Dutch Design Foundation and CLICKNL are exploring how knowledge about the application of the power of design can be better developed, connected, shared and applied to societal challenges. The exploration is being conducted in coordination with the Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Science (OCW).

The Netherlands faces major societal challenges, such as the energy transition, housing, the future of healthcare, digitalisation and broad prosperity. These are complex challenges for which there is no single, straightforward solution. The power of design helps to approach such challenges from different perspectives, bring stakeholders together and develop new solutions that align with real-world practice and people’s needs.

In recent years, significant investments have been made in knowledge, research, programmes and networks related to the power of design. At the same time, the landscape is changing. Programmes and policy structures are coming to an end or taking on a different form, while priorities within innovation policy are shifting. This creates a risk that accumulated knowledge, expertise and networks will become fragmented or be lost.

A great deal of valuable knowledge is available, but it is spread across different organisations, sectors, research programmes, and networks

Moreover, a great deal of valuable knowledge about the power of design is available, but it is spread across different organisations, sectors, research programmes, and networks. As a result, this knowledge is not always easy to find or use for designers, researchers, governments, businesses and other professionals working on societal challenges.

This makes it particularly important to explore how we can better connect and circulate existing knowledge, identify where knowledge is still lacking, and determine how new knowledge can be developed and shared sustainably. In this way, design professionals with the right knowledge can contribute more often and in more contexts to complex societal challenges.

What are we exploring?

The Exploration Knowledge Infrastructure The Power of Design maps the knowledge and knowledge initiatives that already exist, identifies opportunities and gaps, and examines what different users need to find, share and apply knowledge more effectively.

The central question is how a programmatic approach can help strengthen knowledge around the power of design and enable it to be used more effectively in addressing societal challenges. The ultimate goal is to make it easier for professionals and organisations working on these challenges to access up-to-date knowledge, proven approaches, relevant expertise and networks.