Citizen Participation

Kerkrade, we all are! 

With over 45,000 Kerkrade residents, we make up this diverse and vibrant municipality. Together with the residents but also companies, foundations, institutions and visitors, the municipality wants to work. By talking, thinking or acting together, the community gets a voice in what happens on the street, in the neighborhood or in the town. Involving the community in plans, projects and policies is called citizen participation.

A photograph of a road leading to a building. In the background trees, in the foreground fields.

What is bugger participation? 

Citizen participation has many terms and interpretations. For the municipality of Kerkrade, citizen participation is a way of making policy whereby residents, independently or together, are given the opportunity to influence the conception, implementation and assessment of policy and projects. This can be done by participating in discussions, thinking along or making decisions.

Why is civic participation important?

Of course, the municipality does not engage in citizen participation lightly. We do this because it has many advantages for both the municipality and its residents. It allows us to increase the involvement of our Kerkrade community. Moreover, our residents are the ones who gain daily experience in the neighborhoods and districts. We would like to make use of their knowledge and experience. In this way, we also hope to strengthen the municipality's relationship with the community.

Our vision of civic participation

In 2019, a survey on participation took place in which Kerkrade residents had their say. The results of this survey prompted the town council to commission a vision document. This document explains the goal of the municipality and lists a number of promises and preconditions. The city council adopted this document on Nov. 15, 2022.

View the citizen participation vision document

Participation Regulation

In 2023, the City Council adopted a participation ordinance. An ordinance contains rules that apply to everyone and is a legal document. The vision document is the basis for the participation ordinance.

View the participation ordinance 

Referendum

Residents can have a say in important decisions made by the City Council; one option is to hold a referendum, a vote in which they may indicate whether they are for or against a new plan (a draft decision) by the City Council.

Making Kerkrade Together

 

Think, talk and participate with your idea

  • Livability, neighborhood improvement, green projects
  • Music, theater, art(works), history
  • (mini)Events, community work, neighborhood help
  • Sports, health, social contact

Making Kerkrade Together

Want to see your ideas become reality? At the City of Kerkrade, we are open to all suggestions that
benefit our community. Whether it's a safer play area, greener streets or a new event, your initiative is the key to change. Get in touch, submit your idea and we will engage in conversation.