‘If you tell it, others will naturally get excited'

According to him, the people of Zeeland can be proud of the center in Vlissingen, even though it has only been around for a few months. "The collaboration within the DCC is truly special, more than I sometimes realized," says Gerard van der Steenhoven. "Recently, I was in Brussels for a meeting with other climate centers in Europe. Our great strength is that we operate regionally, with mbo, hbo, and wo on one side and engaged policymakers and companies on the other. You don't see that anywhere else. And when you explain it, others become naturally enthusiastic."

Zeeland is an ideal region for these kinds of initiatives to flourish. "But it's not the only one. I am also involved in a similar initiative in Twente. It works there too. Both are areas where people know and can find each other. This makes it easy to set up collaborations." According to Van der Steenhoven, new forms of collaboration are needed to tackle the challenges of climate change and rising sea levels. "We must do everything we can to limit global warming to 1.5 to 2 degrees."

System transitions

This can only be achieved by working on system transitions. Such significant changes can only be accomplished with an approach like the DCC's: mission-driven, transdisciplinary, and through co-creation to find solutions. "When we come up with changes together, they must also be implemented in practice. Take the protein transition. We researchers are working hard on the shift from animal to plant proteins, but if no one applies it, it’s pointless. How wonderful would it be if, in five years, we have restaurants in Zierikzee and Middelburg with completely new menus based on the protein transition."

The innovative approach of the DCC makes it complicated at first, but in the long run, it yields the most beautiful, valuable results. This is the firm belief of the DCC board chairman. Patience is a virtue. "I have often been involved in new initiatives, and it always takes longer than you want. You encounter various rules while you want to get on with the content."

The DCC, however, is making significant progress. There was a lot of interest in the introduction to the center in April, the first flagship project Delta Protein has started, the foundation's deed of incorporation has been signed, the education coordinator is on board, other vacancies are being filled relatively quickly, and there are 'wonderful initiatives around co-creation that we can build on.' "Everyone is enthusiastic and wants to move forward. They understand the concept, have the passion, and think from the DCC’s perspective, not from the individual institutions. That’s what we need."

Tangible results

Ask Van der Steenhoven where the DCC will be in five years, and he has the answer ready. He hopes that by then, the first results of the flagship projects will be visible. "In the form of reports, but also tangible results. The field must benefit from our research. The first fruits must have been borne. Progress will vary from one project to another, but that's normal."

Van der Steenhoven is confident that after ten years, when national funding ends, there will be an institution that can stand on its own. "It is good that we are already thinking about this. Entrepreneurship involves the ability to take risks. We take the risk of failure, but that makes success taste even sweeter if it succeeds."