This week, we hosted an 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐬𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐭 𝐎𝐏𝐎𝐑𝐀’𝐬 𝐂𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐥 𝐒𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐭𝐲 𝐇𝐮𝐛, 𝐟𝐨𝐜𝐮𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐨𝐧 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐚𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐫𝐨𝐨𝐭𝐬 𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐳𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐬𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐔𝐤𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐚𝐧 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐍𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐬. Together, we explored local governance and advocacy with two inspiring speakers from Derksen & Drolsbach (D&D) – Eva Hopperus Buma-Schreuder and Renate Schroevers.

Eva and Renate brought deep insight from their work in and with public institutions across the Netherlands. Through compelling stories and practical examples, they helped us understand how local and national governance can align—and the vital role civil society plays in shaping public policy.

Here are a few key takeaways from the session:

🔷 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐃𝐮𝐭𝐜𝐡 “𝐏𝐨𝐥𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐌𝐨𝐝𝐞𝐥” – a consensus-based approach that brings together government, business, and civil society. It was fascinating to learn how this model fosters genuine dialogue and shared ownership of solutions.

🔷 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐝𝐯𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐜𝐲 𝐞𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 – from the power of storytelling and strategic use of data to the importance of cross-sector collaboration. So many takeaways to bring into our own work.

🔷 𝐑𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐜𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 – not as a “nice-to-have,” but as an essential approach to tackling major challenges like climate change, social inclusion, and civic engagement.

Civil Society Hub is a year long capacity strengthening project aimed to support representatives from community led organizations. Through workshops and mentorship projects support critical work of Ukrainian Women Refugees Association UWRA and Healing the Mind (United Way the Netherlands), ABBA Student Association, Ukrainian house, Gelukkig Jeugd, Stichting 'Slava i Volya' Zwolle, Ko-Station, VilnaJa, Stichting Radio Ukraine The Netherlands, VATAHA Foundation, Vital'nya Foundation, Oekraïense Club, Haarlem4Ukraine.

Many thanks to Eva and Renate for creating such an open, thoughtful space—and for reminding us that meaningful change often begins with people coming together and truly listening.