Our Green Team Intern Theodoros Shares Experiences from The Power of Transdisciplinary

There Are Always Opportunities for Learning...

ELIA Green Team Intern, Theodoros Dimitrios Vougioukas, represented ELIA at an event hosted by EWUU Community, focusing on the key role that transdisciplinary collaboration can play in shaping brighter, more inclusive futures for all.  

On 3 April 2025, ELIA participated in the EWUU Community event The Power of Transdisciplinary. The event brought together members of the EWUU community and other organisations from across the Netherlands to celebrate the transformative power of transdisciplinary collaboration in driving societal transitions and fostering eco-resilient futures for all. 

Attendees had the opportunity to visit stands, learn more about a range of inspiring EWUU Community projects, and engage with organisations from diverse fields.  Discussions on the Main Stage further enriched participants' awareness and knowledge of the topic. 

A key highlight of the event was the launch of the Dutch National Expertise Centre for Transdisciplinary Working (Nationaal Expertise Centrum TRansdisciplinair werk- NECTR), a platform for knowledge exchange, training opportunities in transdisciplinary collaboration, and the initiation of impactful projects to support societal transitions. I attended the event to connect these broader developments with ELIA's existing work and partnership on two green projects: CrAFt- Creating Actionable Futures and Cultuur & Campus Putselaan. Both projects combine creativity, inter- and transdisciplinary education and research, and community engagement, forming a promising model for sustainable transitions in European cities. The event allowed me to connect with various organisations and networks outside of our usual circle, such as the Institute for Preventive Health (IP4H), which is dedicated to promoting higher health standards and extending the lifespan of the Dutch population 

As often happens, I gained much more than I expected. A board game designed for children aged 8–12, along with playful activities like using a finger trap, helped me experience firsthand the core values of transdisciplinary collaboration: finding common ground, building team goals, adapting to unexpected challenges, considering the environmental impact of our actions, and learning from our mistakes. These experiences reinforce how ELIA can maximise the benefits of interdisciplinary collaboration. 

The event also showcased effective ways to facilitate an open, playful environment that encourages both physical and mental connection among attendees. Instead of a formal introductory speech, we engaged in an activity where we wore headphones and listened to live trumpet music, helping us settle into the event in a harmonious way. We were also encouraged to physically connect by holding hands and exchanging smiles before starting conversations. 

Finally, a point for reflection: I noticed that there were no cultural networks or representatives from art schools present, apart from ELIA. This raises an important question: how can we, as organisations that value the arts and their transformative role, play a more significant part in the future of transdisciplinary and cross-sectoral collaboration for societal transitions toward more eco-resilient futures?