Where Ideas Come Into Focus
Where Ideas Come Into Focus
EnvironmentNews

From “Land of Hope” to a New Academy for Transformative Change in Brussels

Maria Bolevich , , , 2 min read

When autumn 2026 begins to settle over Brussels, and as the colder months draw nearer, challenges that can not be postponed will once again come to the forefront. These are challenges that require not only analysis, but concrete solutions and people capable of putting them into practice, such as energy insecurity.

With this goal in mind, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) has launched a new initiative aimed at experts and decision-makers who want to actively participate in sustainable change. Through its House of Sustainable Transitions (HOST) platform, which brings together more than 200 researchers from various fields, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) has launched the Training Academy for Transformative Change.

This initiative stems from the recognition that complex social and environmental problems cannot be solved within a single discipline. HOST, founded on 29 February 2024, connects knowledge from different scientific fields to jointly address challenges in sectors such as energy, mobility, food systems, urban development, and the circular economy.

Source: House-of-sustainable-transitions.be

The Academy represents a step beyond the boundaries of traditional education. Rather than remaining at the level of theory, the focus is on how to translate existing scientific knowledge into approaches that governments, businesses, and civil society organizations can use.

The “Factor 8” framework

At the core of the program is the “Factor 8” framework, developed by Professor Cathy Macharis. It is an approach that encourages systemic thinking and helps to better understand the complexity of problems and involve different stakeholders. Through work on concrete case studies, participants will have the opportunity to apply what they have learned, ensuring that the knowledge becomes immediately useful. As VUB Rector Jan Danckaert points out, they want not only to develop new knowledge, but also to use it to help solve societal challenges.

The pilot program will run from September 2026 to January 2027. The number of participants is limited to 25 to maintain an interactive and practical approach.

Land of Hope

For those who are unable to participate in the program, additional insight into sustainability topics is offered by the book “Land of Hope.” Edited by Professor Cathy Macharis, the book brings together experts who analyze the weaknesses of existing systems and offer possible solutions in areas such as mobility, energy, food, economics, and construction, as well as governance and education. In addition to analytical perspectives, it provides concrete examples and a vision of a more sustainable future. It is available in Dutch and English.

Image: Professor Cathy Macharis, HOST coordinator, Launch HOST

Maria Bolevich

Maria Bolevich is a science, health, and environmental journalist. She collaborated with international outlets like New Scientist, Science Magazine, Nature, SciDev, Interesting Engineering. As a Maria Leptin EMBO Fellow, she spent two months at VUB in Brussels, deepening her engagement with scientific research. She completed Medical High School and graduated from the Faculty of Metallurgy and Technology, Department of Environmental Protection, giving her a unique foundation in both medicine and engineering. Maria is passionate about freedom of thought, open dialogue, and constructive criticism. A dedicated language learner and book lover, she loves Spanish and Italian, studied Greek for a year, and is now learning French while continuing to improve her language skills.