The SustainaBul
Since 2012, the SustainaBul has been the annual sustainability ranking of Dutch higher education institutions organised by Studenten voor Morgen. Participating institutions are assessed using a questionnaire divided into various themes, which over the past two years have been based on the Whole School and Whole University Approach.
Through the SustainaBul, Studenten voor Morgen is working to make tertiair education even more sustainable. This is because institutions are motivated both by competition and by sharing the knowledge they have gained.
Over the years, SustainaBul has grown to become the largest project organised by SvM and is unique in its kind. Nowhere else is this type and scale of classification initiated and carried out entirely by students. Building on this foundation, SustainaBul is working to make Dutch tertiary education more sustainable.
Results 2026: Van Hall Larenstein University of Applied Sciences wins the SustainaBul!
For the fifteenth time, Studenten voor Morgen has investigated which university of applied sciences or university is actually doing to create a sustainable institution. In 2026, 33 universities of applied sciences and research universities were assessed by more than 40 rankers on their sustainability performance. The rankers consisted of sustainability coordinators from educational institutions and students. The ranking process takes place in rounds, during which educational institutions can submit information, receive feedback on it, and then share additional information for the final assessment.
This year, Studenten voor Morgen has moved away from a full ranking system to a gold, silver and bronze classification, in order to encourage collaboration rather than competition over minor differences. Still, the top three have been announced, with Van Hall Larenstein University of Applied Sciences emerging as the overall winner for the fifth year running, followed by VU University Amsterdam in second place and Wageningen University & Research in third. In addition, the Best Practice award was presented to Breda University of Applied Sciences for its ‘BUas as a zoöp’ initiative. Finally, HAS Green Academy received a new award for best accelerator.
Take a look at the Benchmark Report for a full overview of SustainaBul 2026! You’ll also find more information about the ranking process there.
Future SustainaBul
From 2027, the SustainaBul HO will no longer be organised by Studenten voor Morgen. This project will be taken over by Leren voor Morgen. Leren voor Morgen is already actively involved with the SustainaBul in primary education and vocational education. They are committed to further professionalising the SustainaBul HO and to involving students’ voices in the ranking process.
SustainaBul winners 2012-2026
- 2026: Van Hall Larenstein University of Applied Sciences
- 2025: Van Hall Larenstein University of Applied Sciences
- 2024: Van Hall Larenstein University of Applied Sciences
- 2023: Van Hall Larenstein University of Applied Sciences
- 2022: Van Hall Larenstein University of Applied Sciences
- 2021: Wageningen University & Research
- 2020: Van Hall Larenstein University of Applied Sciences
- 2019: Eindhoven University of Technology
- 2018: Eindhoven University of Technology
- 2017: Wageningen University & Research
- 2016: Wageningen University & Research
- 2015: Wageningen University & Research
- 2014: Wageningen University & Research
- 2013: Wageningen University & Research
- 2012: Maastricht University
