Better Stories in the Netherlands
When it has come to alleviating the impact of COVID-19 policies on inequalities, civil society organisations – NGOs, local governments, or citizens – have developed many initiatives, many “Better Stories”. RESISTIRÉ’s team of national researchers has collected and highlighted a set of particularly relevant initiatives in 31 European countries. Find out what has been developed in the Netherlands!
selected Better stories
In this section you will find more in-depth information on the most inspiring civil society initiatives, selected in each country by our national researchers.
Shaping the world of elderly residents
Club Goud was launched by Moniek van Daal. Prior to launching the initiative, Moniek had spent more than 10 years volunteering at an elderly home, engaging in simple conversations over coffee with elderly residents. This experience revealed to her that the world of many elderly individuals becomes smaller and smaller, particularly for those who lack close family connections. Moniek strongly believed in the value of intergenerational interactions yet faced challenges in recruiting young volunteers. This motivated her to conceptualize events that could bridge the generation gap.
Guiding vulnerable individuals from adversity to empowerment
During lockdown, Stichting Mano displayed resilience by swiftly developing digital programms tailored to local citizens with limited literacy. These included personalized coaches for topics like ‘Literacy and Money’ and ‘Literacy and Health,’ along with essential language courses. These online alternatives replaced traditional in-person sessions and cafes, allowing for continued community engagement and education.
Ketu Care’s food delivery initiative in response to crisis
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Jaleesa den Haanin launched a project in the northern part of Rotterdam, known as Rotterdam Noord. Twice a week, dedicated volunteers delivered food to vulnerable individuals confined to their homes. This initiative started from Ketu Kitchen, a local bakery and café situated in the same area, which unfortunately had to shut its doors due to the lockdown.
Providing support to the transgender community during COVID-19
During Covid-19 lockdowns many operations of transgenders were cancelled. Transvision offered all kinds of help, such as help via a chatline, telephone, and by providing information, such as information how to bind breasts safely for trans men that have not been able to operate their breasts. The project aspires to an inclusive society in which every transgender person has access to the right care, at the right time, in the right place, by a care provider with the right expertise.
How the pandemic led to more nursing influence on policy in the Netherlands
If the health crisis revealed that nurses are among the most important employees in a hospital, they had until then little influence or say about hospital policies. This changed at the start of the pandemic.
Other better stories of Policy responses
Learn more about the policy responses developed by the Netherlands to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. These policy responses have been researched and selected by our team of national experts in each country.
other better stories of societal responses
Read more about the initiatives developed in Europe by stakeholders such as NGOs, local governments, or citizens to alleviate COVID-19’s impacts. These initiatives have been collected and highlighted as particularly relevant by our team of national researchers in each country.