The Netherlands faces significant challenges, such as the transition to a climate-neutral society, the restoration of biodiversity, the housing task and the development of a circular economy. According to the researchers, these issues require more than incremental adjustments: they call for a fundamental renewal of the way government works. "If the central government wants to tackle social tasks effectively, it must itself work in a new way," said Kristiaan Kok of VU's Athena Institute.
Link between long-term and short-term essential
The report emphasizes that long-term policy choices must be better linked to decision-making in the present. Many necessary investments are still pushed forward, especially when they are not legally anchored. The researchers argue that officials need more space and support to put strategic, systemic choices on the agenda alongside day-to-day policy pressures.
Working from the outside in
Transitions in the living environment have a direct impact on citizens and businesses and often take place locally. According to the report, intensive cooperation between governments, civil society organizations and residents is crucial. Instruments such as area directors, transition teams and citizens' councils can help to better align policy with practice. The explicit inclusion of this "from outside to inside" approach in the tasks of civil servants is an important step.
Towards a learning and cooperating government
The researchers argue for a more cohesive, government-wide approach to transformation tasks. This requires cooperation across departmental boundaries and a government that continuously learns and adjusts. Using accountability not only as an instrument of control but also as a means for development creates room for adaptive policy and professional action in an uncertain context.
VU scientists Eva Kunseler, Hidde Boonstra, Rosa Spruit and Kristiaan Kok of the Athena Institute collaborated on the report and the studies it contains. They emphasize that strengthening the action repertoire of civil servants is essential to realize the necessary transitions in the living environment.