Onwards to a well-being economy | Our 2023 highlights

At Amsterdam Impact, we are proud to play a pivotal role in connecting entrepreneurs, policymakers, and communities to accelerate progress. Here’s a look back at the moments that defined our journey in 2023 and how they contribute to a future that puts people and the planet first.

Dive into our highlights and discover how we have worked together to create a fairer, more sustainable world.

January: The Circular Innovation Collective, funded by Amsterdam Impact, DOEN Foundation, and Goldschmeding Foundation, aims to bring systemic change to the regional textile sector and create new jobs. In 2023 the organisation launched a new approach to help the Amsterdam Metropolitan Area achieve 70% circular textiles by 2030. Learn more.

March and May: As co-hosts of the SEWF23 event series, we welcomed participants to the online SEWF Youth Forum for young change-makers (28 March) and SEWF Policy Forum for policymakers and experts (24 May).

Hundreds of young changemakers gathered for the SEWF Youth Forum to learn from each other, exchange ideas, and build networks. Designed by and for young changemakers, including the SEWF Youth Advisory Group, the forum saw over 750 young social entrepreneurs share their stories of success and failure within the sector. They conversed about climate change, mobilizing marginalized communities, and the power of youngsters. 

The SEWF Policy Forum is a global annual flagship event that brings together social entrepreneurs, policymakers, investors, academics, and other impact-led professionals to strengthen impact entrepreneurship and encourage systemic change.

June: We launched updated versions of our conscious shopping routes – one for each Amsterdam district and city area Weesp. Browse the routes in English or Dutch.

September: We announced the Impact Deals – part of the EU Local Green Deals project – developed by eight Amsterdam-based SMEs that aim to create more impact. Explore the deals.

October: We co-hosted SEWF23, the world’s largest impact entrepreneurship event, with Social Enterprise NL and Social Enterprise World Forum. Nearly 1,800 participants from 82 countries joined us in Amsterdam and online to explore five themes: ecosystems, fairness, migration, new economy, and planet. Read the event report and watch the recap video.

November: Amsterdam’s city council approved Strengthening Amsterdam’s Innovation and Impact Ecosystems (2023-2026), a plan building on the work Amsterdam Impact and StartupAmsterdam have done over the last 9 years. Learn more.