The Energiesprong movement began in the Netherlands. While the original Market Development Team (MDT) is no longer active, their pioneering work laid the foundation for what has since grown into a global initiative. The team’s approach, mindset, and market-shaping strategies continue to inspire and guide efforts around the world.
The Energiesprong movement in the Netherlands began with a bold ambition: deeply renovate the housing stock while making the market lead the way. Backed by €40 million in government funding, the goal was to unlock scalable, market-driven innovation. This gave rise to the Energiesprong approach—co-developed by a team of self starters: housing organisations, construction companies, and a newly formed Market Development Team.
Shared ownership was what made the movement a success from the start. The companies responsible for implementation were also responsible for solving the challenges. This created real accountability—and solutions that worked.
Key to the program’s momentum were entrepreneurial “doers” who moved fast, spoke the market’s language, and prioritized practical action over theory. Their efforts were supported by a lean, flexible freelance team with strong internal coordination and a focus on scale. Early pilots didn’t stop at one house—they laid the groundwork for thousands, proving that with the right mindset and collaboration, a systemic market shift is possible.