Organisation profile
The Louis Bolk Institute conducts research to develop knowledge on sustainable agriculture, nutrition and health, for and together with practitioners. Founded in 1976, the foundation is located in Bunnik and employs around 70 staff in its various areas of research. Major clients include the Dutch Ministries of LNV and VWS, provinces, municipalities, water boards, the European Commission, site management organisations, health and welfare organisations, nature organisations and various funds. For more information, see our brochure for policymakers, financing organisations and clients (in Dutch).
Our objective, as set out in the statutes, is to promote knowledge development for organic and sustainable agriculture, nature, nutrition and health care, holistically, in a way that respects the integrity of life. See our mission and vision.
The Louis Bolk Institute is a non-profit organisation that has a PBO status (Public Benefit Organisation), with RSIN 005182736. The standard form with information related to the foundation's PBO (ANBI) status is publicly available.
Research quality
In its independent evaluation of the Louis Bolk Institute's research quality over the 2018–2023 period, Technopolis concludes:
- The Louis Bolk Institute delivers high-quality research.
- The knowledge that is being developed has economic and societal impact.
- The independent research institute is in good shape with regard to its finances, staff and organisation.
- In terms of its research, there are many opportunities in the fields of sustainable agriculture, food and human health.
The assessment by Technopolis was part of the Ministry of LNV's consideration of granting the Louis Bolk Institute the multi-annual SBO subsidy (i.e. the strategic key research programme). Technopolis is a research and consultancy agency specialised in policy assessments in the fields of science, technology and innovation. The assessment was commissioned by LNV to evaluate the Louis Bolk Institute in 2023, according to the criteria under the SBO subsidy regulation. Read Technopolis' assessment report (in Dutch).
General management
The Louis Bolk Institute is managed by Chief Executive Officer Ilse Geijzendorffer.
Supervisory Board
The Supervisory Board supervises the policies pursued by the general management and determines remunerations, annual budget and the foundation's management report. The members of the Supervisory Board are:
- M.H.C. Komen (Rien)
- P.V. Jeurink (Prescilla)
- S.M.C.A. Joha- van Abswoude (Saskia)
- S.E. Mager (Sander)
Positions and ancillary positions
An overview of all the positions and ancillary positions of the members of the Supervisory Board and General Management of the Louis Bolk Institute can be found here (in Dutch).
Financial compensation
The members of the Supervisory Board receive an annual financial compensation of EUR 5,306. The Chair receives EUR 7,958. The Supervisory Board's annual financial compensation is indexed to the salary levels within the organisation. The current financial compensation refers to the 2023 level.
Employees receive individual remunerations for their work in accordance with the Labour regulations of the Louis Bolk Institute, which include its remuneration policy and salary scales. According to Article 5.4 of the Statutes, the Supervisory Board determines the salary and other terms of employment of the Chief Executive Officer.
Accountability
For an overview of the highlights of our research projects and an interview with the Chief Executive Officer and the Chair of the Supervisory Board, see the Annual Report 2023 (in Dutch).
Here, you can download Management Report 2023 (in Dutch) for the annual figures and their explanation.
Louis Bolk
The research institute was named after Louis Bolk (1866–1930), Professor of Human Anatomy at the University of Amsterdam and biologist at Artis Amsterdam Royal Zoo. He was mainly concerned with human evolution. When founded in 1976, the basis of the Louis Bolk Institute was anthroposophical health care. This was later expanded to include biodynamic agriculture, followed by a period with a focus on organic farming. Over the past decades, clients and partners have recognised and acknowledged the institute's active role in more sustainable agriculture, nutrition and health. Lasting values are a holistic approach, systems change and inquisitiveness.
Louis Bolk: ‘How much broader would our interpretation of life be, if we were able to look at it through a reducing lens.’
Researchers at the Louis Bolk Institute study society and the human environment by looking through both a reducing and a magnifying lens.