The Dutch Research Agenda (NWA) has awarded €6.8 million to a broad consortium of scientific and societal organizations, including the national government, umbrella organizations, universities, municipalities, and funding bodies. Over the coming years, they will collaborate on the research project Empowering Citizen COllectives in societal transitions (ECCO). Knowledge exchange platform CollectieveKracht will play a central role in this effort. Professor Tine De Moor, founder of CollectieveKracht and primary investigator of the project, explains: 'The consortium will develop new models, methods, and tools that promote equal cooperation between governments and citizen collectives, thereby improving mutual trust. This is an important step toward a society in which citizens and governments co-shape their living environment.'
Deel van het ECCO-consortium
The impact of citizen collectives
The Netherlands faces major societal challenges such as housing, livability, climate change, and the energy transition. At the same time, many residents feel less control over their lives and surroundings, and trust in the government is declining. In addressing these societal transitions, citizen collectives may be part of the solution, as they help communities respond and adapt to challenges and changes in their environment. In doing so, they increase the resilience of citizens.
Connecting science and society
The research project will provide citizen collectives with access to practical knowledge and skills through digital and analog tools. The new scientific insights will highlight the value, credibility, and impact of citizen collectives for governments, including in the long term.
'Thanks to this grant, an highly expert and engaged group of fellow researchers and societal partners can support the citizen collective movement even more effectively. ECCO equips citizen collectives with the tools they need to tackle future challenges in housing, care, and sustainability.'
Tine De Moor, primary investigator ECCO
About NWA-ORC
A total of 14 projects received funding under the program line Research along Routes by Consortia (ORC) of the Dutch Research Agenda (NWA). In these projects, researchers work together with knowledge partners and societal organizations. This way, knowledge is both developed and applied to generate scientific and societal impact together.
ECCO Consortium: Erasmus University Rotterdam, Utrecht University, Delft University of Technology, University of Groningen, The Hague University of Applied Sciences, Leiden University
Association of Netherlands Municipalities (VNG), Buurkracht, City of Gent, Cooplink Knowledge network Housing cooperatives, Council for Public Organisation (ROB), Energie Samen, Febecoop/Belgium, GEN NL - Ecodorpen, Humanitas, International Association for the Study of the Commons (IASC), Knarrenhof Foundation, LaNSCO, LSA Bewoners, Ministry of Climate and Green Growth (MinKGG), Ministry of Housing and Spatial Planning (MinVRO), Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations (MinBZK), Municipality of Amsterdam, Municipality of Rotterdam, Municipality of The Hague, National Platform for Neighbourhood Oriented Management (LPB), National Cooperative Council (NCR), Netherlands Enterprise Agency, Duurzaam Door program (RVO-DD), Social Impact Fund Rotterdam, Sociale Vraagstukken Journal (SV), Voor Goed Agency