Regenerative economy - Stichting DOEN

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My DOEN

My DOEN

European Seaweed Association

Regenerative economy

Under the umbrella of its Regenerative economy theme, DOEN is working towards a system that not only reduces harm to nature and society but actively contributes to their recovery. Interest in this theme increased in 2025, even as conditions grew more challenging. Declining sustainability ambitions and scarcer funding are making things harder for impact-driven entrepreneurs. We continue to support these pioneers. We funded 45 projects in 2025, from Dutch pioneers to international partners.

European Seaweed Association
The European Seaweed Association developed North Sea Farm #1, a seaweed farm located within an offshore wind farm in the North Sea. This initiative demonstrates how seaweed cultivation can contribute to biodiversity, carbon sequestration, and sustainable alternatives to conventional materials.

Building the blue economy

The regenerative blue economy was a key priority in 2025. The sector is in its infancy but holds great promise for ocean restoration and presents new economic opportunities. We’ve put together a portfolio of nine partners, including the European Seaweed Association, which is working to develop a sustainable seaweed sector in Europe. And pioneers are developing new applications; for example, Zeefier produces sustainable seaweed-based textile dyes.

Read more about the blue economy
NoWa
NoWa creates jewellery from gold and silver recovered from old mobile phones. In doing so, the company demonstrates how electronic waste can be transformed into valuable raw materials.

Sustainable products for everyone

Many sustainable entrepreneurs find it difficult to scale up in a market where green still isn’t the norm. In 2025, we focused more specifically on initiatives that make eco-friendly products accessible to a wider group of people. The Fair Future Challenge gave Dutch start-ups and scale-ups a boost to help them break into the consumer market. Five winners received €100,000 each, along with widespread media coverage.

We’ve also invested in two Fair Future Challenge participants: NoWa and Food for Skin. They’re showing that sustainable alternatives can be attractive as well as accessible to a wider market.

Herenboeren is een coöperatief landbouwmodel waarbij groepen burgers samen een boerderij oprichten en een boer in dienst nemen om voedsel voor te verbouwen. Door samen een boerderij te beheren, weten ze precies waar hun eten vandaan komt. Dit zorgt voor een eerlijke, lokale en duurzame manier van landbouw.
Mark van Stokkom

Focusing on circular business practices

Circular business practices remained an important area of concern. We learned more about construction initiatives in the Netherlands and supported solutions to the growing electronic waste problem in East Africa. We’re using the insights gained in our continued efforts to promote what we call circularity by design – developing products and systems with a focus on materials reuse and conservation.

De BosBoerderij
De BosBoerderij uses a nature-based approach to farming that strengthens soil health and biodiversity. Working with landowners, the organisation is introducing this approach across the Netherlands while training farmers in these regenerative farming practices.

Learning and growing together

The transition to a regenerative economy requires cooperation and knowledge sharing. In 2025, we actively sought dialogue with other funds and investors. By sharing experiences and working together, we can strengthen individual initiatives as well as the broader push towards a regenerative economy.

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