Tackling the energy crisis: 9 ways local councils turned to the Hoplr neighbourhoods
"Sleepwalking from crisis to crisis," Christophe Peeters, president of the Social Services Council of Ghent, wrote in this article from De Standaard.
First the pandemic. Then Ukraine. And now the energy crisis. Three times in three long years, the resilience of our society was seriously tested.
And now we, as a digital neighbourhood network, are noticing how citizens and governments alike are calling on the local community once more.
- In 2020, we saw a massive number of heartwarming neighbourhood initiatives popping up on Hoplr in the fight against (isolation during) the corona crisis.
- During the war in Ukraine, neighbours and city councils set up fundraising and volunteering activities through Hoplr to provide relief.
And now we are seeing the same thing happening with the energy crisis. But that does not surprise us: the neighbourhood offers huge potential in the face of rising energy prices. Think of car sharing and group purchases.
Moreover, 36 of our 120+ customers already addressed their Hoplr neighbourhoods concerning the energy crisis. To inspire others too, below we share the 9 ways they did.
Financial support
Emotional support
Info sessions
Help among residents
Initiatives from the neighbourhood
Participation
Protection against scams
Efforts from the council
Group purchases
Social cohesion lies at the foundation of a resiliant neighbourhood
Local community building has countless positive side effects for citizens. Including more sustainable actions, and hopefully lower energy bills.
Read about the dynamics that contribute to a resilient neighbourhood in our white paper 'Neighbourhood of the Future'.
Conclusion
Hoplr is there to reach out to local residents in the context of their neighbourhood. So make use of it! We hope the above examples from some local councils and welfare organisations can inspire you to make use of the neighbourhood potential yourself.
