On Thursday 28 May 2026, the HZ Knowledge Centre for Entrepreneurship and Innovation will present the HZ Changemaker Award for the third time. You can nominate the next changemaker.
Are you or do you know a student, alumnus, lecturer or employee of HZ who is making a difference? Nominate him or her using this form.
HZ Changemakers …
- … contribute to HZ's social mission in a particularly entrepreneurial way
- … take positive action based on their passion
- … work together and forge connections with others
- … realise creative, sustainable solutions in the context of broad prosperity, within Zeeland and beyond
HZ Changemaker Event
The award will be presented during the HZ Changemaker Event “From business as usual to future-proof entrepreneurship” organised by HZ Knowledge Centre for Entrepreneurship and Innovation (HZ KCOI).
The HZ Changemaker Event is the event where entrepreneurs, researchers, students and professionals come together to share knowledge, inspire each other and build future-proof entrepreneurship together.
Latest insights
During the event, lecturer Ageeth van Maldegem and researchers from HZ KCOI will share their latest insights in the field of social earning capacity, innovative business models, sustainable ecosystems and technological developments.
The afternoon will conclude with the presentation of the HZ Changemaker Award. This award is for a student, alumnus, lecturer or employee of HZ who contributes to the institution's social missions in an exceptionally entrepreneurial manner. Previous winners include the sustainable entrepreneurs of Ocean Ceramics and impact manager Vincent van der Veen.
Social mission
HZ's mission is to “contribute to a better world”. Its institutional plan sets out how it intends to do this: 'HZ contributes to a better world ...
- by training the professionals of the future as a personal university of applied sciences
- by working with partners to find solutions to issues in the areas of water, energy and vitality as a University of Applied Sciences
- by supporting developments in the region as a regional partner for the Zeeland delta.
Tools for lecturers and staff
HZ offers lecturers and staff various tools to help them develop lessons around the theme of 'Become a Changemaker'. You can download these here.
