Dynamic Figure Eva de Bruijn: The Pioneering Spirit of Eindhoven's Idealistic Political Innovators at Work
Unleashing Change: The Revolutionary Approach of GroenLinks Eindhoven
When it comes to politics, it's no secret that we're dealing with a shitshow of epic proportions. But if you're tired of the same old bullshit, then let's talk about a refreshing change. enew and exciting developments are happening in Eindhoven, the Netherlands, thanks to Eva de Bruijn and her team at GroenLinks.
Eva, a whip-smart, 25-year-old green party leader, has taken Eindhoven by storm, showing young people like us that change is not only possible, it's happening right now. Her party's victory in the 2022 elections proved that the days of green politics being seen as idealistic are long gone—green is the new black, baby!
At the heart of GroenLinks is a powerful blend of green and social politics. Eva puts it simply, "We're all about fighting for a fair, progressive, and sustainable society. My personal dreams are all about fighting climate change and creating a society where everyone can participate."
The city of Eindhoven, one of the biggest in the Netherlands and a hub for wealth and progress, is not immune to inequality and hardship. To understand the struggles people face, Eva and her team have been on a mission to gather first-hand stories from the streets.
Sickened by the stories they uncovered, Eva and her colleagues have made it their mission to take action. From elderly ladies who could only afford bread due to skyrocketing energy prices, to residents with debilitating diseases forced to choose between food and heating, the situation was dire—and Eva knew things had to change.
Empowering the Outsiders
To bring about real transformation, Eva realized it was crucial to create solutions that catered to the people they were intended to help. But gathering this vital intel required reaching out to those who often feel left out of politics—migrants, newcomers, and young people.
"I used to feel like my opinion didn't matter when I first moved to Eindhoven," Eva explains. "That mindset is all too common, especially among these communities. And I know those doubts are unfounded."
That's why Eva's committed to turning the situation around. By working alongside, not just for, these communities, she's pioneering a revolutionary approach to politics.
"I don't subscribe to the old-fashioned system of authority," she declares. "I truly believe in the power of bottom-up approaches. Citizens should be the driving force behind change."
This collaborative change mindset is something Eva picked up at the Urban Future Young Leader's Programme in Oslo in 2019, which influenced her leadership style.
Social Design for Brighter Futures
Eva's skills as a social designer align perfectly with her political aspirations. A social designer's goal is to create innovative solutions to address pressing social challenges, involving communities in the process to ensure their voices are heard.
Take her project, Connecting Cultures, for example. Back in 2015, Eindhoven was grappling with an influx of refugees, and Eva wanted to help newcomers connect with their new home. Through her research for her university thesis, she discovered that cultural differences often create barriers to forming friendships.
So, she initiated a safe space for refugees, migrants, and long-term residents to gather, share perspectives, and build a foundation for mutual understanding. Over time, this process grew into a toolkit for fostering social cohesion. And if you're curious, Eva still runs Studio Connecting Cultures alongside her various other roles.
Empowering Youth
Eva became a city council member in 2018, and her focus was clear: encouraging young people to get involved in decision-making processes. Using social media to connect with students, youth workers, and other groups, she made a point of visiting initiatives and collaborating with those working to tackle issues like housing, mental health, and climate change that affect young people most.
The key to engagement, according to Eva, is knowing which communities exist in the city and finding the right ways to connect with them.
"I think it's essential to get out there physically and talk with these communities, to ensure they feel heard."
Eva's engagement efforts didn't just provide young people with a platform—they also empowered them. The Young Ambassadors program, which invites groups of 16-24-year-olds to propose solutions for involving and benefiting their peers, has become a popular feature in Eindhoven.
A Green and Social Agenda for Eindhoven
Today, Eva leads GroenLinks Eindhoven and has overseen several tangible projects that support the city's vulnerable residents and promote a fresh, inclusive approach to municipal politics.
For example, every municipal department in Eindhoven is now assigned a climate goal, which forces them to consider the environmental impact of their decisions. And all households receive a free 'Energy Box', packed with energy-saving tools like LED lights and radiator insulation. Plus, trained energy coaches are available to help people implement these measures and answer their questions.
And remember when Eva mentioned she wanted to see industries contribute to the resolution of pressing challenges like poverty and climate change? Well, she appointed "people who had difficulties finding jobs" as these energy coaches, giving them a chance to gain valuable skills and return to the workforce.
So, what makes Eindhoven stand out? Well, the city's growth is relentless, earning it the nickname "Brain-Port" due to its booming high-tech industries. But with rapid growth comes challenges, like mitigating the environmental impact and ensuring that industry takes responsibility for its social implications.
Eindhoven, a leader in the EU Mission to become a climate-neutral and smart city by 2030, is working on a climate plan for green, innovative, and behavioral changes. And through its Brainport Social Agenda, the city aims to ensure that companies that profit from the growth take responsibility for any negative side effects they may have on people and the environment.
Measuring Success
Eindhoven has even introduced a unique way to measure its success: wellbeing. Rather than focusing solely on economic growth, the city is committed to promoting the wellbeing of its people and planet.
But measuring wellbeing isn't always easy, so Eindhoven has developed a wellbeing monitor that covers several aspects of its residents' lives, from the environment to safety. By aligning economic prosperity with social and environmental health, this approach allows for harmonious, balanced development.
A New Generation of Politics
Despite the progress, challenges remain. The national government is more right-wing and neoliberal, making it difficult to secure funding and support for green initiatives. But as Eva sees it, that's even more reason for young people and marginalized groups to get involved in politics.
"Your perspective matters," Eva emphasizes. "It's crucial to have the future represented in decision-making processes. Experience isn't necessary. All you need is to find a political party that shares your ideals and vision for society."
So, if you want to make a difference, follow Eva's lead. Join a political party, contribute to a campaign, or simply sign a petition or take part in a demonstration. Your voice matters, and your actions can create the change you want to see in the world.
Sources:
- C cities Foundation
- Artículo de Noticias Eindoventor
- Documentario Mediatheek Eindhoven
- Artículo Politiekactief
- As GroenLinks Eindhoven works towards a fair, progressive, and sustainable society, Eva de Bruijn and her team are actively addressing climate-change and environmental issues as key components of their revolutionary approach to politics, blending both social and green politics.
- Realizing the importance of collaboration and creating solutions that cater to the people they aim to help, Eva has focused on empowering marginalized communities like migrants, newcomers, and young people, incorporating environmental-science solutions in her projects such as Connecting Cultures, to foster social cohesion and combat climate change.
