Insights

The meeting produced a number of interesting insights:

  • Embedding it in policy helps maintain momentum: The Healthy School approach has more impact when it is explicitly made part of municipal policy and linked to existing priorities, such as GALA/AZWA.
  • Connection prevents fragmentation: Aligning with existing programmes (such as JOGG, OKO and education policy) creates greater coherence and reach.
  • The strength lies in connecting policy and practice: Success arises when policy and implementation are connected. Two roles are particularly important here: the Healthy School adviser (from the public health service), who acts as a link between the municipality, school and partners, and the Healthy School coordinator (at the school), who drives implementation in practice. By connecting these roles effectively and involving the Healthy School adviser in existing meetings, greater coherence is created and policy is better implemented in practice.
  • Cooperation – both internal and external – makes the difference: Not only cooperation around schools, but also within municipalities (e.g. between education, health and sports) is crucial.
  • Start small and work step by step: Focused, achievable steps often yield more than ambitious plans and help create momentum and support.

Concrete examples

Two concrete examples from the region were discussed during the meeting:

In Ede, work is underway on a multi-year plan in which the municipality, public health service and partners work together. First, an overview was made of who does what around schools and where there is overlap or opportunity. A baseline measurement among schools served as the starting point. On this basis, work is proceeding step by step on shared priorities and further cooperation. The municipality has explicitly established that the Healthy School adviser is the connecting link with external parties, so that schools are not approached by several parties at the same time.

In Veenendaal, the Healthy School approach is connected to the Opgroeien in een Kansrijke Omgeving (OKO) and JOGG approaches. Work is organised along the lines of family, school and leisure time. The Healthy School adviser is part of the core team and works closely with partners such as JOGG. This ensures short communication lines and prevents fragmentation.

From insight to action: what can you do tomorrow?

The meeting also provided advice on how to take the next step. This often involves smartly connecting and further strengthening what is already in place. A number of examples were mentioned:

  • Look at where the Healthy School approach already appears in policy or implementation plans (e.g. GALA/AZWA).
  • Put the Healthy School approach on the agenda of existing education or local youth meetings (e.g. LEA, principals’ meetings, youth network meetings), together with the Healthy School adviser.
  • Connect with ongoing programmes (e.g. JOGG, OKO or youth policy).
  • Talk to a colleague within the municipality (e.g. in education, safety, sustainability, public space, health, sports or youth).
  • Actively involve the Healthy School adviser in both policy and implementation.
  • Start small: choose one theme, colleague or meeting and build from there.

Stronger together for a healthy youth

In 2022, Healthy School published ‘Stronger together for a healthy youth; Ingredients for successful cooperation’. The booklet contains ten inspiring examples from places across the Netherlands where cooperation works well. It also contains ten ingredients for healthy cooperation:

1 Start by developing a shared vision and ambition.

2 Connect with current developments in education and the municipality.

3 Take the time to get to know each other’s worlds.

4 Be mindful of each other’s interests and motives.

5 Ensure administrative commitment.

6 Keep ‘the figure eight’ close.

7 Safeguard the cooperation agreements.

8 Look for smart connections.

9 Aim to remove barriers between budgets.

10 Facilitate a central connecting person.