Friday, July 4, 2025
How do we translate knowledge about health into concrete action for all residents of Zuid-Holland? This question was central on June 30th during the knowledge event 'From Knowledge to Impact.
At this joint event organized by the Province of Zuid-Holland, the Healthy Society Program, Medical Delta, and the academic workgroups Lumens and Cephir, over 80 policymakers, researchers, initiators, and professionals gathered for knowledge exchange and inspiration.
The event was opened by Mariëtte van Leeuwen, Deputy of the Province of Zuid-Holland. She emphasized the importance of this event as a key step toward the Delta Action Agenda. With this agenda, various collaborating organizations and experts aim to scale existing initiatives and proven solutions to make Zuid-Holland healthier.
Vision on transitions and inspiring practical examples
Zsuzsan Proos delivered the keynote and shared her vision on realizing transitions for a sustainable food system: 'Transition is not optimization, it requires disruption and collaboration.' Using four dynamic phases, from idea to legislation, she provided tools for system change and impact.
Speakers then shared their key lessons from scaling solutions, based on four inspiring projects:
- Mariëlle Beenackers and Marije Poot-Reynders from the academic workgroup CEPHIR emphasized the importance of collaboration between science, policy, and practice, despite tensions such as conflicts between science and policy.
- Clare Luymes from the academic workgroup Lumens highlighted the importance of the living environment in achieving health goals, with insights from projects that connect to daily life.
- Jonna ter Braak from Health Campus The Hague discussed group consultations as a method for making lifestyle knowledge more accessible, focusing on success factors and challenges such as the need for more structure through manuals and work agreements.
- Natasja van der Lely presented The New Lunch Culture, a vegetable-rich, social, and relaxed lunch at the workplace, with positive effects for both employees and employers.
Collaboration Needed for Scaling Up
Although there are already many valuable solutions, scaling them up in practice often proves challenging. Therefore, the focus is on better collaboration, coordination, and follow-through, which are essential for sustainable impact. Starting from this premise, participants engaged in an interactive session discussing the question: What would you like to scale up for a healthier Zuid-Holland? Around three themes—healthy food environment, healthy living environment, and resilient and vital residents—insights, needs, and opportunities were shared.
Do you also want to participate and contribute to a Healthy Zuid-Holland?
Visit the website www.gezondzuidholland.nl
And sign up for our network. Then we will invite you to the Festival Gezond Verstand 2025 on November 13th.
