Inspiration session: How can you really get professionals moving towards sustainability?

Many sustainability managers struggle with the same question: how do you ensure that sustainability does not remain stuck in strategy and reports, but actually comes to life in practice? How do you encourage sustainable change? Recent research shows that there is a strong relationship between employee engagement and sustainable behaviour in the workplace. Employees who feel involved in their organisation are much more likely to support sustainability initiatives or even initiate them themselves.

During this free inspiration session on Thursday, 22 January 2026 (12:00-13:00h), Dr Marije Klomp and Dr Willem Elbers will teach you how to transform isolated initiatives into a supported, strategic and robust sustainability movement. They will discuss the role of community building, storytelling and fellowships as evidence-based levers for successful cultural and behavioural change. They will draw on their own scientific research and practical experience at companies such as Johnson & Johnson and Green ASML.

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What will you learn?

In this session, you will gain insights, examples and practical tools to:

  • Use community building as a lever for sustainable change.
  • Build a network of internal change agents.
  • Work with fellowships and employee-led movements.
  • Embed sustainability in your organisation's culture

Who is it for?

This session is specifically for:

  • Sustainability managers or coordinators
  • CSOs
  • Impact leads
  • Professionals in the profit sector who are responsible for the sustainable transition
  • Community leaders or managers
  • Green team ambassadors or members
  • Impact or ESG managers
  • Professionals considering a career switch to sustainability

Whether you are just starting out or already working with internal ambassadors, this session offers new perspectives, inspiration and concrete tools.

Practical information

  • Date: Thursday, 22 January 2026
  • Time: 12:00-13:00h
  • Speakers: Dr Willem Elbers & Dr mr. Marije Klomp
  • Location: Online
  • Cost: Free of charge
  • Language: Dutch

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Twee portretten van man en vrouw

About the speakers

Dr Willem Elbers

Willem Elbers is Programme Director Global Challenges and Senior Lecturer in the Community Building for a Sustainable Future course. Willem researches social movements and worked on the development of the SDG community at Johnson & Johnson. He believes that harnessing the power of social movements helps organisations transform towards a sustainable future.

Dr mr. Marije Klomp

Marije Klomp is Sustainability Manager of the Year 2022 and Director of the Radboud Centre for Social Sciences. Marije has a strong drive to engage and activate people in the transition to a more sustainable world. She has conducted research into the role of fellowships in sustainability work. Her focus is on connecting strategy and human action.

See also