REGEN support program
Build a regenerative business while restoring soil, biodiversity, and local ecosystems
Do you want to spend more time outdoors, contribute to nature restoration, and explore whether regenerative entrepreneurship could be your path to meaningful impact?
Join the REGEN support program and collaborate with other entrepreneurs to develop and test regenerative solutions at real pilot locations across the Netherlands.
Dutch soil is under pressure
On 86% of agricultural land in the Netherlands, nitrogen levels are so high that they cause damage to nature and soil function (European Commission, 2023).
At the same time, our soils are compacting: nearly 45% of farmland is so compacted that crops root less effectively, leading to yield losses of 10–40% (WUR, 2021). Even light compaction can reduce crop growth by up to 30% in dry years (Beter Bodembeheer, 2020).
Water quality is also declining. In sandy and loess areas, nitrate concentrations in groundwater exceed the European standard on many farms, and the situation has worsened in recent years (RIVM, 2023).
On top of that, the Netherlands is losing biodiversity at an alarming rate. According to the Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency (PBL, 2020), average species richness in natural and agricultural areas has fallen to just 15% of its original level, one of the lowest in Europe. This loss of biodiversity weakens the soil life essential for healthy crops, water retention, and a resilient food system (WUR, 2022).
The consequences are visible across our natural landscapes: in 2022, only 29% of Natura 2000 areas were below the critical nitrogen deposition threshold (Pilot Biomonitor, 2023).
Photo by Lara Vincere on Unsplash. Although tulip fields look appealing, up to 25 times more pesticides are sprayed on bulb fields than on other crops.
At REGEN, we believe regeneration starts with people: entrepreneurs, makers, farmers, and professionals who want to contribute to life instead of depletion.
Many people today feel disconnected from their work and from the natural world. They long for meaning, for community, for tangible impact. The REGEN support program offers a pathway for both experienced regenerative startups ready to scale their impact and newcomers ready to explore whether regenerative entrepreneurship could be their new direction.
Over eight months, participants reconnect with nature, learn from regenerative pioneers, and work hands-on at one of the pilot locations across the Netherlands. Together, they develop, test, and refine solutions that restore soil health, water quality, and biodiversity, and rediscover what meaningful work truly feels like.
But it can be different.
And it must be.
Why the REGEN support program?
Across the Netherlands there are many promising regenerative initiatives, from soil restoration and biodiversity projects to nature-based food and material systems. Yet most still develop their business models independently, while regenerative solutions often become stronger when designed and built together, which is exactly what REGEN aims to facilitate.
The program connects established regenerative startups with aspiring entrepreneurs who want to contribute to a new kind of economy: one that restores soil health, strengthens biodiversity, and creates fair and resilient value systems.
Our approach is inspired by permaculture design principles. Instead of optimizing isolated solutions, participants learn to observe systems, identify natural relationships, and design for cooperation, diversity, and abundance. Just like in healthy ecosystems, where different species support each other, regenerative businesses can create value by forming interconnected systems.
This is where REGEN introduces its most innovative element: building joint business models while developing your own venture. Entrepreneurs do not only develop their own business, but also explore how their solutions connect, reinforce, and create value beyond their own business.
Are you one of these entrepreneurs?
We are looking for:
Startups and established entrepreneurs ready to pilot, test, and scale regenerative solutions.
Aspiring regenerative entrepreneurs exploring whether this path could become their new professional calling.
Innovators, designers, farmers, or creatives who can dedicate at least one day a week to learning and building.
People eager to reconnect with nature and contribute to a regenerative economy.
Together you will:
Explore synergies between your solutions or ideas.
Test combined approaches at one of the locations.
Work with landowners, investors, and local communities to develop and measure ecological and financial outcomes.
The results form the basis for joint business models and a pitch deck that demonstrates both impact and profit potential, helping you attract partners and investors for long-term growth.
What you will gain
A place to test and validate your ideas with real partners.
A new way of working rooted in collaboration and nature’s logic.
A clear vision and regenerative strategy for your organisation or career.
Mentorship and guidance from regenerative experts and entrepreneurs.
A supportive network of peers, investors, and landowners.
Accountability and structure to maintain steady progress.
Financial and impact-driven business models for regeneration.
Tools for storytelling and communicating your mission.
A stronger sense of purpose, connection, and direction in your work.
The Program
The program combines hands-on collaboration with strategic business development.
