Golf residence Dronten is one of the citizens’ initiatives studied by governance expert Rosalie van Dam. Photo: Lahaye Architekt
So says governance expert Rosalie van Dam in her thesis Bonding by Doing. ‘Sometimes the government has very little confidence in citizens’ initiatives. The government says the citizens should take the initiative themselves, but its actions do not match its words. All too often the government wants things done its own way exactly.’
‘If you really want to see citizens’ initiatives, you’ve got to let people do things their own way,’ adds Van Dam. ‘If you don’t, citizens’ initiatives deteriorate into no more than citizen participation.’ In this case the citizens get to participate but the government keeps firm hold of the reins. For her study Van Dam scrutinized 17 citizens’ initiatives and self-organizing groups. These ranged from groups such as Mooi Wageningen, which aims at creating a more attractive landscape, to Golfresidentie Dronten, which has developed its own golf resort.
Citizens’ initiatives often stem from a combination of idealism and dissatisfaction. Citizens look for kindred spirits and set to work. Making connections is the key to success, Van Dam’s work shows. ‘The more you enter into relationships with other parties, the more successful you are, on the whole.’ And the government is often an important partner in this. ‘If the initiative is about designing the living environment, it is often the government that owns the land.’
The more you enter into relationships with other parties, the more successful you are, on the whole.
Rosalie van Dam
But the government does not hand over the reins lightly. In practice, this often means citizens’ initiatives just have to adapt to what the government wants. You could call that slavish and subservient, says Van Dam, or you could call it smart and strategic. In some cases citizens’ initiatives turn into a kind of ‘surrogate government’. On the other hand, citizens’ initiatives which go down a different route are often treated as irrelevant or a nuisance.
Van Dam denies that citizens’ initiatives are largely the preserve of highly educated groups of people. ‘It’s not like that in reality. The citizens’ initiatives I studied often have a very social focus. They make an effort to include vulnerable groups. Everyone contributes what they can. You also need people who are prepared to roll up their sleeves.’