6. Communication and participation

The Sounding Board Group is a club of enthusiasts who are keen to contribute ideas about sustainability policy. They give their opinion on substantive issues, neighborhood initiatives, and new developments. This group of critical thinkers brings new insights to the table. Not only are they able to reflect on substantive ideas, they are also good at gauging how the policy is received locally and have an eye for the practical and cultural fit.

In addition, there is also room for participants and other residents to share their own ideas and discuss them.

In 2024, the Biodiversity Sounding Board Group made a major contribution to the biodiversity plan. Every six weeks, the group of five residents from different villages met to discuss opportunities for biodiversity. These included adjusting mowing management, creating a herbaceous verge in Alphen, and using various plant species in projects. Even after the biodiversity plan was adopted, the group continued to actively contribute ideas, albeit with a different frequency and composition, for example in the spring campaign to exchange tiles for greenery.

Climate mayors are committed to improving the climate in their own communities. They inspire others, such as colleagues, neighbors, or associations, to live more sustainably. The Ministry of Climate and Green Growth has established the climate mayor program to support these green activists.

Dorine Epping and Cora van Ingen are the climate mayors of Land van Maas & Waal for the past and coming year. Their mission? To put Land van Maas & Waal's green story on the map. With their enthusiasm, they are committed to making a greater impact on climate issues together: "Being positive about the climate does not mean that everything is fine, but seeing the good in what is there. All the positive seeds that are planted together create a beautiful field of flowers."

The climate mayors are bringing the green story to life through a series of interviews with green initiators in the region.

In 2023, the sixth Children's Municipal Council of the municipality of West Maas en Waal took place. The theme was 'A green West Maas en Waal, that's classy!' Pupils from five schools presented their plans and then voted on the winning idea.

In 2024, the winning idea from the students at De Laak became a reality. The students wanted to do something about the litter in places where many young people gather. By pimping up trash cans in these places with fun graffiti designs, they hope to achieve the Holle Bolle Gijs effect. Young people are more inclined to throw their trash in a fun-looking trash can.

Graffiti artist Morris pimped the trash cans, which were provided by the municipality.

Several schools also visited the Grote Rivieren visitor center in 2024 . In a real test setup, children were given the opportunity to explore water in all its facets.

• What makes water "dead" or "alive"?
• How is wastewater treated?
• Have you ever looked at water through a microscope?
• Why can some aquatic animals walk on the surface of water?
• How does CO₂ work in the atmosphere?
• Why isn't sea level rising due to melting ice in the Arctic, but it is rising due to melting ice in the Antarctic? 

Students were able to experience and discover it for themselves.

Communication plays an important role in making our municipality more sustainable. By informing and inspiring residents and businesses, we raise awareness. That is the beginning of sustainable behavior. This is important, because we need everyone to work together to create a sustainable municipality.

We use various means of communication to reach as many residents as possible. The energy desk, RES Rivierenland, and AVRI also communicate extensively.

We have, among other things:

• Campaigns on energy saving, waste separation, and climate adaptation shared
• Interactive meetings and webinars held to engage residents and entrepreneurs in sustainable solutions
• Social media, press releases, municipal website, and newsletters used to share news, tips, and updates
• Posters displayed at MFAs, shops, and sports clubs
• Seeking collaboration with schools to get children excited about sustainability

Through this communication, we aim to encourage people to take action themselves. In this way, we work together to create a sustainable community. Because together, we can make a difference!