The goal of Toekomstversnellers is to accelerate practical and feasible ideas with socio-economic impact in the rural areas of the Province of North Holland, contributing to one or more Provincial Program for the Rural Area (PPLG) themes (Nature, Water and Soil, Climate, Agriculture, Landscape and Heritage, Recreation). This was done through a competition, calling for ideas for the rural area.
A total of 51 initiatives were submitted from across North Holland. The jury, chaired by Deputy Jelle Beemsterboer, selected 15 top ideas, which were then pitched on April 3. One winner was chosen from each region.
De Natuurverdubbelaars organized Toekomstversnellers, including the development of the strategy, the launch and promotion of the competition, and the guidance of both the jury and participants throughout the process. The focus of the strategy is that the competition is not an end in itself, but a way to identify strong initiatives and understand the support needs to help these initiatives move forward. This way, grassroots energy can contribute to achieving major societal goals.
In addition to a financial contribution of €5,000, the winners receive guidance through a series of workshops and coaching sessions to further develop their ideas. De Natuurverdubbelaars will also provide this guidance. Participants who did not win are not left empty-handed; they are offered an advisory meeting organized by De Natuurverdubbelaars or the Province of North Holland.
For more information about the winning ideas, see the news article on the website of the province of North-Holland.
