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 tangible 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 develop the skills to co-create more sustainable, resilient and collective futures.

The next cohort runs Feb 10th - Jul 4th 2025.

Join us at

Collective Futures: Meet the Minor event

May 14th 12:00 - 15:00 | Main Hall Science Park

Why Collective Futures?

Many people and organizations are struggling with today’s complex changes. To make a tangible 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 skills to shape and navigate those futures. People who can work together, connecting diverse perspectives, with creativity, compassion and scientific rigor.

This is what our program 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. This takes about half of your time.

The other half, you participate in activities, such as workshops, lectures, coaching, theater and sports. You will also 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.

What will you learn?

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

What is included in the program?

  • Workshops & lectures

  • Career orientation

  • Coaching & reflection

  • Project work

  • Sports & theater

  • Excursions & team building

More information about the curriculum

Current projects

  • De Ceuvel 3.0 - 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.

  • Climate Distress - Climate Majority Project

    Addressing climate distress by designing classroom initiatives that combine climate facts with psychological support to help turn climate distress into well-informed collective actions.

  • Integral Collaboration & value-oriented communication - 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.

  • 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.

Previous projects

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

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

Interested in collaborating with us?

Join hands with the University of Amsterdam and a team of second-year MSc students to help your organization make meaningful change. We seek project collaborators who share our vision and support our students' development. For ideas or more information contact us below.

Previous collaborators