News from the village, delivered straight to your phone

"People no longer want to search for information themselves. They want the information to come to them."

"There were actually two reasons for this," Berend explains. "For years, we kept residents informed through a door-to-door newsletter. That was getting more and more expensive. Plus, you want to be able to share news as it happens, rather than waiting for the next issue of the newsletter."

While searching for an alternative, Plaatselijk Belang came across the village app. “We saw something about it and got in touch with the developer, Johannes Bergsma. We hit it off right away. The app’s strength lies in its simplicity. Really, all you need are news articles and events. For more information, you can always link to a website.”

Information provided to residents 

Berend notes that the way people search for and receive information has changed. "We realized that residents don't just go to the website on their own. That's different now than it used to be. People want the information to come to them. So we thought: we just have to start doing this."

The municipality also sees the village app as a great opportunity to reach residents directly. Alderman Bert Koonstra wholeheartedly supports the initiative. “We’d like to keep residents informed about what’s happening in their neighborhood. Think, for example, of work being done on the dikes, an opening ceremony, or another event in the village. Through the village app, that information is delivered directly to residents’ phones. It’s a great addition to the other ways we keep residents informed.”

The app will serve as a central platform for the village. Not only will the local community association be able to post messages, but clubs, foundations, and other nonprofit organizations will also have a place there.

"We're really excited about this. We're already in contact with forty to fifty organizations. The app is a great opportunity for smaller clubs—especially those without their own website or communication channel—to gain visibility."

Greater engagement 

With the village app, the local community association hopes to further increase residents' engagement. Residents can easily stay informed about everything going on in their village.

"Most users probably want to receive all messages, but you can also turn off notifications if you prefer. That way, everyone can use the app in their own way."

Major campaign to mark the launch 

To ensure that as many residents as possible start using the app, Plaatselijk Belang is launching a broad campaign. "We're distributing flyers door-to-door in Beetsterzwaag and Olterterp. We're doing this ourselves. Our goal is for as many residents as possible to download and start using the app."

When is the app considered a success? 

For Berend, the answer to that is clear. "I’ll consider it a success if a large group of adults and young people in the village use the app. But above all, if clubs and organizations that currently have few opportunities to spread their message are given a platform through the app. If we achieve that, we’ll have created something wonderful."

He’s also already looking further ahead. “I think the app could even play a role in the future when it comes to the village’s quality of life and resilience. But first, we’re focusing on getting off to a good start.”

And what would he say to residents who have reservations about the app?
“Just download it. It’s free, easy to use, and keeps you up to date on everything happening in your own village. That way, you won’t miss a thing going on in Beetsterzwaag and Olterterp.”

How does the village app work? 

The village app is an app that allows residents to quickly and easily get information about everything happening in the village. Local interest groups, clubs, and the municipality can post news updates and event announcements. Residents receive this information directly through the app on their phones, so they don’t have to search websites or social media themselves. For more detailed information, users can click through from the app to a website or other source.

Would you like a village app for your village, too?

For the local community association, the village app is a very simple and quick way to share information and engage residents in important and fun activities taking place in their own village.

The municipality supports the use of the village app and provides grants to villages that want to start using it. In this way, we work together to strengthen communication between residents, associations, volunteer organizations, and the municipality.

Curious about the possibilities for your village? Please contact the Village Team at dorpenteam@opsterland.nl.