In Their World: neurodivergentie ervaren met Immersive Technology
In Their World is an immersive technology that lets key contacts and government staff experience what contact with the government can feel like for neurodivergent residents, such as people with autism or ADHD. Through realistic VR scenarios, users experience the impact of sensory stimuli, language, time pressure and social situations. They then practise communication and adjustments that make these interactions more accessible. The solution helps professionals recognise neurodivergent needs earlier and connect better with residents. In doing so, In Their World strengthens empathy and inclusive communication, and contributes to a stronger connection between government and citizens. Source: public phase 1 summaries, RVO
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De Blikopener
A crisis reveals just how important a neighbourhood's social infrastructure really is. De Blikopener is a hybrid method that helps municipalities, safety regions and civil society organisations work with residents to strengthen local community resilience. The method uses digital tools, physical interventions and community activation to make residents, key figures, resources, safe spaces and informal networks visible. This helps residents and professionals find each other more quickly before, during and after an emergency, even when formal aid is limited. De Blikopener helps build stronger neighbourhoods, because a neighbourhood is stronger when you already know your neighbours before a crisis hits. Source: public phase 1 summaries, RVO
WijkWijs
WijkWijs is a mobile app that helps residents prepare for a crisis at neighbourhood level. Under normal circumstances, users follow a playful AR trail past emergency facilities and key locations in their own neighbourhood, complete with immersive explanations and an AI assistant. When the internet goes down, the app switches to an offline crisis mode featuring a local map, and the on-device AI assistant remains available. The feasibility study is being carried out by Dutch Rose Media/4DR Studios in Eindhoven, with Magic Trailz and Mear Fryslân as operational partners and the municipality of Eindhoven serving as the test site. Source: public phase 1 summaries, RVO
WijZijnWaterproof
WijZijnWaterproof helps residents prepare for large-scale flooding. Climate and water data are translated into realistic VR/3D scenarios, allowing residents to see what flooding could mean for their own street and home. They are then supported in working together to make concrete preparations and agreements with one another. The approach pays particular attention to vulnerable residents, aiming to strengthen the resilience and mutual self-reliance of neighbourhoods. In phase 1, Witteveen+Bos and C4Real are investigating technical and social feasibility, data linkages, privacy, and opportunities for scaling up through municipalities, among other things. Source: public phase 1 summaries, RVO
Tussen straat en systeem
Robin de Lange is developing immersive training for key professionals who deal with homeless people in their daily work. Participants experience just how complex everyday life on the streets can be, and practise handling situations where people react with distrust, confusion, anger or withdrawal. Language and cultural differences add a further layer of challenge. The training is aimed at neighbourhood police officers, library staff, youth workers and community coaches, among others. For this group, dealing effectively with homeless people is part of everyday practice. Source: public summaries phase 1, RVO
Onzichtbare Helden: immersive buurttraining voor collectief handelen in crises
Invisible Heroes is a mixed reality neighbourhood training in which residents experience a crisis in their own area together. Using a VR headset, they see digital crisis information about their own street, for example during a prolonged power outage, flooding or a heatwave. Together, they practise the role they and their neighbours can play. The training is designed for municipalities and safety regions to prepare residents for situations where emergency services cannot be everywhere at once. Its contribution to social inclusion and cohesion lies here: neighbours who barely knew each other experience something meaningful together and discover each other's strengths, regardless of language, background or education. Everyone has something to offer. This builds trust in the street, even outside crisis situations. The first customers are municipalities and safety regions. In phase 1, Inner Group is researching feasibility in 2 pilot sites, together with the fire service, Rotterdam-Rijnmond Safety Region, immersive designers (Framespace) and welfare organisations. Source: public phase 1 summaries, RVO
De Drempel Over
De Drempel Over ('Crossing the Threshold') is a mobile escape experience housed in a converted caravan. In it, key professionals experience first-hand what it's like for vulnerable citizens to get stuck — for example due to low literacy, digital exclusion, or distrust of government. A debrief afterwards directly links this experience back to their own work. Key professionals often understand the problems facing their target group in theory, but don't really feel them. As a result, their approach doesn't always match what vulnerable citizens actually need. The experience is designed for neighbourhood teams, social workers and other professionals who bridge the gap between citizens and government. By making people experience these problems rather than just explaining them, De Drempel Over deepens understanding of vulnerable residents and encourages better-suited support and communication. Source: public summaries phase 1, RVO