Presentation by Wiet van Meel, volunteer sustainable development advisor to Coöperatieve Esbeek and professional occupation at Pontifax and Coopnet, on the occasion of the EESC conference on "Social economy and social innovation as drivers of competitiveness, growth and social well-being - Perspecitves and priorities for the new Commission and the European Parliament" (Brussels, 1 October 2014)

1. A Rural Alliance
Cooperation Esbeek
Ecosoc 1 October 2014
Wiet van Meel

2. ESF/EFRO/Leader/
Comett/Erasmus

3. Esbeek : Facts and figures
1200 inhabitants, 600 families
35 social, cultural and professional associations
Primary school, Toddler playroom
135 sme’s (25% agricultural, 25 % industry, 20 %
experience, 20 % construction-related, 10 % services),
1 Industrial estate
1 pub, no shops, 1 cash dispenser
surrounded bij pastures and nature estates “de
Utrecht” 2800 ha, “Rovertsche Heide” 500 ha,
“Wellenseind” 60 ha

4. Vibrancy of Esbeek
• General problem of small villages
• Withdrawing local goverment
• Declining facilities
• Emerging “Do-democracy”
• Closure last pub as a threat
• Cooperative as tool of solving the problem

5. Aim and strategy
• A vital and futureproof village for all generations a good life,
work and living.
• The basis lies in a balanced age distribution.
• The community in charge of livability through partnerships with
governmental and other bodies.
• Coöperation Esbeek takes initiatives and ensures local support

7. Closing of the church

10. Made in Esbeek Clean Minerals Bio Energy

11. Flaes-Tower Andreas Schotel hiking path

12. Schuttershof

13. Coöperation Esbeek

14. Nucleus with a heart
organizational strength
with responsive swinging governments
Social instruments
Planet-spatial Prof it-economical People-societal
Fysical instruments
Dinsdag 10 juli 2007 ESBEEK
Minister Agri-Culture
visits Esbeekse
Fertilizer factory
S u s t a i n a b i l i t y © Pontifax 2007

15. On 6 policy fields institutional support from local tot
European level
• Fysical Societal : - 42 houses under own governance
- Acquisition/renovation Schuttershof - elderly
Encounter & Residation, Museum Schotel
- New community school in closed Church
• Social Societal : - Care & Seniorprograms
• Fysical Spatial : - Bridge Coevoirde, Flaestower
- Reconstruction Centre Village
• Social Spatial : - Hikingtrails & Local History programs
• Fysical Economical : - Clean Minerals Bio Energy, Glassfiber, Water,
sun and wind Energy-installations
• Social Economical : - exploitation Schuttershof, Activities Museum,
- proces Energy Coöperation Esbeek
- Made in Esbeek

16. Options for Policy :
• Participation : Consult vs dictate
• Decompartmentalise
• Status “between/bridge-consultants”
• Fund-integration
• What is a Social Entreprise ?