The National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) is an official knowledge institute of the Dutch government. We work on the basis of commissioned projects and are independent in how we do our work. The course of our work is guided by our strategy, which is determined every five years on the basis of new developments in society. The RIVM2030 strategy consists of a mission, vision, core values and strategic priorities.
Our mission
RIVM stands for a healthy population in a sustainable, safe and healthy environment for current and future generations.
Our vision
RIVM achieves impact by connecting science to practice and policy. We offer advice based on scientific knowledge and research, we coordinate prevention programmes, and we stand ready to act in times of crisis. Within RIVM and beyond, we work with organisations and people with various areas of expertise and backgrounds. Together, we are RIVM and we work in a safe and learning organisation.
Our core values
- independence
- expertise
- reliability
Our core tasks
As a knowledge institute of the government:
- We advise the national government and other government bodies, as well as professionals and citizens.
Requests for advice or research can be submitted to RIVM by or via regional, national or international government bodies. Professionals, businesses and citizens cannot submit such requests directly. - We implement prevention programmes.
- We monitor public health, diseases, and quality of nature and the human environment.
- We contribute to preventing, combating and controlling incidents and crises.
- To that end, we conduct scientific research and collect, clarify and share the available scientific knowledge.
In line with our mission and vision, over the next five years we will be focusing particular attention on these five strategic priorities:
Impact-oriented approach
Our work is determined by societal challenges, thus increasing our impact.
We work according to an impact-oriented approach. This is achieved by conducting research to identify potentially relevant signals, formulating clearly articulated questions, and introducing focus in the commissioned assignments. This is how our RIVM-wide knowledge and expertise contributes as effectively as possible to societal challenges.
Wherever possible, RIVM projects are part of a broader multi-year programme. By working in broader programmes, we reinforce mutual cooperation and division of labour and intensify our work’s impact on societal challenges.
Connecting science, policy and practice
We strengthen our foundation of scientific knowledge. Knowledge is communicated effectively with policy-makers, professionals and private citizens, so they can make evidence-informed decisions.
We strengthen our foundation of knowledge. In order to continue performing our tasks as reliable and independent experts, we will further strengthen our foundation of scientific knowledge in the years to come, incorporating new scientific methods, techniques and disciplines in our work. This is necessary for our work on complex, multidisciplinary, cross-centre and cross-domain challenges.
We strengthen our advisory contributions by reinforcing the connection between science, policy and practice based on our role. This is achieved through knowledge synthesis and vital RIVM research to support these activities. This takes place in collaboration and coordination with relevant knowledge institutes and stakeholders outside RIVM. In doing so, we contribute to evidence-informed policy and practice. We ensure proper strategic timing for our knowledge products in relation to societal and political developments. In addition, we involve citizen perspectives in our work, for example through citizen science.
National & international collaboration
We pursue structural and strategic collaboration with national and international partners.
We pursue structural and strategic collaboration with our knowledge and implementation partners. As an organisation, we choose partnerships where our added value is greatest. In that context, we ensure efficient and effective divisions of roles and tasks.
Guided by quality
Quality is what RIVM stands for. Coherent policy to achieve and monitor quality is a visible part of our culture and methods.
We ensure a functional and coherent RIVM-wide policy on quality. This policy is visible and easy to find within RIVM and beyond, is maintained, and is supported, used and applied by all staff members.
Learning organisation
In order to respond to and anticipate changes in society, science and implementation, RIVM is a continual learning organisation.
We work together to build a safe and learning organisation at all levels. Together, we are collectively responsible for a working environment that is socially and psychologically safe. There is room to experiment, reflect, take each other to task about behaviour, recognise different opinions and perspectives, make mistakes and learn from them.