News item | 01-02-2024 | 07:30
A mayor has many different tasks and roles. He or she is a pivotal figure in the security domain, figurehead in times of crisis, chairman of the municipal council and council and citizen father or mother in good and bad times. The office is complex and challenging, but also very beautiful and honorable.
To support the recruitment of mayors, the Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations (BZK) has developed the mayor’s platform together with the Dutch Association of Mayors. An overview of all open mayoral vacancies is presented here, supplemented with more information and videos about the office itself.
The Mayor’s Platform is a website that is primarily aimed at attracting (potentially) interested parties for the office, informing them and ultimately making them enthusiastic about being mayor. That this is desperately needed is evident from a study commissioned by the Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations. This shows that the number of applicants decreased between 2013 and 2023. In 2016, an average of 30 people applied for the office of mayor per vacancy, but in 2023 this would have only been 18.
Minister de Jonge:
‘The office of mayor is versatile, but also demanding. For new vacancies, we always look for the most suitable person for that position. After all, different municipalities require different mayors. In order to reach as many interested people as possible and to get them interested in this wonderful profession, all information can now be found in one place. I therefore call on everyone who is enthusiastic to take a look at the mayor’s platform.’
Extensive support to make and keep the position attractive for everyone
The attractiveness of the position has been the focus of the ministry for some time. For example, the BZK has been providing subsidies for years to the Dutch Society of Mayors to organize training courses that contribute to the personal development of mayors. The ministry also finances an orientation program to help people get to know the position better and take the step to apply. Once in office, mayors are further supported in their integrity, safety and professionalism.
A look behind the scenes of sitting mayors
In addition to all current vacancies, the mayor’s platform contains personal stories of mayors who enjoy their office. This brings the office to life and visitors to the mayor’s platform get a nice look behind the scenes. The mayor’s platform can be found via mayorworden.politicaleambtsdragers.nl.