Paulien Boone | ACRONYM and Buying Back The Planet

Meet Paulien from ACRONYMS and Buying Back the Planet

“It’s literally investing in the earth – just in a very different way than most people are used to.”

Paulien Boone

Founder, ACRONYMS, Buying Back the Planet

Why are you a member of the Hub?

I’ve been a member of the Humanity Hub for several years through my consultancy, Acronyms. As a flex member, it’s a great place to work right in the centre of The Hague- but it’s much more than just a workspace.

Living in the city of peace and justice is special in itself, but The Humanity Hub really makes that tangible. It brings together a community of people who are actively working on these themes every day. That’s something you feel as soon as you walk in.

What do you like most about your organisation?

I work as an independent consultant, and I’m also the founder of Buying Back the Planet. What I love most is being able to move beyond job titles and sectors.

My work has always had a common thread: bringing people and organisations together. Whether it’s fundraising, events, or building new initiatives, I enjoy the variety and the opportunity to connect different worlds.

That diversity is what keeps it exciting. One day I’m working with policymakers, the next with grassroots organisations or building something entirely new from scratch.

What challenges do you face in your field of work?

The biggest challenge for me personally is balancing it all. I’m combining different roles, which means there are always many things happening at once. It can be intense.

At the same time, the themes of peace and justice themselves are under pressure globally. That can feel overwhelming. But it also makes spaces like the Hub even more important.

Here, you’re surrounded by people who are committed to the same values. You see action happening every day – and that creates hope. Because in the end, hope comes from action.

From idea to action

I’ve been working on sustainability and climate-related themes for a long time. But I feel like now we’re at a point where it’s crucial to make those values more concrete and tangible. Besides Acronyms, I am setting up Buying Back the Planet – and Buying Back the Planet is about doing exactly that. We’re creating a way for people to collectively invest in land and manage it together, in collaboration with local partners.

It’s literally investing in the earth – just in a very different way than most people are used to.

There’s still a lot to figure out. We’re building something that involves people entrusting us with their money to collectively purchase and manage land, that’s a big responsibility.

It means we have to be very thoughtful about how everything is structured, from governance to transparency and long-term stewardship. Those foundations really need to be solid.

It’s challenging – but also part of what makes building this so meaningful.

What are you most proud of so far?

What stands out to me is how quickly people understand the idea. When you explain it – buying land together to take care of it – it just clicks. People feel that it makes sense. That’s been really encouraging.

I’m also proud that I’ve been able to build this step by step alongside my consultancy work. It’s a busy life, but it feels important.

And now, it’s no longer just me. We have a team of four people, and there’s still space for others to join. We can use the expertise! It’s growing into something bigger – and that’s exciting.

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Humans of the Hub

The Hague Humanity Hub is at the heart of a thriving community dedicated to strengthening peace and justice. That’s what you read on our website, in our newsletter, and on our socials. But who are the individuals behind the organisations? Behind the initiatives, the research, and the actions striving for a more just and peaceful world?

Humans of the Hub takes you beyond the logos and formal titles to introduce you to the passionate people who form this unique community. It’s not just about the projects or institutions, it’s about the humans who dedicate themselves to peace and justice.