The Wageningen UR research project proposal 'Agriculture and green spaces for a healthy environment' has won the prestigious ‘Sprongprijs’ award. Presented by the Dutch National Initiative for Sustainable Development (NIDO), this annual award is granted to a research proposal judged to have major potential in the field of sustainable development. The award ceremony took place on 22 October in the Beurs van Berlage building in Amsterdam as part of the 'Crossing the thinkable: making sustainable innovation work' conference. The NIDO will now provide financial support towards the realisation of Jan Hassink’s proposal (Wageningen UR) to the tune of 500,000 euros.

The 'Agriculture and green spaces for a healthy environment' research proposal is geared towards the contribution that ‘agriculture and green spaces in and around the city’ are able to make to the social, mental and physical health of human beings. Many people with health problems benefit from staying and working on a farm with animals or plants. At the same time, many agricultural companies are looking to establish a more sustainable basis for their operations.

Hassink’s proposal aims to bridge the huge gap between the social service and agricultural sectors by cooperating with different groups of interested parties. In the process, he also intends to build up a professional knowledge network. A genuine breakthrough is possible when the direct link between productive agriculture and psychological healthcare will be established.

The jury found that the proposal is in tune with social trends and current developments, stating that: "The (un)healthiness of people and the future of agriculture are vital issues in today’s society." It also applauded the way the proposal brought different parties together. With the scientific support in place, the jury anticipated both green and care projects would be addressed in a focused manner.

In the execution of the proposal, partners from the agriculture, care, labour & welfare and construction sectors plus social organisations, researchers, industry, professionals from the field, policy employees and civilians will cooperate and learn from each other.

The proposal will involve Wageningen UR working with many parties in agriculture, green space and healthcare such as the Landelijk Centrum Opbouwwerk, Landelijk Steunpunt Landbouw en Zorg, Innovatienetwerk Groene Ruimte en Agrocluster, Stichting Kinderboerderijen Nederland, de Vereniging van Zorgboeren, Stichting Omslag en LTO advies Groenforum, Hoge Woerd, the University of Maastricht, the University of Utrecht, Rotterdam and Amsterdam councils, and FORUM.