Anja van Hout

With over 30 years of experience in public administration and organizational development, I specialize in guiding public institutions through processes of cultural and democratic change. My work focuses on the intersection of civic participation, organizational capacity-building, and diversity and inclusion — translating strategic ambitions into tangible results with my feet in the clay. From 2023 to 2025, I served as Lead Expert for the URBACT Agents of Co-Existence network, guiding nine European cities through a collective learning journey on how local governments can organize themselves to work more meaningfully and responsibly with their citizens. 

I bring a strong capacity for facilitating organizational and ethical reflection within institutions on complex and novel challenges — a skill I have applied across diverse domains including cultural change, diversity and inclusion, and the governance of digital participation tools. When I am working with organizations, my work is not just about "coming up with answers", i.e. not just giving advice, but converting advice into tangible results with my feet in the clay.
In my work, I am inventive and creative, I think outside of the box and dare to go against the mainstream. I am sincere, reliable and motivated to support good causes selflessly. I would rather focus on others and work on common goals, than putting myself first. For me open mindedness is key, getting to know new points of views and angles, with a good sense of humour. A day without a smile simply is not an option for me! 

Besides fulfilling my professional duties, I spend most of my time with my teenage children and walking with our dog Pip. Further, I like a good evening out (dancing, just go out for a drink, a movie or theatre, all fine by me). I am a big football fan (#PSV EINDHOVEN) and although it says nothing of my qualities an expert for URBACT-project I would like to finish saying that I am an absolute chocolate lover (#guilty pleasure).