Stakeholder dialogue event on power of networks

The day was opened by chair Job Zomerplaag (Studio Europa Maastricht), professor Tine De Moor (Erasmus University Rotterdam), Lukas Held (CollectieveKracht) and Huib De Mulder (Rabobank).

Keynote by Dr. Thomas Bauwens

Are social networks a wall or a motor for citizen collectives?
The keynote by Dr. Thomas Bauwens highlights how social networks are building blocks for trust and common goals. He explains what bonding and bridging capital is and how connections to broader communities offer opportunities to increase the impact of citizen collectives. At the same time, he warns of the risks: sectoral organizations can strengthen this dynamic, but sometimes also unintentionally erect walls. Thomas Bauwens challenges us not only to see the barriers of social networks for inclusion and justice, but above all to focus on the possibilities to build a society together in which every voice counts and everyone can participate.

Keynote by Dr. Lise Jans

Can citizen collectives motivate individual and collective behavioral change?

In her keynote, Dr. Lise Jans explores the impact of participating in a citizen collective. Contemporary challenges require rigorous changes in our lifestyle and citizens organize themselves in collectives to realize these changes at a local level. Yet many people are not (yet) involved in a citizen collective. Do citizen collectives only represent a motivated minority? What are the psychological predictors and consequences of participating in citizen collectives? Can this network, this community within a citizen collective, motivate individual and collective behavioral change?

Breakout sessions

During this meeting, five breakout sessions explored how regional, sectoral and social networks can contribute to the strengthening and growth of these collectives, as well as the potential benefits and challenges of franchise models and scaling up. We also discussed whether smaller initiatives, like larger networks, can influence local policy. How do these networks play a vital role in creating sustainable, well-functioning communities?