Dr Marc Wever receives Gratama Foundation grant

Marc Wever, assistant professor of Administrative Law at our faculty, has been awarded a grant from the Gratama Foundation. With this grant, Wever will conduct research into the concept of ‘serviceability’ among government employees, legislators, judges, and citizens.

Relationship between government and citizens

About ten years ago, personal responsibility was central to citizens' relationship with the Dutch government. Much of the government's legislation and policy was based on mistrust of citizens.

The government now wants to transform the bureaucratic constitutional state into a responsive constitutional state, in which the government is there for the citizen (and not the other way around). In its contact with citizens, the government wants to apply a human touch and deliver tailor-made solutions in its decision-making.

In order to give concrete form to the government's ambitions in terms of a human touch and customization, it has been proposed that the principle of service be formulated in Article 2:4a of the General Administrative Law Act as follows: “In performing its duties, the administrative body shall act in a service-oriented manner”.

Views on serviceability

What does the concept of 'serviceability' mean to government employees who are expected to be service-minded? What does it mean for citizens towards whom the government must be service-minded? Do government employees understand service in the same way as legislators, judges, and citizens? These are the questions that Wever's research will answer. The research will start shortly and will be completed in May 2026.

Gratama grant

In cooperation with the Groninger University Fund Foundation, the Gratama Foundation offers the opportunity to financially support small-scale academic projects set up and carried out by the University of Groningen. Every year, all UG faculties are given the opportunity to apply for a grant from the foundation.The grant amount to be awarded is between €5,000 and €25,000.

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This article was published by the Faculty of Law.