As a national platform, Sustainable Communities shows how villages, towns, neighborhoods, associations or working groups are working on a sustainable living environment. The online platform is a place to share knowledge and ideas and inspire each other. Meetings between communities are also organized. Anyone who wants to contribute to sustainable communities can join the platform.
Goeie Grutten Foundation supports their mission to form 1000 Sustainable Communities in 10 years.
When CSO’s want to make more impact, they often run into the same obstacles: too little time, knowledge and resources. The same applies to ProVeg, an organisation working for a more plant-based Netherlands. Thanks to a subscription from Stichting Goeie Grutten at De Nieuwe Gevers, they got the chance to work with professional volunteers. The result? More structure, visibility and, above all, more impact. We spoke to Suzanne an employee of ProVeg and marketing expert Maartje de Jong about their collaboration through De Nieuwe Gevers.
How De Nieuwe Gevers works
The New Gevers pairs civil society organisations with professionals who volunteer their time and expertise. ‘Many organisations do not have the resources to hire experts,’ explains a Stijn Tupan. ‘Through our platform, they still get access to that knowledge. This allows them to grow, work more efficiently and make more impact.’
Funds, such as Goeie Grutten, support this collaboration by funding subscriptions. This gives organisations access to a large network of experts. ‘Thanks to De Nieuwe Gevers, we can realise projects that were otherwise too complex or too expensive,’ says a ProVeg staff member.
From a good idea to a plan with impact
‘It actually started with a big issue: how do we plan our campaigns more efficiently and effectively?’ explains the employee. ‘Our campaigns, such as the Veggie Challenge, were successful, but we were often working ad hoc. We knew we needed more structure, but how?’
Through The New Gevers, they found the solution. ‘We didn’t have the resources to hire expensive consultants,’ explains the employee. ‘It was a huge godsend that we could call on experienced experts thanks to a subscription from Goeie Grutten. That’s how we came into contact with Maartje de Jong.’
‘I wanted to give something back with my knowledge’
Maartje, a marketing manager with more than 15 years’ experience, remembers how she heard about the project. ‘I wanted to give something back to society and use my knowledge where it was really needed. When I read about ProVeg and their mission, I immediately knew I wanted to do this project. A more plant-based Netherlands? I’d love to contribute to that.’
Together, they developed an annual calendar and a campaign grid. ‘We mapped which campaigns are playing when and how they can reinforce each other,’ explains Maartje. ‘We also drew up campaign plans so that the ProVeg team could get straight to work.’
Practical tools and new energy
The collaboration yielded more than just a plan. ‘It also gave us new energy,’ says the ProVeg employee. ‘It’s like we made a fresh start. Our campaigns are now much more structured and you notice it immediately in the results. The Veggie Challenge is running better than ever.’
Maartje also looks back with satisfaction. ‘It gave me great satisfaction to see how my contribution had an immediate effect. The fact that, as a professional, you can really make a difference with your knowledge is incredibly beautiful.’
Do you want to make an impact?
Like Maartje, would you like to use your talent to help a social organisation? Or would you like to donate a subscription as a fund, like Goeie Grutten did?
De Nieuwe Gevers offers plenty of opportunities to make a difference. Find out how you can contribute at De Nieuwe Gevers. Together, we will create growth and a better world!
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