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Author: Manouk Weterings

Bureau Burgerberaad

Bureau Burgerberaad‘s dream is a democracy in which politicians and residents work together to solve tough issues and shape the future together. Citizens’ councils play a crucial role in this – provided they are done well.

With support from Stichting Goeie Grutten, Bureau Burgerberaad is researching, on the one hand, the needs of non-attached residents of a (municipal) citizens’ council to be involved and what is the best form for that. And on the other, how to make it easier for municipalities to do so.

Energiebank Nederland

Energiebank Nederland is fighting for an inclusive energy transition. Their goal is to reach 150,000 households struggling to pay their energy bills with sustainable solutions in 3 years (2024-2026). Energiebank Nederland supports the 12 local Energy Banks in their work. Through expertise, materials, training and a national network.

Energiebank NL will make its locally acquired knowledge and experience available to all existing and new local energy banks. This knowledge will be anchored in uniform, thorough training. This will ensure that the impact of energy coaches with vulnerable households is even greater.

EDRi

The European Digital Rights network (EDRi) is a collective of 50+ NGOs, experts, lawyers and academics who are all working to protect and advance digital rights in Europe (and beyond).

With support from SGG, EDRi can expand its work against spyware, encryption threats and other disproportionate state surveillance that impacts human rights and democratic principles.

This includes a special focus on groups such as journalists, whistleblowers, human rights defenders and racialised and marginalised groups, who have been systematically over-guarded and discriminated against.

Gelderland of Tomorrow

The 3-year Gelderland of Tomorrow programme recently concluded. On Thursday 12 September 2024, the final results were proudly presented. During this programme, 132 Gelderland entrepreneurs (supervised by Greendish) from the hospitality, care, catering and retail sectors worked on making their food supply more sustainable with the focus: less food waste and a higher share of vegetable versus animal proteins in the supply.

In Jan 2022, we started recruiting participants. In July 2024, we completed the programme with the last participants. In total, we worked with 153 participants, supervised 132 of them intensively and received from 121 all the data on which the results are based.

Together, we saved 1.7 mln kg of CO2eq from 121 participants. In addition, 114,681 KG of food saved from the dustbin, collectively saving participants 802,764 euros. A great result!

New Mensa Mensa neighbourhood kitchen officially opened – Healthy and affordable meals for all

It is with great enthusiasm that we celebrate the opening of Mensa Mensa, a neighbourhood kitchen with an important mission: to make healthy, sustainable and affordable meals available to everyone in the neighbourhood. This wonderful initiative allows local residents to come together, build new friendships and enjoy a nutritious meal for just €1.50 per person.

Mensa Mensa is committed to meeting, health and community. By eating and spending time together, neighbourhood connections are strengthened and the initiative contributes to an inclusive and healthy society.

To make this low price possible, a crowdfunding campaign is now running: https://crowdfunding.voorjebuurt.nl/nl/activities/details/funding/3570/help-18000.

with every donation, you not only help keep the price per meal affordable, but also support meetings and social cohesion in the neighbourhood. Already with a small contribution, you contribute to a healthier neighbourhood and make a big difference for many.

Goeie Grutten is proud of this initiative and looks forward to the impact Mensa Mensa will have on the health and well-being of the neighbourhood. Together, we are working towards a better, connected society!

Welcome Eveline!

Jacqueline Detiger stepped down from our board after almost eight years and, with all her knowledge and background in philanthropy, has made a huge contribution to where the foundation is today. She confidently hands over the baton to Eveline Maas.

Eveline brings extensive experience in sustainability, philanthropy and impact investing. With her broad network and expertise, she will help us further professionalise our projects and make impactful connections within our focus areas. As Eveline herself says: ‘Making connections is in my DNA.’

Tech & Society Summit 2024: Together for a righteous future

Marieke attended the Tech & Society Summit, where she and 450 other participants explored the role of civil participation in technology policy. EU representatives, journalists and civil society organisations stressed the importance of technological solutions putting people, democracy and the planet at the centre. Key lessons included the risks of a technological focus on the climate crisis and the need for care and social protection.