The Eigen Kracht-conference

The Eigen Kracht-conference is a meeting during which a person makes a plan for the future, together with family and friends. The Eigen Kracht-conference is organized by an independent coordinator, who will not benefit from the result of the conference or the contents of the plan. The Eigen Kracht-coordinator informs all participants about the goal, work method, possibilities and everyone’s responsibilities and sees to it that everyone can participate safely. The Eigen Kracht-coordinator also stimulates practical matters, like invitations, finding a location, food and drink.

For whom

Eigen Kracht-conferences are meant for everyone. Since 2001, the Eigen Kracht Centrale has organized thousands of Eigen Kracht-conferences for parents, youths, families, students, patients with severe and chronic illnesses, homeless people, school dropouts, clients in mental health care, tenants, prisoners, people who are at risk to be evicted, neighborhood residents, mentally or physically challenged people, and perpetrators and victims of a crime. It is available to individuals as well as to groups in neighborhoods and communities.

The Eigen Kracht Centrale deploys Eigen Kracht-conferences in multiple areas, as each situation that requires a plan to be made and decisions to be taken, merits an Eigen Kracht-conference.

Three parts

In the First part of the Eigen Kracht-conference the Eigen Kracht-coordinator explains the situation. Government officials, or professionals speaking on their behalf, are to give information during this part: why does a plan have to be made and, if necessary, what help is available. The second part is called private time, during which the plan is made. Neither professionals nor the Eigen Kracht-coordinator are present during this session. In the third  part of the conference, the plan is presented. Support from professionals may be part of the plan, if required by the family group. Finally, agreements are made as to who does what, who will meet with whom when the plan does not work out as intended, and when an evaluation meeting will be held.