Where the government fails to do so, a group of Hilversum residents lend a helping hand

A few years ago, Allard became involved in the Area Development Agenda of the municipality of Hilversum, an invitation from the municipality to bring residents, developing parties and social organizations into contact with each other to think about the future of the municipality of Hilversum. There he meets Raoel van de Wetering.

Can’t we organize these kinds of meetings structurally, they thought. That we bring Hilversummers together to share responsibility for their own living environment as citizens. “We have developed a society based on the idea that the municipality takes control of what happens in their municipality. But they cannot do it alone,” they concluded.

Online platform

Since then, Raoel and Allard – together with the municipality – have been actively working on an online platform called Hilversummers.nl. Anyone can come here with social issues or great ideas. We believe in neighborhood participation from below, cooperation on a more beautiful Hilversum. Whatever you do, let’s do it together.

Together they gather people around them who want to join the initiative to exchange ideas and tackle projects together. “At first we only helped with small projects – think of street art on the square, later these became increasingly larger projects. The clout increased.”

The activities range from campaigns against climate change and violence to large murals, such as the Mus op de Riebeeck, and sports activities for young people. “All initiatives from society that we offer a stage. We ensure that the strengths of residents are bundled.”

Because the municipality also sees how much Allard and Raoel can achieve with the team Hilversummers, they also ask them and the members of the platform in March of this year to think about solutions for the reception of Ukrainians.

Together they take on the coordination. For example, they ensure that people who register as volunteers end up at the reception locations and that donated items are distributed among refugees. They are now also active in the reception of Syrians and language lessons for refugees from different countries.

Goodwill and energy

“Everything is done from goodwill and energy,” says Allard. “From the desire to make Hilversum a bit more beautiful.” According to Allard, there is a lot of wealth within the municipality, but also a lot of poverty. By joining forces via the platform, they hope to close that gap to some extent. Allard spends about 60 hours a week on his volunteer job and many others with him. “It gives us positive energy.”

Allard has many plans for the platform. For example, he hopes to create a special page for young people soon. “Then we can also help them to realize plans and ideas together.” Budgets are needed to achieve that. A subsidy application has already been submitted to the municipality, but Allard is happy to appeal to the generous Hilversummer.