EUKN - European Urban Knowledge Network - Kan wél!

Kan wél! - Can do!

Introduction

Neighbourhood residents contribute to the social cohesion of their own neighbourhood

Problem

How can the social cohesion in a neighbourhood be improved?

Description

Residents can contribute to the social cohesion in their neighbourhood by asking themselves what they personally can do for their neighbourhood. This is because the residents become more conscious of what they can mean to their surroundings when they have the option of implementing their own ideas regarding the neighbourhood. That is the conclusion of the evaluation report for the 'Kan wél!' ('Can do!') project executed by the Landelijk Samenwerkingsverband Aandachtswijken ('National Community Alliance', LSA). With 'Kan wél!', residents who see opportunities for their neighbourhood take the initiative, coached by well-trained social workers.

Approach

Neighbourhoods with a healthy living climate are characterised by social contacts between the residents and the presence of people who are able and willing to work to keep it so. The project 'Kan wél!' recognises this as its central premise: individuals and their ideas can make a difference for their neighbourhood. With funding from local businesses, residents can turn their ideas into action, supported by an independent 'Kan wél!' social worker.

The evaluation report evaluates sixteen resident initiatives that have been or are currently being executed in the cities Arnhem, Breda, Emmen and Venray. The report examines four resident initiatives in one specific neighbourhood in each of these cities. The social cohesion between the neighbourhood residents was evaluated based on a symposium, interactive sessions, reports by the social workers and interviews with the neighbourhood residents.

Results

The evaluation report resulted in the following conclusions:

Many of the resident initiatives required the initiators to co-operate with the municipality or with professionals and institutions in the neighbourhood. According to a large number of participating residents, the 'Kan wél!' project has led municipal governments, corporations and other organisations in the neighbourhood to take them more seriously;
The municipal government is important for financing. 'Kan wél!' project financing can be a step towards more structural financing in the future, such as through the municipal government;
'Kan wél!' is often seen as the stimulus that an individual needed to get going. The residents often carry their ideas around for a long time, but for some reason they are not able to bring them to fruition;
The 'Kan wél!' method is often considered to be clear and easy to understand. The rules are simple and 'you know who to go to'. The conditions are simple and understandable, and the development worker is the one point of contact for the residents;
The personal contacts and approach are valued: if necessary, the social worker helps to come up with ideas, keeps track of the execution and is always available to answer questions;
'Kan wél!' is based on the residents' abilities, not their limitations, and they value this.

Contact info

Kan wél! - Can do!
Elvira Jansen (Project Coordinator), tel. 0031 30 2317511

Project start date

01/05/2007

Cities

Arnhem, Breda, Emmen and Venray - The Netherlands

Links

More information on Kan wél! - Can do! (in Dutch only)

Final report 'Wat Kan wél! kan: Hoe bewoners zelf bijdragen aan sociale binding in de wijk' (in Dutch only, PDF, 820KB) Nederlands

Document type

case

Themes

Urban Policy

Keywords

Social inclusion & integration

Institutional characteristics
Non-Governmental Organisation