full-time 5-month program and have a relevant track record in both your academic and extracurricular experiences
