On June 25, 2026, RVO hosts the second Impact Clusters Linking & Learning Event at Wonders of Work in Utrecht (Hoog Catharijne), from 09:00 to 18:00.  

Since the first edition, many Impact Cluster projects have started and finished. At the end of 2025, RVO commissioned an external evaluation of the programme. This provided recommendations on strengthening partnerships, developing viable business cases and stressing the importance of access to finance. 

During the event, we will share these insights with you through interactive workshops, with space to exchange experiences and learn from others. 

This year the event will be partially hybrid. Partners outside The Netherlands can contribute and connect with those attending on-site in Utrecht.

Workshops held in the morning are designed to support active participation from both online and on-site participants. 

This hybrid morning programme is by invitation only, for those already involved in an Impact Cluster.

The afternoon programme is open to all, including organisations active in Impact Clusters and those interested in joining. This part of the day will be in-person only and will feature sector-specific workshops, where participants share experiences with organisations in the same field.     

There will also be a marketplace to explore RVO funding and support services, and  the opportunity to have a speed date with an Impact Clusters advisor or advisors from other RVO teams and partners. 

Register here

Programme

Thursday, June 25, 2026
1:30 PM - 2:00 PM
Walk-in and registration
 
 
2:00 PM - 2:30 PM
Plenary kick-off afternoon programme
 
Michiel van der Pompe Michiel van der Pompe
Froukje Verreijt Froukje Verreijt
2:30 PM - 3:45 PM
Sector specific workshop

Sector-specific workshops

In these workshops participants share success factors and common failures in designing and managing an Impact Clusters project in a specific sector. The sectors will be selected upon interest.

Possible discussion topics  include:

  • Project examples: do’s and don’ts;
  • Adapting your technology or product to the local context;
  • How to turn training and demonstration activities into new clients;
  • Access to finance and understanding investment needs;
  • Risk management and dealing with the unexpected;
  • Effective communication strategies;
  • Marketing strategies;
  • How to reach female and young future clients;
  • Ensuring post-project continuation and upscaling.
 
3:45 PM - 4:15 PM
Final recap and introducing marketplace and speeddates
 
 
4:15 PM - 6:00 PM
Market place, speed dates and drinks

Plan a speed date with: 

  • Demonstration projects, feasibility studies, and investment preparation projects (DHI)  
  • Impact Clusters 
  • MKB Finance desk / Invest International 
  • Subsidy Programme for Responsible Business - SPVO (previously Social Sustainability Fund - SSF) 
  • Land-at-Scale  
 

Sector specific workshops

In these workshops participants exchange success factors and typical failures when designing and managing an Impact Clusters project in a specific sector. The sectors will be selected upon interest.

Topics that may be discussed during these workshops include:

  • Project examples in this sector, do’s and don’ts;
  • How can your technology or product fit the local context;
  • How do training and demonstration activities result in new clients;
  • Access to finance and investment needs;
  • Risk management, dealing with the unexpected;
  • Communication strategies;
  • Marketing strategies;
  • How to reach female and young future clients;
  • Post-project continuation and upscaling.
Twee personen werken samen aan een groot whiteboard in een licht kantoor. Een vrouw met bril en kort haar schrijft met een groene stift aan de linkerkant, terwijl een man aan de rechterkant tekent. Het bord bevat schetsen, cartoons, tekst zoals 'Hi Doc' en frames die op een storyboard lijken, met een moderne kantoortuin op de achtergrond.

Marketplace & Speeddates

Demonstration projects, feasibility studies, and investment preparation projects (DHI) 
DHI is a grant scheme available for (individual) Dutch SMEs to realise international ambitions. DHI can financially support international demonstration projects, feasibility projects, investment preparation projects and market validation world wide. Meet one of the DHI experts to see the possibilities.

Impact Clusters
The Impact Clusters team at RVO supports organisations at different stages of the Impact Cluster process. Whether you are exploring an idea, preparing an application or implementing a project, advisors can provide guidance on the set-up of a strong consortium, the project approach and key requirements of the programme. 
Reach out if: You are interested in starting an Impact Cluster or have already submitted a quick scan or full proposal. You are part of an ongoing Impact Cluster and have specific questions on content-related or procedural aspects, such as implementation or reporting. Or if you have an initial idea for an Impact Cluster and would like to pitch this to one of our advisors.

The Climate, Water and Food facility (CWF) helps partner countries with their green transitions | RVO 
CWF is a facility for Dutch embassies and consulates and supports green and just transitions in over 30 partner countries. It supports green diplomacy efforts in partner countries, helping missions engage in policy dialogue. CWF also provide actions tailored to local needs by linking Dutch experts and investors with local partners.
CWF aims to help Dutch and local partners to:

  • increase climate and sustainability ambitions;
  • carry out green actions faster, across high-impact sectors and themes;
  • strengthen the enabling environment of these sectors through policy dialogue and practical solutions;
  • create sustainable business opportunities and support green investments.

Are you a climate-focused company or NGO within the themes of food, water or renewable energy and active in one of our countries? Let's see if we can collaborate.

RBC Help desk 
Sustainability does not have to be complicated!
The RBC Help desk makes it easy for your business to operate responsibly. With clear advice, practical tools and online training, we help you to:

  • Understand and apply European legislation on sustainability;
  • Integrate responsible business practices into your policies and operations; 
  • Be prepared for future requirements from customers, consumers and regulators.

Start today with publicly available resources and take the first step towards a future-proof business.

MKB Finance desk / Invest International
You have international plans or innovative ideas for your business. To realise these, you may need advice on financing. What options are available to raise funding, and which one suits you best?
RVO’s SME Financing team supports entrepreneurs with all of these questions. Our account managers within the team, help identify suitable financing options. For opportunities both within and outside RVO, entrepreneurs can turn to them for tailored advice.
The account manager acts as an independent sparring partner, with knowledge of current government schemes and experience in the commercial finance sector. They take a critical look at your plans and offer suggestions to help you move forward, including internationally. They can advise you on the financing that best fits your plans and ambitions.

Subsidy Programme for Responsible Business - SPVO (previously Social Sustainability Fund - SSF)
The Subsidy Programme for Responsible Business (SPVO) promotes social sustainability in value chains of Dutch companies. SPVO supports companies that wish to identify social risks in sourcing countries and want to implement improvements. Specifically, SPVO focusses on the following social themes:
1.    Improving the income/wages of employees and (small) producers
2.    Combating child labour
3.    Improving working conditions
4.    Greening measures that contribute to one of the above social themes

Also present at the marketplace

Orange PPC programme
You are a company, NGO, knowledge institution or other organization interested in working together in a coalition to make impact abroad! We can provide you an update on the upcoming orange PPC programme. This upcoming programme is mainly aimed at improving food and water security and water safety in partner countries, as well as supporting sector transformation and strengthening the Netherlands' future earning potential.

Land-at-Scale
The LAND-at-Scale programme promotes just, inclusive and sustainable land governance for everyone. It contributes to more economic development and social justice, which results in improved use of land and natural resources and helps reduce conflicts and competing claims over land. The programme supports technical, legal and socio-economic solutions at local and national levels and supports cross-country knowledge development in land governance and global partnerships. The programme serves as a knowledge centre for land governance and aims to support dialogue with businesses that might face land governance-related challenges.

Speakers

Saskia Hallenga

Saskia Hallenga
Froukje Verreijt

Froukje Verreijt
Michiel van der Pompe

Michiel van der Pompe

Location 

Wonders of Work

Vredenburgpassage 116, 6th floor 
3511 GC
Utrecht

View practical information