Burengesprek Botlek Europoort

An open and constructive conversation between companies, authorities and local residents. That is the main goal of Burengesprek Botlek Europoort. We achieve this by creating a sense of community in which transparency and trust are central. By talking to each other, sharing ideas, asking questions and centralizing information about safe living and working, we keep the area liveable and safe. Now and in the future.  

Together with the board of Burengesprek, Bijl PR ensures that both businesses and residents feel heard. We are also in frequent contact with local authorities such as DCMR Environmental Protection Agency and the Rotterdam-Rijnmond Safety Region. To do so, we deploy the following resources, among others:  

• We share news from companies in the Botlek-Europoort area, but also give a voice and face to residents of the area. We do this on a newly built website. 

• We use a multichannel approach to engage the conversation, from residents’ meetings to webinars and from street interviews to company visits. 

• We create different types of content: from news articles about new developments or incidents to resident stories about the proud feeling they have for their neighbourhood.  

• We use creative means such as video and spoken word. 

• With the social media channels, we have created a place where residents can share their questions or opinions and where sensitive topics can and may be discussed.   

• We invite supporters and opponents of specific topics to meetings for discussions.    

In contact with the neighbours

Bijl PR advises companies at the start of Burengesprek to involve local residents more. Not talking to them but having a mutual conversation. What questions do they have? What are they up against? We combine this with the knowledge and expertise of approximately 20 affiliated companies in the area. In this way, we increase mutual understanding.  

In close cooperation with the board of Burengesprek Botlek Europoort, Bijl PR develops relevant content, provides webcare and ensures that local residents get to know Burengesprek Botlek Europoort each week. We also maintain contact with the companies and authorities regarding current developments. And we share the voice of residents by interviewing them and answering their questions in the video series ‘Questions from the Neighbourhood’. 

Every year, we organise an event to which we invite member companies, authorities and residents of the various municipalities to talk about safe living and working in and around Botlek-Europoort. We also organise regular online events. For instance, during the corona pandemic, residents could ask questions to the companies during a webinar.   

Five years after its launch, Burengesprek Botlek Europoort is well knownw in the area. Member companies recognise the added value of the platform, and the number of participating companies continues to grow. Residents know how to find the platform and draw attention to various topics there. This creates daily commotion on the socials and valuable insights for all parties. The success of the ‘Questions from the neighbourhood’ video series has played an important role in this.  

Our time investment in liaising with various parties, such as the board of the Burengesprek, the village and neighbourhood councils of the municipalities, action groups and authorities, has ensured that quick action can be taken when necessary.  

This resulted in a great residents’ meeting on hydrogen and the disposal and storage of C02 under the North Sea in 2024. With over 90 people present, there were good discussions about keeping Botlek-Europoort future-proof. An evening that promises more interesting discussions to follow.