Within The Economic Board, government, business, education and research work together to tackle socio-economic challenges. Van Hall Larenstein University of Applied Sciences is one of these education and research partners, with in-depth knowledge and experience in the fields of nature and the environment, human and animal health, and responsible entrepreneurship.
Van Hall Larenstein is a unique university of applied sciences. In addition to higher professional education programmes, the organisation offers master’s programmes, post-higher professional education programmes, courses and consultancy services at both national and international levels. Van Hall Larenstein therefore presents itself not merely as a university of applied sciences, but as a ‘knowledge enterprise for social and economic issues’, focusing in particular on nature and the environment, human and animal health, and responsible entrepreneurship.
Expertise in Living Labs
The university of applied sciences’ expertise covers both urban and rural areas. Together with partners, around 20 research groups at Van Hall Larenstein carry out research and knowledge projects. To this end, the research groups have developed themes into research strands.
The projects are carried out in so-called ‘living labs’. The Lifeport Circular Lab (LCL) learning environment has been set up for this purpose.
Partners include The Economic Board, Van Hall Larenstein, the Green Metropolitan Region, Radboud University, HAN University of Applied Sciences, Wageningen University & Research, the KIEMT Foundation, the RvN@ network organisation, and the municipalities of Arnhem and Nijmegen.
The approach involves practical research into opportunities for realising sustainable innovations in the areas of land and water use, biodiversity and food security.
In conversation with ...
Jan van Dellen (Managing Director of The Economic Board Regio Arnhem Nijmegen),
Rik Eweg (Professor of Regional Transitions towards Circular Agriculture) and
Robert Baars (Professor of Climate-Smart Dairy Value Chains), both affiliated with Van Hall Larenstein, highlight opportunities relating to the transition in agriculture in particular.
“As Regio Foodvalley and Regio Arnhem Nijmegen, we are working to reduce nitrogen emissions,” begins Jan van Dellen. “We are doing this in collaboration with agricultural entrepreneurs. Gelderland has many agricultural businesses located near nature reserves, which is why it is important to develop effective measures together. I emphasise ‘together’, because only an approach that enjoys broad support will bear fruit. In this collaboration, Van Hall Larenstein is a key partner in education and research.”
Four transitions: climate, agriculture, water, living environment
On Van Hall Larenstein's starting position, Robert Baars says: "Our education and research are guided by 'Growing as experts in transition'. The term transition refers to four major movements of change. One: climate change, which forces adaptation and countering further change. Two: development of sustainable agricultural practices. Three: sustainable water management. Four: working towards a sustainable environment. All four together are vital for a future-proof world."
Climate adaptation
In the field of urban climate adaptation, Van Hall Larenstein is involved, amongst other things, in making Arnhem city centre heat-resilient. In 2022, the university of applied sciences and Arnhem City Council signed a letter of intent to collaborate on climate-adaptive measures that improve the quality of life in the city. The ‘Designing of Future Green Cities’ research group is conducting practical research into measures that contribute to this.
Agriculture
In addition to urban climate adaptation, there is the challenge of the transition in agriculture. Rik Eweg comments: “We face two challenges: climate change and biodiversity. The question is how we can make our agriculture future-proof. Are we moving towards a mix of circular agriculture geared towards local and regional markets, alongside large-scale, export-oriented agribusinesses making intensive use of technology?”
“Policy is focused on reducing emissions. Technologically, a great deal is possible: smart livestock housing where manure is separated, alternative feedstocks and crop technology. These reduce emissions, but the problem remains that improving the quality of air, soil and water cannot be attributed to individual farms alone. One solution is a region-specific approach with region-specific targets. And – very importantly – involving farmers in this process. Agricultural entrepreneurs possess in-house knowledge and expertise that we must utilise.”
Van Hall Larenstein is involved in projects that are testing the options mentioned by Rik Eweg. One example of this is the IJssel Valley, where students and researchers are putting three options into practice: diluting manure, converting ryegrass to productive, herb-rich grassland, and phasing out artificial fertiliser by experimenting with innovative housing systems that separate organic manure.
“Some agricultural entrepreneurs will switch to more extensive farming, which will create more space for nature and biodiversity,” says Robert Baars. “But in any case, any change will need to be aligned with new revenue models and supported by legislation and regulations. And we will have to start looking at food and our food production in a different way.”
Jan van Dellen: “Growing different crops could also form part of this transition. In De Liemers, a trial is underway in which a number of farms supply biogas to brickworks. This creates sustainable local and regional cycles, as well as an alternative revenue model. Here, for example, the province of Gelderland or The Economic Board could help create the right conditions for establishing an energy infrastructure. In this way, agricultural entrepreneurs are supported with knowledge and advice.”
Leading the way
New revenue models and a fresh approach to energy, food and food production are all part of a wider transformation. Van Hall Larenstein is at the forefront of this with modules such as ‘Business Coach in Precision Agriculture’ and ‘Business Coach in Nature-Inclusive Entrepreneurship in Agriculture’. These are study programmes in which the university of applied sciences collaborates with, amongst others, Wageningen University & Research.
For enterprising students, alumni and (future) entrepreneurs, Van Hall Larenstein offers the Green Entrepreneurship Centre, which supports start-ups and projects centred on sustainable and innovative entrepreneurship. This support takes the form of personal coaching, access to IT facilities, networking events, microloans, idea labs and a ‘sustainable entrepreneurship’ minor.
“Sustainability is very much a practical reality at Van Hall Larenstein,” says Rik Eweg. “It’s about taking concrete steps based on a clear vision. The transition we are currently undergoing is a long-term endeavour. Restructuring a system affects every level of it. That is why it is so important to recognise and utilise the knowledge and experience of agricultural entrepreneurs.”
“The Economic Board is committed to ensuring that all parties in the triple helix collaboration contribute based on their respective strengths,” concludes Jan van Dellen. “Practical research and education, such as that provided by Van Hall Larenstein, delivers significant added value because it ties in with the existing expertise within businesses and helps to seek and find a balance between nature, food production and the economy.”
This article appeared in *Het Ondernemersbelang*.
