Building a living South Veluwe watershed in the Netherlands

Our Movement: Building a Living Watershed

We're reimagining our relationship with the land and each other. Our vision? A thriving watershed where community resilience matters more than profit, where restoration of landscape and culture go hand-in-hand.

The Challenge

The South Veluwe Watershed faces a critical crisis: severe drought, contaminated soil and water, and vanishing biodiversity. We're losing pollinators, draining aquifers, and facing increased climate extremes—all while toxins accumulate in our environment.

Our Solution

With partners including Climate Grandparents, Drinkable Rivers and StreekWaar Agroecological Farmers, we're campaigning for a toxin-free community. We're helping residents and businesses transition to pesticide-free alternatives—starting with food and flowers— while building a stronger culture of care for the territory and the community.

Our Three-Part Strategy

Changing Mindsets: Through storytelling, farm visits, the use of art and pop-up markets, we're transforming toxic-free living from "radical" to "realistic and appealing." Youth ambassadors amplify this message.

Changing Practice: We promote concrete recommendations for residents and offer practical toolkits that facilitate lasting and structural behaviour change.

Shifting Power: By amplifying farmer and resident voices, we're increasing their visibility, agency and networks where it matters most.

Together, we're proving that a thriving, toxin-free community isn't just possible—it's essential.