PARTNERSHIPS FOR CHANGE
Innovation ecosystem builders learning together, grounded in local realities, connected for global impact.
The GROW Community of Practice brings together researchers, entrepreneurs, innovation ecosystem builders, universities, policymakers and societal partners who are working to strengthen science-to-society pathways in their own contexts.
We believe that meaningful change emerges when people from different countries, disciplines and sectors learn together, challenge assumptions, build trusted relationships and experiment with new approaches.
Through dialogue, reciprocal learning and collaboration, members contribute to shared futures while strengthening their own ecosystems and organisations.
Gain insights from practitioners, researchers and ecosystem builders working across Africa, Asia, the Americas and Europe.
Develop long-term connections with people who share a commitment to societal impact, innovation and systems change.
Discover opportunities for collaborative projects, exchanges, ventures, funding applications and partnerships.
Innovation ecosystem builders help create the conditions for innovation to thrive. They connect people, organisations, knowledge and resources around shared challenges and shared futures.
Ecosystem building is often not a formal position, but a role. Members of the GROW Community of Practice can be researchers, entrepreneurs, policymakers, university staff, incubator managers, network coordinators, funders or community leaders. What they have in common is that they help bring people and ideas together to create pathways from science to societal impact.
WHAT HAPPENS IN THE COMMUNITY
Learn together
Community members come together online monthly to exchange ideas, share experiences and explore opportunities for collaboration. We discuss problem based learning, the role of universities in innovation, decent work creation, community led innovation etc.
Meet & Exchange
Throughout the year, GROW members meet during - locally or globally - community events, workshops and learning exchanges that strengthen relationships and create space for new ideas and partnerships.
Build Together
Conversations lead to new joint ambitions, that we translate into project (proposal)s for funding applications at e.g. EU Horizon, (private)donors or National funding agencies such as Dutch Research Council, NRF etc.
The Community of Practice connects since 2025 participants from:
Costa Rica • Ghana • India • Nepal • South Africa • The Netherlands
Contact us if you want to join. You are very welcome.
Always Local Challenges First
Innovation starts with understanding local realities and opportunities.
Universities as Ecosystem Hotspots
Universities play a unique role in connecting science, education, innovation and society.
Science to Society Pathways
Knowledge creates value when it contributes to action, innovation and societal impact.
Communities as
Co-Creators
Stronger solutions with the local people, organisations and knowledge involved.
Human Capabilities First
People, relationships and leadership are the foundation of lasting change.
Building on ideas emerging from collaborations across South Africa, the Netherlands, Nepal, India, Costa Rica and Ghana, this conversation explores how entrepreneurship can become more human-centred, regenerative and connected to society's real challenges.
We welcome researchers, students, entrepreneurs, practitioners, policymakers, educators, philosophers, community leaders and anyone curious about creating a different future.
7 September
3-5 PM C.E.T.
Online
Who is it for?
Researchers • Entrepreneurs • Ecosystem Builders • Policymakers • Educators • Community Leaders
Join a global learning ecosystem focused on creating pathways from science to societal impact.
Follow us and join our conversations on Substack too.
Here we share how we connect science, entrepreneurship and partnership to develop people, ventures and ecosystems that contribute to resilient, inclusive and thriving societies.
GROW is supported by NWO-NWA, the European Union and embedded in Dutch Universities
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