Stone breaker of the Year election
Steenbreker van het Jaar
With the recurring Steenbreker van het Jaar election (Stone breaker of the Year), Stichting Steenbreek is looking for innovative and inspiring examples that contribute to improving biodiversity, health, climate adaptation, with a consideration for social cohesion.
From all entries, the jury nominated five projects for this 9th edition. This year once again, many inspiring initiatives came in from all over The Netherlands. The winner will be announced on October 9 during the Nationale Groendag (National Green Day) in Groningen.
“The jury was pleasantly surprised with all the different large and small initiatives from both residents and municipalities. All participants deserve kudos!” said Margot Ribberink, chairman of the jury. “It is great to see that municipality and residents need each other. A beautiful interplay in which energy from the bottom up is increasingly used as well. It was noticed that improving biodiversity or climate adaptation is not always the reason to go green. There is clearly a need to improve liveability. Green connects people.”
Award ceremony
The winner will be announced at the National Green Day on Thursday 9 October in Groningen. Jury chairman Margot Ribberink will explain the jury’s considerations at that time. The jury further consists of: Robert Graat (Staatsbosbeheer), Ans Hobbelink (AVVN Samen natuurlijk tuinieren), Henk Kuijpers (Stadswerk), Linda IJmker (IVN Natuureducatie), Wendy Bakker (municipality of Rijswijk), Ben Roet.
More information can be found at:
www.steenbreek.nl/steenbrekervanhetjaar
Genomineerden bekend
Nominated for the Stonebreaker of the Year Election 2025 (in random order):
- Alexandertuin Utrecht
Between the flats scattered around Kanaleneiland are several small squares with a playground equipment here and there, some neglected bushes, litter and weeds. A group of residents on Alexander de Grotelaan saw more potential in the square and had a dream to turn the square into a green garden. - Flowering Neighbourhood Garland Harderwijk
The Zeebuurt and the Stadsdennen neighbourhood are the two most petrified neighbourhoods in Harderwijk. Municipality of Harderwijk, housing cooperative Uwoon teamed up with residents in front gardens to create a joint “Flowering Neighbourhood Garland”: a continuous mixed planting strip about 1m wide. - Operation Steenbreek Dieren-West
A team of three neighbourhood residents is the driving force behind Operation Steenbreek Dieren-West. All kinds of communication actions, activities, excursions and much more are organised throughout the year. A project for and by residents with a little support from the Municipality of Rheden. A green community in the neighbourhood has been created. - Steenbreek Groene Dorp Alphen aan den Rijn
The Groene Dorp in Alphen aan den Rijn was quite petrified but that has now changed. In recent years, the Municipality of Alphen aan den Rijn and Woonforte have worked together with great enthusiasm and commitment to green several streets. A green neighbourhood is a nice neighbourhood for residents. - Greening up the Krakeel Hoogeveen centre area
Hoogeveen is one of the most petrified cities in The Netherlands. Krakeel is Hoogeveen’s most urbanised neighbourhood. By giving priority to greening this very area, residents see and experience that removing paving leads to less water nuisance and less heat. A pleasant environment suitable for meetings and activities.
