Collaborations for Future - The Blueprints

In the Netherlands, various professionals are increasingly called upon to tackle societal challenges like sustainability and climate change. Research shows how powerful these interventions can be. But the systems supporting these collaborations can fall short, limiting their potential. The Collaborations for Future program changes that. By creating a space for interdisciplinary partnerships between designers and climate scientists, it empowers participants to explore dynamic ways of working together, unbound by rigid structures or pre-set goals. Over nine months, the incubator fostered experimentation and meaningful exchanges between experts from vastly different fields, proving that collaboration is more than just a buzzword, it’s a blueprint for change.

But what does it take to build a successful interdisciplinary partnership? Collaborations for Future: The Blueprints delves into that very question, offering an insightful, practical guide for anyone seeking to design impactful collaborations. This publication distills nine months of lessons from the Collaborations for Future program, exploring how to align creative and scientific expertise to tackle climate challenges. It provides real-world methodologies and insights for designers, researchers, and policymakers, highlighting the conditions that foster impactful partnerships. Beyond the “how,” it delves into the “why”—why certain dynamics succeed and why open-ended collaboration sparks innovation. Whether starting fresh or reimagining existing processes, this guide is an inspiring roadmap for driving meaningful change.