Grassroots
Grassroots uses design power to achieve system change for the benefit of sustainability and circular practices in the Dutch food system. The project develops a series of Minimum Viable Ecosystems (MVEs) – this are collaborative networks where startups, farmers, researchers, and artists/ designers co-create regenerative value propositions that benefit both people and planet. The goal of the project is to prove that MVEs are a viable strategy for value creation when design power is combined with business power.
Details
About Grassroots
Grassroots investigates the Minimum Viable Ecosystems theory by applying it with design power and linking it to startups in the agrofood sector. Together with these artists, startups and partners, we investigate how these ecosystems generate societal impact within the food transition, where they get stuck, and where new perspectives are needed to increase the impact they create. By assess how the MVE-theory can contribute a fresh approach in food transition.
About MVEs
Minimum Viable Ecosystems (MVE) represent the smallest viable configuration of actors and processes needed to create value while contributing to systemic transformation. Unlike traditional market approaches, MVEs don’t start from existing markets or value chains, but from a minimal setup designed to enable transitions and generate new collaborative structures.
However, MVE is based on diffrent theoretical frameworks and to buildt Minimum Viable Ecosystems in Grassroots, the project team needed to agree on what one actually is. In the first year, we worl with a set of terms, that is forged collectively by the team: precise enough to guide practice, open enough to evolve as the project does. The five core concepts that underpin the MVE as Grassroots understands it, is captured in the figure below. An MVE begins with an ecosystem oriented around a shared mission. Value symmetry keeps it together. The terms minimal, role, and viable define what makes it function and what is experimented with in this project. (Also read this article)
Our role
In4Art leads Work Package 3 (MVE Development), focusing on network mapping, identity development for the MVEs, innovation impact creation, and validating the added value of designers in circular ecosystems.
Partners
Wageningen University, RSM Erasmus University, ScaleUp Practitioners, Dutch Design Foundation, East Agency
The consortium brings together expertise in food systems research, business development, and design practice.
Artists
Marije Vogelzang / MVE> Marketplace for alternative ingredients
Linked to Grassa.
Design direction: What cultural conditions are necessary to give new food sources a meaningful place within society?
Selected mission: To develop new imaginations, rituals, and experiences surrounding grass that contribute to a future in which alternative proteins can become a natural part of daily life.
Testing a.o. the design power in imagination
Katja Gruijters / MVE > Food stays Food
Linked to Magie Creations.
Design direction: How can residual streams, such as brewing grain, become a valued raw material within a sustainable food system?
Selected mission: Making barley spent grain the natural choice as a valuable ingredient for a healthy and sustainable food system by connecting with its origin.
Testing a.o. the design power in revaluation.
Meta van Drunen / MVE> Healthy food landscape around ‘densly populated’ communities
Linked to Circle Farming.
Design direction: How can low-tech agriculture feed the city by harnessing the power of communities and food connection points?
Selected mission: A healthier and more resilient food landscape in and around the city
Testing a.o. the design power in collaboration.
Duration
Sept 1st, 2025 – December 31st, 2027.
In year one, we are focussing on defining the MVE scope, selecting the designers and activating the ‘design power'(ontwerpkracht) and ecosysteem.
In year two, we will validate the design power, have knowledge dissemination (a.o. , teaching cases), and conduct viability assessments to understand the impact of pilot MVEs.
Investment
€650.000
Credits
