Nine social entrepreneurs have successfully completed the Omgaan met de Gemeente (Engaging with the Municipality) training program! The training focuses on how entrepreneurs can engage municipalities as valuable collaboratio partners. In this blog, we reflect on the lessons learned during the various training days.

Engaging with the Municipality: the valuable lessons and insights

The ins and outs of the municipality

The first day of training was given by Ruud Meijer of the Municipality of Haarlem, who gave participants a look behind the scenes of the municipality, which provided useful insights:

Every municipality is different. Although municipalities share the same governing organs, functions and processes, they are each unique in their organization and methods. It is important to determine what your goal is (knowledge, network, supply, funding) and consider who to go to for this.
Speak the language of the municipality. It is essential to align your message with municipal language and priorities. The coalition agreement can help you align your story with local policy. In addition, council information websites are a valuable resource for policy documents and watching relevant debates.
Timing is crucial. For example, toward the 2026 municipal elections, when policy agendas are formed, or toward the spring statement and program budget each year. Use the council's agenda to know what's going on when.

By linking the objectives of our foundation to specific points in the coalition agreement, you can very well demonstrate your relevance within the relevant municipality. Very insightful to know how to approach that strategically.
Jannienke – St. Transformers Community

Your proposition towards the municipality

How do you effectively convey your message to the municipality? This question was the focus of the second training day. At the Social Impact Factory in Utrecht, participants, led by Jurgen Warmerdam of Trias Politica, delved into the world of lobbying. During an interactive session, they discovered how lobbying can not only be strategic, but also fun. Using a role-play, they practiced communication with policymakers and put their new insights directly into practice:

There is a lot of power in a simple message. The more concrete your question, the more powerful the message. So think carefully about how you can sell your own interest as a solution to the municipality.
The codeword is interests. Be clear in what you want and what your request is. But also align your pitch to your conversation partner; what are their personal and business interests? Finding common ground will strengthen your message.
Look at the broader ecosystem. How does your initiative compare to similar (social) enterprises in the municipality? Can you work together to increase your impact, or is it more important to differentiate yourself?

Who are the people behind those policies and how can I also touch those people in a very personal way?
Floortje – Dance Connects

Everything is negotiation

The theme on Day 3 was the art of negotiation. Participants were taken through an online session, by Hugo Crul of RoutsLaeven, on seven principles that help to better understand negotiations and use them more effectively. Key insights from the training were:

The most obvious solution is not always the best. Negotiation is not just about reaching an outcome, but primarily about representing the interests of different parties. So, as on Day 2, one word took center stage: interests
A strong negotiator is curious. Don't just focus on convincing others, but ask the right questions to discover where your interests overlap. This helps to reach a supported solution together.
A successful negotiation begins with a common playing field. By showing understanding from the beginning and setting clear expectations, you ensure that everyone involved has the same starting point. That way you avoid misunderstandings and lay a strong foundation for cooperation.

Conversation with the alderman

The final day of the training program was devoted to bringing together all the insights learned in a final pitch. The participants met alderman Robbert Berkhout and policy official Ruud Meijer in Haarlem, at the inspiring MAAK venue. An exciting moment for the participants, but also a valuable opportunity to put what they had learned into practice and interact directly with policy makers. With Robbert and Ruud's feedback, participants were able to conclude the program with a few more great lessons to take home:

Speak to the feeling. The importance of a personal connection was emphasized again. Ruud Meijer captured it well: “Impact entrepreneurship is always about doing business with your heart.” So it's important to bring the people you talk to into your story.
Dare to ask, but keep it manageable. Where is the overlap between what you need and what the municipality could provide. In multi-party collaborations, for example, co-financing can work wonders to help the municipality move further in the right direction.
Creative touches linger. From a clever metaphor to an impact report that gets to the heart of your initiative, or even a symbolic gift that represents your business - these personal and creative details will make your pitch memorable.

Impact entrepreneurship is always about doing business with your heart.
Ruud Meijer – Beleidsambtenaar Haarlem

Have you become curious, or is this exactly what you want to do as a social entrepreneur? Then send an email to jorien@social-enterprise.nl to indicate your interest - then you will be the first to hear when there are new dates.

Dit trainingsprogramma is mede mogelijk gemaakt door het Oranje Fonds.