By Shary Heuninckx, Vrjie Universiteit Brussels

The European REFORMERS project aims to develop sustainable and lasting solutions to the current and future energy challenges facing Boekelermeer and its surroundings. In collaboration with local stakeholders, we will seek resilient solutions to issues such as grid congestion, energy security, and the gradual phase-out of fossil fuels.

This is a complex task, as the project area involves a wide range of stakeholders with varying interests and needs. Therefore, a diverse engagement plan will be implemented in the coming months. As a first step, an informal introductory event was organised to familiarize participants with the stakeholders and their energy-related concerns and ideas. On October 1st, 26 representatives from local businesses, government organisations, residential groups, educational institutions, and others gathered at the cozy BijHuub venue in Boekelermeer. They had the opportunity to meet and jointly discuss how REFORMERS can help address pressing local energy challenges.

The event proceeded as follows:

• Word of welcome from REFORMERS consortium (Shary Heuninckx – VUB)
• Word of welcome from municipality of Alkmaar (Ben Glim – municipality of Alkmaar)
• Introduction REFORMERS project (Joep Sanderink – NEC)
• Interactive World Café session I (discussion on actor-specific project questions in homogenous actor groups)
• Interactive World Café session II (discussion on general project goals and challenges in mixed actor groups)
• Next steps REFORMERS project (Bart Kaas – TNO)

During interactive sessions, participants discussed future challenges and opportunities. Many valuable insights were gathered, which will form the foundation for project and engagement strategies.

This marks an exciting beginning to a collaborative participation journey ahead!