Zoetermeer is building a Strong Social Foundation: working together to strengthen social cohesion in the neighborhood

The Zoetermeer municipal council presents its Strong Social Foundation Vision. This vision was developed with and by residents, volunteers, organizations, and religious communities. With this vision, we are building on what already works well in Zoetermeer. Volunteering, cultural and sports associations, religious communities, and networks of volunteers form the backbone of social cohesion in our city. They ensure that people know each other, look out for each other, and contribute together to a social living environment.

Why is this vision important?

Participation meetings, neighborhood discussions, and the DoeMee showed that residents strongly value connection and accessible meeting places. Many Zoetermeerders committed to their neighborhood. They often do this on their own initiative and with their own resources. In some cases, they need help, an overview, or a suitable location. The new vision provides scope for residents' initiatives and ensures greater clarity, simplicity, and cooperation.

What Zoetermeer will do:

  • Better overview and use of existing locations, such as accessible neighborhood locations and spaces in social or commercial real estate. This makes it easier for people to meet each other in the neighborhood and organize activities together.
  • Simple support for resident initiatives, with fewer rules and faster access to subsidies.
  • A digital platform where residents can easily find activities, spaces, and assistance. Better collaboration with residents, volunteers, and organizations through clear agreements and new forms of consultation.

Alderman Véronique Frinking: "What touches me every day is how Zoetermeerders look Zoetermeerders each other. You see it in small gestures on the street, in neighborhood initiatives, and in all the volunteers who put their heart and soul into their work. For me, that connection is the core of the city. That's why I think it's so important to continue to focus on what binds us together. With this vision, we want to support and strengthen that power. We give residents the space and opportunities to really bring their ideas to life. Together, we create neighborhoods with meeting places where people feel seen, where you can easily drop in, and where it's normal to look out for each other."

Alderman Bouke Velzen adds:
"Social foundations are about looking out for each other. In the past, almost everyone was a member of a soccer club or a church. Today's society is more individualistic, partly due to all the digital tools we use. That's why it's so important to continue to look out for each other in our neighborhoods and streets."

How to move forward?

Starting in April 2026, the implementation agenda will be drawn up in collaboration with residents and partners, and presented to the city council in the fall of 2026. It will contain the specific actions that will be visible in the neighborhoods in the coming years.