With two projects nominated for the RAAK award 2023, one of which won first prize, Van Hall Larenstein University of Applied Sciences is in the spotlight. What is especially important here? First and foremost, of course, the solutions the projects offer to environmental and climate problems. But the cooperation of different sectors of society also make them special.
The university focuses on four transitions: climate (countering change and adaptation), sustainable agriculture and food, sustainable water management and sustainable living environment.
Together
"The two nominations were already a wonderful recognition of our research, I was already so proud of that," says Jan van Iersel, college president of HVHL and member of The Economic Board.
"That the Diadema project wins the first prize is really fantastic news. I am very happy that the jury sees the impact of the project and emphasises how many people are involved. That's what applied research wants to get done: change, solutions, impact. So nice that there is appreciation for that."
Diadema
This year, the Diadema project won the RAAK award for best practice-oriented research. This project focuses on restoring sea urchin populations near the Dutch Caribbean islands of St Eustatius and Saba. Sea urchins are essential for the conservation of coral reefs. In the project, researcher Alwin Hylkema and his team developed a breeding method to produce young sea urchins.
The jury praised the researchers for the good integration of the knowledge gained from the research into education. Also counted: the local and sustainable network that the research team built on Saba and the ambitious commitment of the researchers to expand the project for large-scale impact.
The project is a collaboration between HVHL, St Eustatius National Parks Foundation, Saba Conservation Foundation, Wageningen Marine Research, Wageningen University and Wortel Product Design. The project is funded by Regieorgaan SIA, part of the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO).
Green business parks
The second project nominated for the RAAK award was Climate Adaptive Business Parks. Peter van der Maas, lecturer in Sustainable Water Systems, conducted research on this. He worked with his team, more than 100 students and several partners. The research looked at the possibilities and benefits of greenery on six business parks. The team developed a practical method for greening existing business parks, with tips and examples for successful cooperation.
The research is a collaboration between colleges, municipalities, water boards, green companies and an environmental federation, in close contact with business associations and entrepreneurs.
Because of the concrete applicability of the method developed, the municipality of Leeuwarden, for instance, already appointed a Green Coach for business parks. This has since set up several green plans that will soon be implemented.
About the RAAK award
The RAAK award is an annual prize for the best practice-oriented research. The Regieorgaan SIA awards the prize. This year, six projects were nominated, including two from HVHL.
The winner of the RAAK award receives a cash prize of 10,000 euros, to be spent on further development or dissemination of the research.
