Definition of agents of change in sustainability projects with added value in the field

KWR presented the latest results of the ANCHOR project recently. The first case study, the Nieuwe Dokken sustainable housing project in Ghent, Belgium, has now been completed and valuable lessons have been learnt, says KWR researcher Jan Starke. “In previous research, we have identified the roles of key individuals (agents of change). They have now been linked to propelling mechanisms, social mechanisms that lead to the growth and spread of ideas from sustainability initiatives for local water management systems, the subject of this project.”

The goal of ANCHOR is to develop neighbourhood-scale local water management systems from different perspectives. These water management systems must be resilient, circular, integrated, sustainable and social. We have reported in the past about how, on the basis of a framework developed by KWR, the roles of key individuals – agents of change – can be identified. During an online lunch talk recently, KWR presented the latest results from the ANCHOR project.

Building up and spreading knowledge

Noor van Dooren, a researcher at KWR and one of the people behind the framework, gives a concrete example of the propelling mechanisms that emerged from the completed case study on the New Docks in Ghent. “At the New Docks, we saw an agent of change who was involved from the outset. Initially, he played a technical role by collecting the required knowledge. He is now working on spreading that knowledge through – in this case – a commercial company. This propelling mechanism is called learning-by-doing. In part because of practical examples like this, we have now been able to connect the various agents of change and the propelling mechanisms they drive.”

Importance of agents of change

Several online lunch talks are being organised as part of the ANCHOR project. On this occasion, there were fifty participants. The lunch talks are open free of charge and so interested people from follower cities can also join in to learn from them. They are a sort of ‘peep over the garden fence’, agrees Starke. “At the same time, we also want to learn how processes of this kind work elsewhere. So the lunch talk was followed by a discussion opportunity for the Dutch Community of Practice in order to make a more in-depth discussion possible in a smaller group. Participants there said that they understand the importance of energetic and enthusiastic agents of change. Defining these roles allows you to identify which, if any, of them are still missing from your sustainability project. And in the field, a combination of roles often turns out to be necessary.”

‘Agents of Change’ framework developed by KWR.

Teamwork in sustainability

After Ghent, work is now in progress on case studies in Amsterdam (Schoonschip) and Helsingborg, Sweden (H+). Kerkrade (Superlocal) and Hamburg, Germany (Jenfelder Au) will follow in late 2025. The ANCHOR project will be completed in 2026. Starke says the most important result so far is that sustainability initiatives are primarily about teamwork. “You need all kinds of people, in all kinds of roles. Those roles are not person-specific and they change along the way. That requires a range of skills. From a core team, you provide continuity and make sure that people stay engaged and take on new challenges. Government agencies can support ambitious initiatives here.”

Artist’s impression of the sustainable residential area the New Docks in Ghent.

Collaboration

The three-year ANCHOR project was approved in April 2023 as part of the EU’s INTERREG programme. The European project is a collaboration between KWR, Waternet and partners from Flanders, Germany and Sweden.
ANCHOR is also financed by WiCE, the collective research programme of the drinking water companies at the interface of water, energy, raw materials and environment.