Participants meet every Friday in person on their chosen pilot location to better understand the location, the possibilities, the challenges and the community, form a business idea and get their hands dirty.
Creating a business is supported by the learning platform and weekly online sessions of We Are Changemakers with skill sessions, progress sessions and changemakers coffees. There will be tailor made mentoring and business development support for the participants of the REGEN program. Depending on the availability and number of participants per location this will either be combined on Friday on location or online on Monday.
The Transformation
By the end of the REGEN support program, you’ll have become part of a living movement that works with nature to restore ecosystems, communities, and economies.
You will have:
Transformed your vision into action - whether by refining an existing regenerative enterprise or shaping your first regenerative initiative from the ground up.
Developed a regenerative mindset grounded in systems thinking, collaboration, and the rhythms of nature - enabling you to design solutions that create long-term value for both people and planet.
Co-created real change on the land - developing, testing, and measuring solutions at pilot locations that prove regeneration is not an ideal but a practical reality.
Strengthened your leadership and entrepreneurial capacity - understanding how to balance ecological integrity, community impact, and financial resilience.
Experienced the power of collective intelligence - learning what happens when entrepreneurs, innovators, and changemakers unite behind shared regenerative goals.
Gained clarity on your future direction - whether that means scaling your company, launching a new venture, joining forces with other pioneers, or integrating regenerative principles into your existing work.
Created tangible outcomes - a validated pilot project, a regenerative business model, an investor-ready pitch deck, and a network of trusted partners and allies.
Ultimately, you’ll leave the REGEN support program with a clear path, a tested solution, and a strong community, equipped to lead, collaborate, and regenerate from wherever you stand.
First location: Food Forest De Groene Oase
We’re excited to announce De Groene Oase in Koedijk as the first location of the REGEN support program.
This vibrant food forest is entering a new phase of growth, offering a hands-on environment where regenerative practices, entrepreneurship, and community engagement come together.
Participants at De Groene Oase will have the chance to explore ecological challenges, develop regenerative business models, and co-create solutions that benefit both the landscape and the surrounding community. All initiatives are interconnected, allowing for collaboration, shared resources, and mutual learning.
Opportunities at De Groene Oase
1. Reimagining the bramble: from “invasive” to invaluable
Large areas of the forest are covered in brambles. Instead of seeing them as a nuisance, participants can explore their hidden potential:
Culinary, medicinal, and ecological uses of brambles and bramble wood
Regenerative management strategies
Biodiversity and soil health research
Community-focused value chains and open-access business models
The bramble becomes a living test case for turning abundance into community value.
4. Building partnerships with local hospitality partners
The forest offers opportunities to connect with local hospitality partners:
Mapping and approaching hospitality partners
Co-creating tasting events, workshops, tours, and seasonal ingredient collaborations
Designing hospitality-oriented activities that emphasize local regenerative food
Developing business models supporting both the forest and the local food economy
This area combines entrepreneurship, networking, and ecological storytelling.
3. Professionalizing food forest management
As De Groene Oase matures, structured stewardship is essential:
Volunteer coordination systems
Seasonal management plans
Training and stewardship materials
Regenerative governance and decision-making models
Sustainable operational plans supporting long-term resilience
Participants help build a scalable model for community-run food forests.
Photo by Restaurant Neder Alkmaar
2. Unlocking the potential of nut trees
The forest hosts many mature nut trees with untapped potential:
Mapping species and understanding their ecological role
Designing community-based harvesting systems
Experimenting with processing (cracking, drying, preserving)
Educational or seasonal experiences
Developing regenerative business models aligned with open-access principles
This area highlights how collective abundance can support shared value creation.
Photo by Tom Hermans on Unsplash
5. Educational collaborations with schools & learning institutions
De Groene Oase provides a rich setting for outdoor and nature-based learning:
Nature-based learning modules and workshops
Creative and ecology-focused educational activities
Programs for youth and community engagement
Service-oriented models supporting educational partners
Participants can help shape learning experiences rooted in regeneration and stewardship.
Practical Information
Date: From March 2026
As soon as a pilot location has three participants we will start the program.
You can still join once the program on your preferred location has started.
You can join the We Are Changemakers community and volunteer at The Groene Oase any time.
Duration: 8 months
Cost:
€4.000 (excl. VAT) one-time fee
€30 (excl. VAT) per month for access to the We Are Changemakers online community and learning platform