The austerity dialogue in Zeist: How the Municipality of Zeist harnesses the ideas of ‘citizen-experts’

Performance indicators

The participation process was completed within a period of three months. Around 80% of the ‘citizen experts’ remained involved throughout the process. This process resulted in an overall White Paper, including 217 proposals from eight expert committees. There was large variation in the proposed measures. Some focussed on making savings by increasing the entrance fees for the local swimming pool, or reducing the grants to cultural and welfare organisations. Others, however, were more complex and aimed at transforming the relations between society and government, such as a sweeping reform of the funding of sports organisations.

The proposals added up to €7.6m. While the challenge was only €6.2m, the committees enabled the council to make additional reforms. In the final decision making process, ninety-five per cent of all proposals were adopted by the local council. During the final discussions and decisions of the local council, only fifteen councillors objected to the proposed measures.