The aim of the Oostvaarders’ banks project is physically connecting the lakes of Markermeer, Oostvaardersplassen and Lepelaarplassen, thereby improving the water quality of the Markermeer. In addition, the innovative water construction project is making the area more attractive and the water more attractive for recreation. The province of Flevoland, Rijkswaterstaat (the Dutch Directorate-General for Public Works and Water Management), the Flevolandschap Foundation, the Zuiderzeeland Regional Water Authority, the Dutch Forestry Commission and the municipalities of Lelystad and Almere are working together to achieve this objective. In order to make a start on communication and participation in anticipation of the go-ahead from MIRT (the Dutch Multi-Year Programme for Infrastructure, Spatial Planning and Transport), the project’s core team has asked VINU to draw up the participation strategy.