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Introduction
Why this program
About this program
Practical Information

Start date
- September 21, 2026, Campus Utrecht
- January 19, 2027, Campus Utrecht
- September 20, 2027, Campus Tilburg
Duration
3 days
Language
Dutch
Costs
€ 4050
Rankings
TIAS Executive Education is ranked #1 in the Netherlands for participant satisfaction by the Financial Times, with a score of 8.7 out of 10.

Introduction

Societal challenges are becoming increasingly complex. Climate change, digitalization, aging populations, and social inequality require fundamental changes in how public and non-profit organizations operate.

This master class teaches you how to understand, initiate, influence, and leverage societal transitions to strategically and sustainably innovate within your organization. You’ll explore why traditional innovation methods often fall short in the public sector and how an institutional and co-creative approach leads to effective changes.

Participant profile

This Societal Transitions and Innovation Master Class is specifically designed for professionals in the public and non-profit sectors who want to play an active role in organizational innovation and societal change. It is suitable for:

Policymakers and strategists within governments, NGOs, and societal organizations;
Innovation managers and change managers in the public sector;
Team and project leaders tackling complex societal challenges;
Consultants and advisors supporting organizations in transformation processes.

Average demographics
46 years | 56% women & 44% men
Average work experience
16 years

Why this program

In the three-day Societal Transitions and Innovation Master Class, you’ll gain an in-depth understanding of societal transition dynamics and the role of innovation in public and non-profit organizations.

What will the program bring you?

You will develop a keen insight into social transitions and their impact on your organization.

You will learn to design and implement strategic innovations within the public sector.

You will use co-creative processes to effectively build support.

You will manage change processes in a targeted manner and learn how to overcome resistance more effectively.

About this program

During the three-day master class, you’ll practically apply the concepts to your own transition and innovation challenge. Interactive methods based on the Harvard Case Method are used, with specially developed case studies designed for this master class.

Day 1: Understanding societal challenges

On day 1, you gain insight into the complexity of sectors and systems of which organizations are a part. Using different perspectives, you learn why these systems are so persistent and which underlying structures and practices make societal innovation difficult and challenging.

Day 2: Dynamics of transitions & innovation

Day 2 focuses on renewing systems and the roles innovation can play in this process. Rules and mindsets are often so deeply embedded in everyday work that they hinder innovation. You learn how organizations balance established routines with new initiatives, and what is needed to create room for renewal within these tensions.

Day 3: Shaping transitions

On the third day, you work on designing and co-creating societal transitions. You identify the most promising leverage points, learn how to form effective coalitions with partners, and how to provide direction to transformative strategies and development pathways.

Societal Transitions and Innovation Master Class