HSV operates in a rural area located to the south of the city of Tilburg which can be characterised as having a mix of tourism, commuting, agriculture and light industry. Residents have inherited a rich cultural tradition of self-reliance, shaped by centuries of enduring harsh conditions. Like many other rural regions, this area is confronted with several challenges, including an ageing population, the impacts of climate change, the transition to sustainable agriculture, and the consequences of high-tech activities. In response to these challenges, the local community has shown a strong commitment to initiating bottom-up, cooperative projects aimed at enhancing living conditions. However, individuals looking to kick-start such projects often face various hurdles, including the fragmentation of services across public and private entities and inconsistencies in legislation and regulations.

These obstacles complicate effective navigation of the system, resulting in missed opportunities and untapped potential due to insufficient support. In response to these challenges, HSV places strong emphasis on a holistic, community-driven approach that actively involves local residents. Rather than merely addressing problems, its policy aims to empower the Hilvarenbeek community to take an active role in shaping its own development. HSV therefore serves as a bridge between initiatives and available expertise. The process involves citizen-led initiatives addressing various local issues collectively.

To establish and facilitate a collaborative network that unites various public and private stakeholders, including experts, to work together in the execution of community-driven initiatives designed to address societal-economical-environmental challenges in the rural Hilvarenbeek area. 

HSV provides support for collective bottom-up initiatives, acting as an enabler rather than taking control. Its assistance includes developing ideas, exploring funding opportunities and securing policy support for residents who want to implement local projects. This approach is grounded in leveraging the strengths of the local community, not as a response to problems but as a means to systematically enhance the vitality and capabilities of the Hilvarenbeek community, enabling it to shape its own development. The development advisors involved are locally based and deeply committed to addressing local challenges. These advisors possess a range of expertise, skills and experience spanning spatial planning, community building, public and business administration, legal affairs, project management, organisational development and fundraising, among others. HSV acts as a connector, making sure bottom-up initiatives receive the right support to flourish. HSV's approach to addressing the evolving trends and transition of the rural area aligns with the Brundtland principles of sustainable development: economic (profit), spatial (planet) and societal (people). Each project or initiative is unique in its characteristics, milestones and key contributors. However, they all share a common focus on benefiting the community, with tailor-made involvement from private and public institutions. HSV has effectively supported numerous initiatives across various domains. A few illustrative examples include transforming a declining local pub into a community centre, reinforcing efforts to revitalize a village neighbourhood by upgrading a community centre, empowering the board of a youth music centre, and supporting an initiative for communal housing for elderly individuals.

What sets this initiative apart is its unwavering commitment to a bottom-up approach, choosing to support self-initiated efforts rather than take control. One of the main challenges is the scepticism of established institutions to support new projects. Where beneficial, HSV guides the way to funding opportunities sometimes allowing for a modest remuneration for deployed experts. The Brundtland approach ensures sustainability. A key lesson learned is the importance of transparent communication about tangible results to the public. Equally important is maintaining open lines of communication between supported initiatives and the lasting commitment of development advisors. This requires a dedicated board of directors and a well-organised management structure.