Money for local initiatives to go to city districts

Would you like to organise a street party or would you like more plants and trees in the neighbourhood? Soon you will be able to apply for money for all these kinds of initiatives within your city district. The Hague Municipal Executive has submitted a new plan to the Municipal Council.

The municipality currently manages a number of different funds to pay for initiatives submitted by residents. As a result it is often difficult to figure out where you need to go if you have a good idea for your neighbourhood.

The Hague Municipal Executive aims for the new plan to reduce the amount of bureaucracy and increase resident participation. Each city district will get its own budget for liveability, safety, sport, citizenship, well-being and culture. District directors will be given more authority to solve problems in their districts.

Sixteen current regulations will be combined in two phases. In 2011 ten regulations will be merged and another six will follow in 2012. A subsidy of approximately € 8 million will be available for the eight city districts. Applications will be evaluated and rejected or approved at the district level.

According to Deputy Mayor Ingrid van Engelshoven (Education, Public Services), ‘We are making budgets better accessible for city residents. If you have a good idea for your own neighbourhood or you want to report a problem, then you can do this more quickly through your own city district. It will become simpler to get something accomplished in your own neighbourhood.’