Socially inclusive development: getting further together

Actively involving the environment in a project is also known as participation. It is an important pillar in the Environment Act. Logical, because participation is indispensable for creating support and acceptance. By including local knowledge and insights in the process, you can prevent opposition and delay. In addition, with participation you strengthen the sense of community. “Project development is largely about creating momentum,” says Tijmen Keesmaat. “Of course you have to know what you are doing technically, but it is just as important to connect local parties to you. That way you build a project with support in the area. Cooperatives have an active role in this. They know what is going on in the neighborhood.”

Fair sharing

In participation processes, you often see the same faces. A few interest groups, a few interested residents. Whereas you want to keep a broad focus. That calls for socially inclusive development. “The premise of socially inclusive development is to share fairly the joys and burdens of a renewable energy project,” summarizes Tijmen. “In doing so, we look at the whole community. So not just the ‘usual suspects,’ but everyone – from young to old. This means using a variety of resources. Lessons at school for children, information evenings and walk-in meetings for a wide audience. A good example is a big party we organized at Windpark Krammer, the largest citizens’ initiative in the Netherlands. There, many young people from the neighborhood also experienced a fun evening.”

Staying in conversation

Directly surrounding residents of a renewable energy project have a different role. Tijmen: “With them we keep talking through, for example, a sounding board group or kitchen table talks. Preferably, we lay down together what they can participate in.” Socially inclusive development does not mean that 100% support is always achieved. “Sometimes the interests are too different. Then the highest achievable result is that opponents eventually say: if it has to be done, then with you. Because you listen and actually do something with our input.”

Finance and risk

Financial participation is an inseparable part of socially inclusive development. “If you want to share the burdens and the joys, that also means sharing the proceeds of your renewable energy project with the environment. There are various forms of financial participation, from shared ownership to bonds. Which form you choose depends in part on the financial risks you want to run. In general, the earlier you get in, the greater the value step you can take. But financial participation is also possible at a later stage. Both for cooperatives themselves and for residents.”

Staying involved

Once your project is complete, the challenge remains to keep the environment involved. This can be done, for example, by nature-inclusive development of your wind or solar farm so that it is an attractive area. “At solar farm De Blauwe Poort, we have created a ponding area with many species of plants and animals. When volunteers then take charge of nature maintenance, bonding with the park occurs. You can also think about a food forest or vegetable garden. Or an environment fund, which you can use to support sports clubs, associations and other local initiatives.

What always helps, at any stage of a project: telling and showing what you do. Tijmen: “Organize open days, even during construction. People are often very interested in that. Show your face as a cooperative. That way you create a sense of togetherness.”

GreenTrust Consultancy offers energy cooperatives support in the areas of communication, participation and environmental management. From communication advice, stakeholder management and public campaigns to setting up and supervising participation processes and member recruitment. Want to know more? Please contact Tijmen or Christine.