Province of Drenthe establishes participation policy
In line with the coalition agreement Together we build Drenthe and the desire for inclusive governance, the Provincial Executive has established a Participation Policy Framework. The province is already working intensively with residents, organizations, and partners. This framework helps to organize participation earlier, clearer, and more accessibly. This makes it easier for everyone to participate at the right time. The Provincial States will discuss the policy framework this fall.
Making choices together
“We do not make policy only for, but especially with society,” says Deputy Egbert van Dijk. “With this policy framework, we indicate in advance what space there is for thinking along and participating. We want to really listen, also to those who are less quickly heard. And we are honest about what we do with the input, or why we sometimes make a different consideration. This requires us as a government to be close, curious, and realistic.”
What is it about?
The Participation Policy Framework:
- shows when and why the province uses participation;
- prevents participation from happening too late or only for show;
- ensures that the approach fits the topic and the situation;
- makes it clear in advance what participants can and cannot expect;
- gives more space to ideas from residents themselves;
- helps the organization to continue learning and improving where necessary.
Learning and improving together
Residents and social organizations actively contributed to the development of this policy framework. Their message was clear: listen sincerely, be transparent about the influence people have, and show what happens with the input. Experiences from previous processes, such as the Citizens Assembly on Housing and the platform WijzijnDrenthe.nl, have also been taken into account.
