Sustainable support for citizens’ initiatives: The ‘sustainizability model’

Purpose

The ‘sustainizability model’ contains an explicit reference to an active, dynamic attitude as opposed to the term sustainability, which refers more to a static situation. It is an instrument to support the collection of ideas and support in a community.

The sustainizability model consists of six domains (see figure below) – each with their typical characteristics, values, and standards – each of which can ideally be considered in the planning and realisation of any initiative. The model’s advantage is to link various dimensions of an initiative in a structured way – and bring the relevant expertise related to these for a more integrated approach. The idea is that during a first phase people need to work in the “six siloes” according to their relevant expertise, and then brought together for a more integrated approach.

The tool itself is the model structure and explanatory note.

A sustainable development process builds on the interaction and linkages between the three P’s: People, Planet, and Profit (providing a clearer focus to the initial Brundtland triple P concept) – adding the societal and physical dimensions.

According to the model, the involvement of development advisors is needed (e.g. informal expert network) with a wide range of expertise – such as spatial planning, nature and environmental policy, community building, business, administration, public administration, legal affairs, project management, cooperative organizational development, etc.

Development advisors have the role of assisting local initiators of ideas in the six domains, connecting the initiators to the right stakeholders in the domains of the 3*2  domains (people (social), profit (economic), planet (environmental) combined with societal, physical) to work together with the initiators. Capacity building of these development experts (e.g. recruitment, training and structuring of the expert network) might be necessary, and the collaboration of experts – to strengthen integrated support – is crucial.

How does it work?

Who is the tool for?

The tool is more suitable in larger communities, where networks and expertise can be easier mobilised. The ‘sustainizability model’ provides a good structure and framework for joint working and thinking, however, it requires active initiators of ideas, and also their ability to mobilise professional networks (experts/ advisors).

Dos and Don’ts

• It is important to have a mix of different types of stakeholders (suppliers, customers, and partners), personalities and gender, covering all six key domains and ensuring that the four E’s (entitled authorities, education, entrepreneurs, and environment) are represented. Some people can be “siloed”, others (e.g., the mayor) are more difficult to be linked to a specific domain and can be employed as a “joker”.
• In addition to the development advisors, the initiator’s personal network and contacts can be particularly useful. It turns out to be very worthwhile involving people one is acquainted with and trusts from the various sustainizability domains in the actions concerned. For instance, one can consider the financial administration (debtors and creditors), the project administration, the CRM system, address files, contacts on social media, business cards or the birthday calendar. Their positions and opinions, and in particular the confrontation and eventual integration certainly contribute to a suitable solution.
• To bring this about one must group them carefully, arrange them in siloes (ironically: compartmentalise) to eventually de-compartmentalise them.
• Main rule: only assign people with which one has an agreeable connection.
• How to categorise into the six domains? The start is positioning the people assigned in one of the six sustainizability domains based on where the actor is most active. Sometimes it seems that one has none or only a few relations in certain domains, but after some consideration one usually finds them.

How the tool was already used?

Digihelden Hilvarenbeek (Digital Heroes Hilvarenbeek)

Hilvarenbeek is a rural municipality with around 15,500 inhabitants. The director of a primary school in Hilvarenbeek wanted to pay more attention to innovation and technology at his school. He wanted to develop a learning line of ICT skills with robots. He already purchased some equipment, but specialised

knowledge and skills of the teachers appeared to be lacking. Also, the tools quickly

proved obsolete. Specialist skills were needed, as well as financial resources.

He asked Tussenheid Hilvarenbeek to think along and they suggested to first map his network according to the sustainizability / CIMBY model and then to develop ideas about his project with a group of selected people out of this network.

The director was given the advice of looking beyond people with direct links to education or ICT and rather to consider people from alternative experiences or expertise.

For the network inventory, the principal used the school administration together

with his suppliers, his own network such as directors of other schools, LinkedIn connections but also acquaintances and members of his sports club. And of course, he also mapped out his clients, the parents of his pupils.

All these names were “siloed” in the domains of the sustainizability model. After

careful selection, several people were deemed suitable to participate in a reflection

session on the more detailed project plan.

As a next step, the director contacted these people to invite them to participate

in a brain-storming evening session (CIMBY) and to set a date. Some were able to connect the plans with other initiatives. Resources and finances were identified and Digihelden emerged. Initially, Digihelden was intended for two schools, but by working together with partners who helped to think bigger, the Digiheldenbus now runs throughout the village for all seven schools. There is a good business plan to assure the sustainizability of the original idea.