English

Poverty is no longer limited to those without work. More and more working residents are struggling to make ends meet. That is why we helped establish the ‘Stichting voor Urgente Noden’ (Foundation for Urgent Needs) and why we want to expand this fund to soften the impact of new austerity measures.

Poverty and energy poverty affect not only finances, but also health and security. We believe in tailored solutions and extra support for residents living in poorly insulated homes. No one should be left behind.

Prevention comes first

Early assistance and strong cooperation with social partners help prevent problematic debt. And let us be clear: discrimination against people with debt is unacceptable.

Support for victims of the childcare benefits scandal

Victims in Amstelveen continue to receive active support. Although limited access to case files is beyond the municipality’s control, we remain vigilant and committed to helping wherever possible

Language connects us. Strong Dutch language education lays the foundation for equal opportunities and helps pupils from all backgrounds succeed. At the same time, more and more students are struggling within the current education system. Performance pressure is rising. Sensory overload is increasing. Support needs differ. Developmental pace varies. Inclusive education must become a reality by 2035. We are closely monitoring schools in Amstelveen to ensure they meet this goal — and that every child who needs extra support can receive it within our municipality. And let’s not forget something essential: Play matters. Children need space to explore, create and grow. We are committed to safe, adventurous and natural play areas throughout Amstelveen.

More GPs, closer to residents

We are proud to have initiated the new medical centre on Bovenkerkerweg — but we are not stopping there. The shortage of general practitioners must be reduced. With flexible workspaces for new doctors, we ensure fast access to good care in every neighbourhood.

Support for informal carers

Informal carers are the backbone of our society. They deserve recognition, practical support and real appreciation.

Housing that adapts to life stages

An ageing population means a growing need for senior housing and care homes. Adapted homes and lifetime-proof housing must become a priority — and we must continuously review where and how these can be realised.

Working together for care and safety

Strong cooperation between police, public health services, mental health providers and care institutions prevents crises and ensures quick, appropriate support.

Mentally resilient young people

Young people are under immense pressure. We want to invest in prevention, child therapists, psychologists and certified professionals who take a holistic approach. Early support makes all the difference.

Water quality in and around Amstelveen is under pressure. Pollution, PFAS and increasing drought are real threats — and we must act now.

Góed voor Amstelveen wants to strengthen the green and water fund, invest in additional water storage and take a tougher stance against illegal discharges. Rising pollution could lead to drinking water shortages within 5–10 years. That means we must invest in water extraction and purification capacity today — not tomorrow.

We also believe in awareness and responsibility. Clear public campaigns can encourage smarter water use and behavioural change. And we want to accelerate the structural dredging of ponds and waterways to improve long-term water health. Clean water is not optional. It is essential. Climate Goals – Realistic and Achievable Góed voor Amstelveen stands for a realistic, achievable and affordable approach to climate and energy goals. The energy transition is slowing down. Meanwhile, particulate matter from major polluters remains one of the most pressing concerns. That is where the focus should be.

Góed voor Amstelveen stands for a realistic, achievable and affordable approach to climate and energy goals. The energy transition is slowing down. Meanwhile, particulate matter from major polluters remains one of the most pressing concerns. That is where the focus should be.

Green spaces and biodiversity are vital for our health, our food supply and clean air. Amstelveen is known for its greenery — trees, parks and space for wildlife — but this is increasingly under pressure.

Soil subsidence and waterlogging threaten the delicate balance of our peat and clay soils. These soils create beautiful and diverse vegetation, but they require expertise and careful management.

The challenges are visible. At the cherry blossom park, for example, root rot shows how climate change and soil subsidence directly affect our natural heritage.

Protecting green spaces is not just about beauty — it is about resilience and long-term liveability.

Protecting Our Open Landscape The Groene Scheg Amstelland is under growing pressure from urbanisation. Yet this area is crucial for nature, biodiversity and recreation. It requires strong regional cooperation and active management — including collaboration with De Boeren van Amstelland. Agriculture must become more sustainable and play a stronger role in water management.

As recreation increases, we also need better facilities and consistent structural maintenance. Protecting this landscape means balancing nature, farming and public enjoyment — responsibly and sustainably.

Animal welfare is not a side issue. It is a moral responsibility. Thanks to our efforts, residents on a minimum income can receive up to €300 in reimbursement for veterinary costs. Because caring for a pet should never become financially impossible.

We are tackling excessive veterinary fees and have reported irregularities to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority and the National Animal Protection Inspectorate — leading to parliamentary questions.

We support the return of the European otter to the Amsterdamse Bos. We combat invasive species. We protect hedgehogs. We advocate better welfare standards for horses as herd animals. And we were the first party to put animal welfare policy firmly on the political agenda. Finally, we remain fully committed to establishing a local animal shelter for emergency rescue and proper care. Animal welfare matters – always.

A strong local economy starts with local entrepreneurs. Góed voor Amstelveen stands for fewer bureaucratic barriers, more freedom to do business and stronger local production — including farmers from the Amstel region.

Work must pay. We give special attention to the working poor and focus on strengthening self-reliance and livelihood security for all residents.

Large companies are interested in settling in Amstelveen. But housing shortages, parking pressure and the growing number of expats require careful decision-making. While the municipality has limited influence over national location policies, we believe it must make smart choices to protect the balance between economic growth and quality of life. Growth is welcome — but not at any cost.

Amstelveen must grow without losing its identity. We build for young people, first-time buyers, families, seniors and key workers — but always in balance. No excessive densification that sacrifices green space, liveability or quality of life.

We promote mobility through affordable senior housing, lifetime-proof homes and innovative housing concepts. We tackle vacancy and invest in the renovation of existing neighbourhoods — protecting them from overdevelopment.

Green spaces and accessible public areas are essential. So are meeting places that strengthen social cohesion. We build circularly and sustainably. And we expect that the housing corporation Eigen Haard will finally prioritise the renovation of outdated homes. Growth must strengthen our community — not weaken it.

Mobility should support everyday life. Public transport must be safe, accessible and reliable. We support widening the Kazernepad, improving accessibility for elderly residents and people with disabilities, strengthening connections between the hospital and neighbourhoods, installing lifts at metro and light rail stations, and ensuring safe evening transport for young people.

Even simple measures — such as Wi-Fi at stops — can improve safety and accessibility. Parking policy must be realistic. Many families depend on their cars to balance work and school. Additional spaces at De Verrekijker and structural solutions to parking pressure are needed — without imposing extra parking charges.

Practical solutions, not restrictions for the sake of restrictions.

A Healthy and Sustainable Amstelveen Amstelveen must remain clean, healthy and realistically sustainable. That means reusing materials, choosing clean energy sources and becoming more sustainable without making life unaffordable for residents. Common sense and affordability guide every decision. A healthy city is about more than climate targets. It is about:

• Good health care
• Good education
• Sufficient green space, water and nature
• A strong business climate
• Places to meet
• Attention to animal welfare
• Clean air
• Livelihood security
• Reliable governance

Good governance means listening.

Policy must reflect the wishes of the majority of residents. And when policy does not deliver the intended results, adjustments must follow.

For complaints that move through multiple municipal channels, a small ombudsman team could improve clarity and resolution. We believe in less bureaucracy and more practical solutions.

Financially, Amstelveen must remain strong and stable — with as little additional burden on residents as possible. National measures may affect affordability, even if the municipality has limited influence. That is precisely why careful financial management is essential.