Texel Big Day

Texel Big Day

Once a year on the island of Texel, a 24-hour competition takes place for mainland and island birding groups. The goal is to explore the island by bike and identify as many bird species as possible within 24 hours. It is a sponsored event, which takes place annually on the second weekend of May. The event receives approximately €15,000 in funding from sponsors which is made available to the local Texel birding organization. The money is subsequently invested into conservation activities to help protect the island’s endangered bird species like beach plovers, house martins, etc. The initiators and drivers of the competition are local organizations, foresters, as well as National Park Texel, including the regional and island municipality.

Example of strategy 5D:

Organize Community Competitions

Another way to involve the community in new developments is to challenge them and other stakeholders via competitions. The local government can choose to initiate its own competition, like on “who hasthe best idea for a sustainable neighbourhood?”, or choose to supporta competition initiated by industries, SMEs, local science institutes, etc. The awards do not necessarily have to include high-cost premium prizes. Often the honour of winning is significant enough to drive participation.Since nowadays so many competitions are on national television shows, like “The Best Idea of ….” and “Design and Entrepreneurship Competitions” it might be worthwhile to look at their formulas as well, to create a “Best Idea of Island X”, or a student/young entrepreneurs competition with support of local media, etc.

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