4.1Transparent and Future Proof Governance

Democracy is not a given. It requires constant effort and continuous strengthening. Volt stands for transparent governance that is prepared for the future. To achieve this, we will:

• Make the agendas of alderpersons public, with due regard for safety and following the example set at national level.

• Introduce a lobbying register for the municipal council and executive board.

• Attach underlying policy advice to decisions where requested or appropriate.

• Establish a balanced municipal budget aligned with responsible debt and expenditure levels.

• Apply a generational impact assessment to our policies, allowing us to evaluate long term effects on Tilburg residents at an early stage.

4.2 Participation and Civic Engagement

• Use citizens’ assemblies as a permanent democratic instrument.

• Explore the possibility of an initiative similar to Lisboa Participa, enabling residents to submit proposals to the municipality through an online platform.

• Actively involve young people in local democracy by appointing a youth coordinator.

4.3 Safety

We aim for a safe city with less crime and nuisance. Camera surveillance can contribute to this, but will only be used when strictly necessary and never longer than required. We also prioritise digital security to ensure safety in an increasingly complex and changing environment.

• Invest in prevention to keep young people out of crime.

• Remain critical about the use of camera surveillance in the city: no more than necessary and no longer than necessary.

4.4 Resilience and Preparedness

The municipality, together with the regional safety authority, plays a role in responding to disasters and crises. Geopolitical tensions, hybrid threats and climate change are increasing these challenges. Municipalities must be better prepared.

Volt wants Tilburg to actively cooperate with other municipalities, the Safety Region of Midden and West Brabant, Platform WeerbaarNL and the Association of Netherlands Municipalities to strengthen resilience and preparedness.

Together with Tilburg based companies and social organisations, we will identify risks and develop action plans for potential disruptions, such as prolonged power outages, limited water availability or reduced accessibility due to infrastructure failures.

4.5 Coffeeshop Policy

We support continued regulated and legal sales of cannabis and hashish in the city. This policy must be continuously monitored, evaluated and enforced.

4.6 A Digital Government

• Improve the digital accessibility of municipal services. Online services should become simpler, while ensuring support for residents who lack digital skills or internet access.

• Maintain physical service desks for residents who are not digitally proficient.

• Conduct annual checks to ensure all municipal websites are accessible to everyone.

• Strengthen cybersecurity to protect data and prevent breaches.

• Explore the possibility of storing municipal data within Europe.

• Further enhance the digital security of municipal websites and applications.

4.7 Street Harassment and Safety

Addressing street harassment requires more than awareness campaigns. To tackle the issue at its roots, we will work with sports clubs, schools, associations and student organisations. Only through collective action can we achieve lasting solutions.

• Policy often focuses on perpetrators and victims, but overlooks the largest group: bystanders of sexually inappropriate behaviour.

• Provide professionals, from enforcement officers to civil servants, with tools to address sexual misconduct in a trauma sensitive way, both in the workplace and when engaging with residents.

• Collaborate with residents, preferably including people with lived experience, to develop more effective prevention strategies.

• Use the municipality’s role model function by implementing small scale, recurring prevention campaigns aimed at empowering bystanders.

• Involve women in the design of public space to make Tilburg more inclusive and ensure women feel safer.