The answer to national issues is local: the success of Munity Services
While complex societal issues like loneliness and social cohesion are endlessly debated in the halls of government in The Hague, citizens in 85 Dutch municipalities are proving that the most effective answers are often found locally. The key lies in stimulating the local strength of people themselves.
MunityServices.eu is the living proof of this vision. What began as a small, personal initiative has grown into a national platform reaching 1.6 million Dutch people annually. It is a bottom-up answer to distant, top-down policies, showing that real change begins on one's own street, not in a boardroom.
Instead of waiting for national policy, Munity Services activates residents to make their own neighborhoods more enjoyable, social, and safe. The results are concrete and measurable: research by Erasmus University shows that their approach leads to 60% more encounters between neighbors. This is a timely story about the power of citizen initiative that offers an effective alternative to top-down solutions.
To help you get started, three ready-to-use press texts are provided below.
The founders, Hanneke van Stokkom and Eric Hendriks, are available for an interview to further explain their vision on the power of local communities and the role of citizen initiative: Eric Hendriks, , (+31) 6 - 535 434 66.
1 - Very short text for social media or a brief announcement
This is how Munity Services brings neighbors back together
Munity Services, active in 85 Dutch municipalities, proves that strong neighborhoods start with real encounters. By training thousands of ‘Neighborhood Connectors’ and providing a smart online platform, they facilitate 60% more encounters between neighbors, according to research by Erasmus University. With 1.6 million visitors per year, they are the indispensable link that turns a district into a home.
2 - Short text, standard press release
From dog-sitter to national success: Munity Services connects 1.6 million Dutch people annually
What began with a simple request to walk a dog has grown into a national platform that strengthens the social fabric in 85 municipalities. Munity Services, founded by Hanneke van Stokkom and Eric Hendriks, proves that the solution to societal challenges like loneliness is often literally just around the corner.
The secret to its success is the combination of people and technology. Munity Services trains local volunteers to become ‘Neighborhood Connectors’ who, supported by a smart online platform, make the treasures in their neighborhood visible, from stories and activities to local initiatives.
The impact is significant. Research by Erasmus University shows that the approach leads to 60% more encounters. Residents get to know an average of 22 new people and maintain long-term contact with 9 of them.
"We believe that almost everything you need can be found in your own neighborhood. You just have to know how to find it," says co-founder Hanneke van Stokkom. "When you know each other, you help each other. That's great in good times, and can be vital when things get tough."
With nearly 1,000 Neighborhood Connectors and 100,000 active participants, Munity Services is the indispensable social water main of Dutch society.
About Munity Services
Munity Services is a social enterprise that helps municipalities, organizations, and residents to strengthen social cohesion in neighborhoods and villages. Through training, workshops, and an online platform, they enable connections that make neighborhoods more enjoyable, social, and safe.
3 - Longer text for a feature article or background story
How a dog, a neighborhood newspaper, and a simple question are connecting the Netherlands, one neighborhood at a time
The story of Munity Services, the platform that, with 1,000 ‘Neighborhood Connectors’ and 1.6 million annual visitors, proves the solution to loneliness is on your own street.
It all started with a dog that never came. Hanneke van Stokkom wanted a dog, but her husband already envisioned the early, wet morning walks. Hanneke found the solution on the local neighborhood website: a post looking for a dog-sitter. "Two days later, I was having coffee with Esther," she says. "She had lived on my street for 18 years, and I had never met her." That moment of embarrassment and amazement was the seed from which Munity Servicesl would grow.
She called Eric Hendriks, the man behind the neighborhood website. Eric had once moved to a new city where he knew no one. His way of making contact was to become an editor for the local paper. "Writing stories was a great idea," Eric explains. "The people I wrote about were recognized on the street and, as a result, they also made more connections."
The approach: Neighborhood Connectors as the community's social lifeblood.
Together, Hanneke and Eric developed their idea into a proven, effective approach. "We believe that almost everything you need can be found in your own neighborhood," states Hanneke. To make these 'neighborhood treasures' visible, they use a three-stage process:
Inspiration: They start with meetings for municipalities, organizations, village and district councils, and all residents to get everyone on board.
Neighborhood Connectors: They then find ‘Neighborhood Connectors’: dedicated residents who care about their community. These key figures receive a three-day training course to make all the great things in their neighborhood—from stories to initiatives—visible.
Platform & Support: Neighborhood Connectors are given a smart online platform and receive daily support to help connections flow, both online and offline.
"Our Neighborhood Connectors make things flow; our platforms are the social water infrastructure," says Hanneke, powerfully summarizing the method.
Proven impact in 85 municipalities
The numbers show this is no empty promise. Erasmus University concluded from their research that the Munity Services approach leads to 60% more encounters. Residents get to know an average of 22 new people and maintain long-term contact with 9 of them. The platform is now active in 85 municipalities, has nearly 1,000 Neighborhood Connectors, 100,000 active users, and attracts 1.6 million unique visitors annually.
The effect is also tangible on a human scale. When the husband of Esther, the dog's owner, fell ill, Hanneke not only did the walks but also did her groceries. "When you know each other, you do these things for each other. That solves loneliness and saves the municipality healthcare costs," says Hanneke.
With their approach, books, and training, Hanneke and Eric have become the indispensable link in strengthening social cohesion in the Netherlands. Eric concludes: "Without a water main, everyone runs dry. Without Munity Services, the Netherlands is a barren place."