In 2006 Pakhuis de Zwijger, a former refrigerated warehouse on the Piet Heinkade, opened its doors as a platform for social innovation & creation. We started creating programmes and projects focused on the city, our country and the world of tomorrow. Over the past 15 years, we have grown into a unique national and global platform that focuses on bringing people together and realising projects that contribute to the development of a more sustainable, fair and future-proof society.

Pakhuis de Zwijger is an accessible, independent and safe public meeting space for everyone. A contemporary ’talking house’ with a strong online media presence that focuses on dialogue as a form of conversation. A place where together we formulate ambitions and present different opinions and insights in order to arrive at creative solutions for the urgent and complex social issues of our time. Where we bring artists and designers together with scientists, policymakers, experts and citizens in all their diversity. Where together we visualise the cities and metropolises of tomorrow, test research results against the everyday practice and present technological and social innovation as alternatives to current policy and actual reality. And finally, above all, a place where we ask a lot of questions and tackle social issues as complex design assignments.

Social issues
We live in a time of great change and are in the midst of some major transitions. At a time when the scope and complexity of social and economic issues is growing, the direct links between the functioning of local, national communities and global relations, and the condition of our planet are becoming increasingly visible. We jump from one crisis into another; from the refugee crisis to the climate and energy crisis, from the nitrogen and water crisis to identity crisis and the crisis on the housing market. The global social divide is increasing, poverty and debt problems are piling up and unequal opportunities in education are getting worse.

Organising meetings and generating impact
The Pakhuis de Zwijger Foundation is a not-for-profit organisation that produces approximately 600 programmes annually together with a large number of partners. The main theme and common thread is the future of daily life. The central question is ‘What kind of city/country do we want to live in, in five, ten, twenty and thirty years’ time?’ Our programme makers bring people and organisations together, build communities of practice, set up substantive editorial boards, place creatives in a central executive role, and together with our partners create programmes to inform and inspire. We map out possible solutions and host initiatives from relevant civil societal organisations that use our platform and expertise to generate and increase their impact. We also participate in European projects, government contracts and organise and moderate processes of co-creation in the city and region. We do this in-house in the various rooms within our own building, in the two New Metropolis locations that we have set up in the ‘Nieuw-West’ and ‘Zuidoost’ districts in Amsterdam, and at other locations in the metropolitan region and country.

Bringing systems and the living world together
Pakhuis de Zwijger and the two New Metropolis branches are working on developing and building impact coalitions; bringing together governments, knowledge institutions and large companies (the systems) on the one hand, and citizens’ initiatives, social organisations, small and medium-sized enterprises and local entrepreneurs (the living world) on the other. In order to arrive at sustainable solutions for urgent social issues, these programmes link daily practices, scientific research and policies. In our programmes and activities, we invite the six stakeholder groups to enter into discussions with each other and come together to develop creative and innovative approaches.

City and country for all
Our city of Amsterdam is becoming increasingly diverse in terms of the population. Rotterdam, The Hague and Amsterdam are now all three cities without a clear majority. Something that has long been the case in many major cities, such as London, Paris and New York. Pakhuis de Zwijger is explicitly programming for this development: in the form of content, in the composition of the speakers, its own HR policy and in the choice of moderators. The starting point in our programming is making the city and the country of the future together; for all of us. Sustainable and just, prosperous, safe and healthy. With equal opportunities for all people.

Partnerships
Governments, knowledge institutes, companies, entrepreneurs, citizen initiatives and social organisations can connect to our platform and the activities of Pakhuis de Zwijger and its branches in various ways. The types of collaborations with organisations and individuals can vary from editorial board member, content and/or financial partner, to sponsor or co-producer. Or just through friendship or donations. The content and the intended impact are always paramount.

