What is our energy story for the future? Over the past year, we have been working with citizens’ stories about energy transition in several municipalities. In Naarden-Vesting, Muiderberg, Stad aan ‘t Haringvliet and Den Helder, we collected residents’ experiences, perceptions and needs, using our Sprockler methodology. What do they think when it comes to the future heating of their homes? To what extent does the switch to renewable energy concern them? And how important do people think it is to have a say in decisions about this?
Local dialogue
The stories and data are the starting point for a conversation between residents about the future energy supply in their own area. In Muiderberg, we facilitated conversations with residents (online and physical) about the results of the Sprockler inquiry. In Stad aan ‘t Haringvliet, over 50 locals gathered during a residents’ evening at a local village centre. They discussed the stories and opinions of fellow citizens, and the patterns they saw in them. Based on this, they gave insights and recommendations to the ‘Stad Aardgasvrij’ project team and the municipality. In Den Helder, a Sprockler project is currently running and we are facilitating a local meeting in early 2023.
Citizen participation
Working with stories and using the Sprockler methodology proves to be an effective way to gain more insight into what is going on locally around a complex issue like energy transition. It also makes residents feel more heard and involved. This is another form of citizen participation: the citizen’s voice is heard, and people have a say about developments in their own municipality that are important to them.
More information?
- Read and view all outcomes in the Muiderberg Energy Story (in Dutch) and the Stad in ‘t Haringvliet Energy Story (in Dutch).
- Read more about the dialogue session in Stad aan ‘t Haringvliet in a local newspaper article (in Dutch).
- Learn about the principles, methodology and application on the Sprockler website.
- Get in touch with Han Rakels.