Introducing the Dynamic Duo of Southwest Twente
News alert, folks! Southwest Twente is about to get a little bit livelier with the entrance of Nienke and Maarten as the new coordinators for the LEADER program from 2024 to 2027. A round of applause, please! Martha van Abbema, the chair of the LEADER Action Group (LAG), is already buzzing with excitement. You’d think she just won the lottery! She proclaimed, “A beautiful duo who can help us to further support wonderful LEADER projects in Southwest Twente.” And if that doesn’t sound like a quote from a rom-com script, I don’t know what does!
But what is this magical LEADER method, you ask? Well, for over two decades—yes, two decades in rural terms is like a millennium—you’ve had this brilliant European initiative working tirelessly to transform our countryside into a hub of innovation and collaboration. Picture this: it’s a bottom-up approach that doesn’t just throw money at problems but instead focuses on community engagement and cohesion. It’s like Tinder, but for rural projects—swipe right for collaboration!
Meet Nienke Jannink
Now, let’s talk about Nienke. At 36, she’s already checking all the right boxes: mother of two, a Beckum resident, and a proud farm girl from Bentelo. That’s right, folks—Nienke grew up amidst poultry and pigs. Talk about an impressive background! With her experience as a participation advisor at AnnoNu, she isn’t just talking the talk; she’s been busting her chops to get villagers involved. She even volunteers at her children’s school. Move over, supermom—Nienke is here to spice up Twente with vibrant initiatives that make it more beautiful and livable. Sounds like she’s ready to mix things up, doesn’t it?
Enter Maarten Bomans
And now, meet Maarten, the dapper 42-year-old with a heart of gold. Married to Maaike and a father of two, he’s rolling up his sleeves in the village of Markelo. As chairman of the Herike-Elsen neighborhood council, Maarten isn’t just the guy you see at community BBQs—he’s organizing activities for everyone from toddlers to seniors. Talk about a social butterfly! He’s also deep into socio-economic development projects, because, why not juggle charitable work and consultancy, right? If you think your dinner parties are busy, just wait until you see Maarten in action!
Nienke and Maarten begin their roles on November 1, 2024, ready to take the baton from Paul Goudberg, who has been the temporary coordinator. Let’s hope he gave them the secrets to the job, or at least a solid supply of coffee!
“I think it is important to listen to people’s great ideas and see what is possible to implement these ideas.” – Maarten Bomans
Whether you reside in Southwest Twente or just have a keen interest in community initiatives, keep your eyes peeled for these two! They promise to be the drivers, connectors, and supporters we need. And let’s be real—even if they falter, at least we’ll have some entertaining stories to tell, right?