 

Aankomende programma’s
VPRO Tegenlicht special 7
Meer AI, minder mensenwerk
Vanavond in première. Hoe ziet ons werk er in de toekomst uit als AI steeds meer werk kan overnemen?
Vandaag, 20.00
Reserveer
Vrij Nederland 3
De opgeschudde wereldorde
De Avond van Vrij Nederland draait om de razendsnel veranderende verhoudingen in de wereld. Wat doen we als we niet meer op Amerika kunnen rekenen?
Vandaag, 20.00
Reserveer
Kringwijs presenteert: training voor buurtbewoners 1
Iemand Erbij
Leer hoe je het best kunt handelen in een crisissituatie met uiteenlopende problematiek.
Morgen, 09.30
Fotokroniek 109
Jan Dirk van der Burg
Tijdens deze aflevering van Fotokroniek presenteert Jan Dirk van der Burg zijn nieuwe fotoboek ‘Waar wil je me hebben?'.
Morgen, 20.00
Reserveer
Film screening & discussion
A night of Syrian stories, solidarity & hope
Screening of the film 'For Sama'. How can we stand with Syrians rebuilding their future? Together with Waad al-Kateab.
ma 7 apr, 19.30
Reserveer
Gekaapt door het kapitaal 1
Het kapitaal en de klas
Commerciële belangen krijgen meer en meer greep op ons onderwijs. Hoe kunnen we dat stoppen?
ma 7 apr, 20.00
Reserveer
BioBlitz 1
BioBlitz: Samen uit vogelen
Kom BioBlitzen op het Marineterrein en help jouw stad vergroenen! Deze keer spotten we vogelsoorten in de vroege morgen.
wo 9 apr, 07.00
Reserveer
Tegenlicht Meet Up 253
Game of drones
Wat betekent het wanneer we automatische wapensystemen zo’n grote rol geven in beslissingen over leven en dood?
wo 9 apr, 20.00
Reserveer
Kringwijs presenteert: training voor buurtbewoners 2
Iemand Erbij
Leer hoe je het best kunt handelen in een crisissituatie met uiteenlopende problematiek.
vr 11 apr, 09.30
Land van Ons presenteert
Van monocultuur naar natuurinclusieve landbouw
Hoe brengen we meer leven in de landbouw? Een filmdag met drie inspirerende documentaires over hoe het wél kan.
vr 11 apr, 14.00
Koop kaarten
Ruimte! Ruimte! Ruimte!
Dringen in het Noordzeekanaalgebied
Hoe verdelen we de ruimte slim om het toch al overvolle Noordzeekanaalgebied toekomstbestendig te maken?
ma 14 apr, 19.30
Reserveer
Designing Technology for All x FemData 3
Shaping the future of AI
How can we influence AI to ensure it benefits society? We explore how EU regulations and grassroots initiatives can shape the impact of AI.
ma 14 apr, 20.00
Reserveer
Filmvertoning en nagesprek
Blauwe ballen en andere verkrachtingsmythes
Wegens succes een tweede vertoning van de film gemaakt door Sunny Bergman. Als zoveel vrouwen seksueel geweld meemaken, wie zijn dan diegenen die hen dat aan doen?
ma 14 apr, 20.00
Volgeboekt
De Architect x PDZ
Vakmanschap van vroeger voor straks
Traditioneel vakmanschap maakt een comeback. We gaan in gesprek over bouwen met bakstenen en bio-based materialen.
di 15 apr, 20.00
Reserveer
Biodiversity X Finance
Groene landbouw, rode cijfers
Hoe kunnen financiële innovaties de transitie naar natuurinclusieve landbouw versnellen?
di 15 apr, 20.00
Reserveer
NJi x PDZ
Ravijnjaar 2026
In 2026 moeten gemeenten ruim 2 miljard bezuinigen. Hoe kunnen ze hierin de juiste keuzes maken met het oog op het sociaal domein?
wo 16 apr, 19.30
Reserveer
Universiteit Leiden x PdZ
Conflictoplossing door rechter of overheid
Bij wie kan de burger terecht om conflicten op te lossen?
wo 16 apr, 20.00
Reserveer
EIT Culture & Creativity presents
Investing in Europe’s Creative Future
Explore where Europe's Cultural and Creative sector meets impact investment and new understandings of entrepreneurship.
do 17 apr, 09.30
Reserveer
Amsterdamse Architectuurprijs 2025
Bottom-up opdrachtgeverschap
Projecten met directe samenwerking tussen architect en gebruiker.
do 17 apr, 19.30
Reserveer
Unieboek | Het Spectrum x PdZ
Gelukkig Gelabeld
AD(H)D, autisme, depressie, angststoornis – steeds meer mensen hebben een label. Wat zegt dat over ons en onze maatschappij?
do 17 apr, 20.00
Reserveer
In de spotlight