Your skills, their growth: the power of De Nieuwe Gevers 

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!

Studio Plantaardig

If there’s one thing we can do directly to fight the climate crisis, it’s eat more plant-based food, and less meat, fish and dairy. The Studio Plantaardig podcast explores how we can make the switch from an animal-based to plant-based diet. What adjustments are needed? And what surprises does tomorrow’s menu have in store for us?

We Are Stewards

Steward-ownership puts the mission of companies at the centre. For entrepreneurs who want to make social impact, this model offers a sustainable alternative. With the continued support of the Goeie Grutten Foundation, We Are Stewards will have the space to continue to grow, strengthen its mission and give a strong impetus to the steward-ownership movement in the Netherlands.

IVN – Voedselbosjes

IVN Natuureducatie has already greened more than 150 schoolyards and childcare sites with Food Forests and aims to have 500 sites by 2030. In a Food Grove, children learn to grow food with perennials and experience how wealth and biodiversity go hand in hand. In this way, they build a sustainable and healthy future for children and the planet. Thanks to the continued support of Stichting Goeie Grutten, IVN can reach even more schools, childcare locations and children and continue to build on this wonderful initiative.

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.’