This paper is a case report of why and how CDIO became a shared framework for Community Service Engineering (CSE) education. CSE can be defined as the engineering of products, product-service combinations or services that fulfill well-being and health needs in the social domain, specifically for vulnerable …

How to transform your city into a carbon-neutral community?

The aim of this study was to determine the similarities and differences in social network characteristics, satisfaction and wishes with respect to the social network between people with mild or borderline intellectual disabilities (ID), people with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and a reference group. …

The exploration of the narrative nature of local memory websites in relation to empowerment theory produces new insights in the nested levels of analysis of both. Empowerment’s value orientation calls for a focus on strengths instead of weaknesses and, as such, requires specific language that accommodates …

This paper provides insights into the operational features of community-based financing mechanisms. These include CAF groups, which are self-financed communities where people save and lend money to each other. The implementation of such self-financed communities in the Netherlands is supported by Participatory …

Crowdfunding is an emerging phenomenon that is taking the idea of investment into a new and never before seen level. Organizations and individuals find themselves achieving successful results by relying on widely dispersed individuals rather than professional investors. The main aim of this thesis centers …

Chapter of a report that presents a case study of the City of Heerlen, Netherlands, a shrinking city that identifies cultural policy as an important factor in vitalising the city. Heerlen has made significant investments into culture and is experiencing a “cultural spring”. This promotes a positive climate …

Over recent years aspects of sustainability have claimed a central role in many countries. As a result research for sustainability has become an important driver for innovation. This paper describes developing a model that supports SMEs in integrating sustainability in their business and innovation processes. In …

Social media have become an important element of modern society in a short period of time. Social media are online tools to connect people; it implies the development of publication to conversation and from sending to dialogue (Social Media Update 2010, 2010, p.2). It is important to keep in mind that …

This thesis was written for the purpose of Demography Prize for young scientist 2008/2009: “How can opportunities for Young people be activated in regions with shrinking population” by Institute for demographic future (idz), Oberursel, Germany.In this thesis one possible answer to the question: “How …